neither snow nor rain

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

30 Sep 2026 - A  second day without wind and drizzle... has Bastet heard my plea?!  You might notice in this photo that I've taken up surveillance on a dry patch of boards... no dummy, moi.  A cat's color perception differs from that of peeps, but it seems to me the view of our surrounding woods is shifting to more mellow hues, no doubt due to Mr. Sol's negligence and the resulting dip in temperatures.  (It certainly can't be from lack of water, unless they've succumbed to drowning.)  I'm just glad that once again I can venture out on my personal screened deck, and that I can retreat when the job is done.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Make the most of the

hand you're dealt.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - impurrovement, the betterment of a feline's situation

don't messy with me

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

29 Sep 2026 - The nastiness abated enough this morning that I could make a quick round of my personal screened deck.  There were lots of smells to investigate (and rain water to sample), but I'm relieved to discover that the foul weather largely kaboshed the interloper invasion... actually the more accurate term would be "postponed", as the reason for their urgency still remains.  It would be naive of me to think my job is only for the summer.  On the other paw it is good to have year-round employment.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Realize that you can,

and should, only speak for yourself.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - silvacatlous, living in woodlands (that teem with interlopers)

going without

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

28 Sep 2026 - The middle of the day isn't quite as dark as in this picture... but, with all the gray clouds between us and Mr. Sol, not much cheerier.  I have largely abandoned my personal sun room.  Without "sun", it is just another space to patrol, and I make my inspection first thing and then leave it to be lashed by the wind and rain.  In between wet drops the interlopers are on the move, looking for a spot that is drier and warmer, even if only slightly.  I don't want to think about what would happen if I wasn't here to maintain law and order.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Pick your battles, and leave

the rest to sort itself out.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - dismeowl, gloomy (even through a cat's eyes)

hurry up

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

27 Sep 2026 - We cats aren't nocturnal animals.  We prowl the edges of night, but as you can attest, I otherwise do a lot of napping.  So I am always ready to retire for the evening, and the shorter peep often keeps me waiting.  But I bide my time (what other options do I have?) until she is settled into bed, and then I join her... two bodies are better for warmth.  Mr. Sol disappeared hours ago, and his effectiveness these days is minimal... which means we are on our own until tomorrow.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

An individual needs

one or two good friends.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - catrade, a feline chum

encore

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

26 Sep 2026 - "Walking the plank" is not a scary proposition for a cat:  firstly we are nimble-footed, and then there is the fact that a plank is actually pretty wide by our standards.  So one way to get from here to there, especially if I'm waiting for the appearance of my meal, is to tread the board.  And my persona is the same whether I'm on center stage (more likely under it) or alone in my personal sun room.  We may seem pretentious to the unfamiliar, but we are same-old-same-old creatures.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Don't put on an act

unless you're getting paid.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - upurright, not deceitful (I'm honestly me as the day is long)

move over

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

25 Sep 2026 - The one way to improve an available lap is to add miniature sol in a box - truly heaven, even if it ends before I'm ready.  The shorter peep is like me a heat-seeker, at least when she deems it chilly, so we are both glad for the other's company.  Our time will be all too short-lived, but why spoil the enjoyment thinking about its end?  While toasty warm I can catch up on my personal grooming and she, on her reading.  How fortunate that her habits often afford me a peep perch!

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Even a curmudgeon can

find pleasurable moments.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - inpurrobang, a cat's combination of what and wow

hot topic

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

24 Sep 2026 - Is it my imagination, or is it really warmer up here?  We have moved reluctantly into that season where one must keep watch for those random patches of heat.  The miniature sol in a box does a fine job, but the extent of his influence is limited to this sitting area... which means on a chilly evening all three of us will occupy ourselves here.  The peeps are often hunched over their favorite sorts of entertainment, but I'm content with napping and personal grooming.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Be aware of what is

going on around you.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrecund, modest (and I won't say anything more)

I wouldn't if I were you

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

23 Sep 2026 - Now that portals leading outdoors are no longer open for regular traffic, I have to adapt my surveillance.  It is still possible to keep my eyes and ears on half of our forest surroundings, but I've lost the ability to sniff the air and watch our western front.  There is no point in fretting, as these are the limitations, the facts, with which I must work.  I will continue to do my best job, and increase focus on the interior perimeter, lest an interloper sneak in.  There may be some unfortunate (for them) paw-to-paw encounters.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

You must play

a smart game.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - remeowse, a cat's uneasy conscience (not so hard to ignore)

be there in a sec

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

22 Sep 2026 - Cats seldom proceed from point A to point B in a straight line... too predictable.  Plus in my meanderings I check more places for indication of interloper activity.  Even when the destination holds in store good things, in this case my morning brush, I don't alter my route or hasten my pace.  I think this personality trait aggravates the shorter peep, but that is who I am... and besides, she is constantly making me wait for her.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

It is the little things

that can drive one to distraction.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - expurrected, able to be declared in advance (how boring)

things aren't looking up

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

21 Sep 2026 - How long will it take for my body heat to dry those clothes??  You may notice that the portal behind me is no longer open to the outside.  I miss being able to sniff the woodsy air, but am not willing to put up with the temperatures out there.  I am hopeful that Mr. Sol will make his way around to this side of the domicile, and beam down upon me... but that could be wishful thinking.  The miniature sol in a box has been keeping the sitting area quite nice, however its effect doesn't make it to this far corner... soon I may have to relocate.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Not all situations

are hopeful.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - meowribund, on the verge of freezing (or so it feels to me)

do I have to?

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

20 Sep 2026 - What a nice surprise to see Mr. Sol first thing this morning!  I suppose I really should begin my day, despite the persistent chill.  There is no doubt that the interlopers are stirring... didn't I just hear the scampering of feet on the roof overhead?!  Yes, a walk with a good pace will (eventually) warm me up, work out the kinks, and elevate my mood for what lies ahead.  But inertia is a powerful force, so you'll understand why I struggle to get started.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Some things you must

just push through.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - summeown, to rouse a cat into action

this too

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

19 Sep 2026 - Brrrr... the hinterland has turned cold.  Even the efforts by Mr. Sol are inadequate for this cat, of course he gets a later and later start each day.  The shorter peep and I aren't eager to leave the bed's warmth, but neither is the world waiting for us.  Were it not for the interloper threat, I would remain curled up somewhere.  However that is wishful thinking because the ne'er-do-wells number many and are driven by desperation.  My plan is to do a bit of work, huddle, do a bit of work... and hope that my personal sun room eventually lives up to its name.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

A promised reward

can be a motivator.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - emeowtional, involving a cat's feelings (my spirits could be higher)

watch power

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

18 Sep 2026 - My rounds obviously include the office space, but sometimes I do a more thorough investigation, hopping up and peering behind the facades.  I'm not sure what about this arrangement fascinates my peeps, but they do spend a lot of time here.  I'm not complaining, as it lessens the competition for those comfy cushions and it gives me a sure-thing lap if companionship/warmth is needed.  I have been known to pull an all-nighter here, mainly for reasons of deterring interlopers.  Like me, these trespassers have noticed that the tools of business emit heat... and there is a shortage at the moment.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Pay attention, lest

you be left behind.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - meownd the nap, to be attentive to one's concerns (first mine, then yours)