standing out

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

31 May 2026 - I've stepped out of the office momentarily, to check in with my other job, that of domicile protector.  It didn't require many minutes on my personal balcony to determine that, at this level, at this moment, there is no interloper assault... good to know (so I can even take a brief break from the bustle).  But once I pass through that door, I am back at work, walking my beat, repelling the bad guys.  I hope my two peeps appreciate what I do for them.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

And what exactly

does the universe owe you?

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - worthy of purraise, deserving a peep's admiration

where diddya go?

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

30 May 2026 - To get to the bottom of things sometimes requires you to look under something, a detail peeps tend to overlook.  My relative shortness actually is a plus in these circumstances, as "under something" can still be above my head.  And being naturally inquisitive means that I want to know what is lurking beneath the surface.  When an interloper realizes it has been spotted, it scurries to the nearest hiding spot:  it may be out of sight, but it hasn't slipped from my mind.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Pay attention to

where you leave things.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - slippurry, hard to hold onto (good thing I have claws)

pay attention

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

29 May 2026 - I start my day with a good breakfast, an appointment I never miss (unless alien peeps are on the premises).  You can tell by my stance that the process has my undivided attention, front legs separated slightly to give me a solid foundation... no suggestion in my demeanor that I'm ready to skedaddle for a hiding place.  Everyone should enjoy his first meal in so tranquil a setting:  being anxious while eating doesn't aid digestion.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Think pleasant thoughts.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - scrutimeowze, to examine something closely (should I eat it or not?)

look at that

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

28 May 2026 - Yet another level of my responsibilities isn't the highest or the lowest, but a stopover in my journey up and down the stairs.  Its removed location from interloper entry points means that I seldom encounter the enemy here, only those leeps that have wandered far.  Their sticky paws can grasp vertical sheets of glass, so I encounter them high above my head.  Since my paws find no purchase on those surfaces, I can only channel my disapproval through a glare.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

The good guys don't

have all the advantages.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - astonishmeownt, a surprise that amazes (not always good)

watch out for me

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

27 May 2026 - What can I say?  Sometimes I get an irresistible urge to be silly, and there is nothing to be done but give in (and get it over with).  I look forward to the day's conclusion, when my duties largely end and our domicile grows quiet and the shorter peep sprawls out horizontally, ready to bestow head pats.  Lately I have expended energy by running through the room, across the bed, and then looping back.  While atop the bed I might tussle with an imagined interloper (practice makes perfect)... it's all good fun (no wonder I keep doing it).

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Each of us has

an inner child.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - incattile, characteristic of kittens (to call it immeowture is to be judgmental)

me, myself, and the other guy

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

26 May 2026 - Our domicile is a big responsibility:  I am the sole line of defense between us and the clamoring interlopers.  Even when my peeps are away or are "on break" (they, as do I, take naps occasionally), I must keep my senses attuned for danger.  Certainly having a second feline on the job would cut my work load, but the potential conflict, the disagreements, the vying for the alpha spot, are not worth any benefits.  I am most happy with my own company.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Know what makes

you happy.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - solipurry, being the only cat (I like it that way)

intruder alert

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

25 May 2026 - My daily brushing is a much anticipated and very relaxing activity... but not so relaxing that I let down my guard!  Someone tried to sneak up on me, the taller peep as it turned out, setting off my internal alarm and shortening my beauty session.  In hindsight I could have stayed put, but at the time a quick decision was necessary and "skedaddle" popped into my head.  I do hope that the shorter peep and I can resume where we left off.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

All conclusions should

be satisfying.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - surpurrised, startled (not appreciated by this cat)

finders, keepers

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

24 May 2026 - Patience has its rewards.  By sitting very still, very quietly for a long period of time, I became one with the surroundings... at least to the interloper trying to hide under that piece of pottery.  It was rousted!  Another skilled bit of work is marked in my mental log, plus one for the good guys.  I wasn't permitted to gloat very long, as the shorter peep claimed the prize for herself... and that was the last I saw of my interloper (what does she do with these trophies??).

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Don't get too attached

to your things.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - meowmento, a cat's keepsake (as in "meowne")

eeny-meeny

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

23 May 2026 - On drippy days I am glad to have a roof overhead, and the ability to come/go from my personal screened porch as the weather dictates.  Besides, in a downpour most interlopers are huddled beneath shelter, thoughts of domicile assault forgotten.  However their activity quickly recommences once the deluge ceases, and I must be ready to thwart their advance.  I eagerly anticipate Mr. Sol's scattering of the gray clouds, yet I also enjoy these few moments of doing nothing.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

It's rare that a thing doesn't

have both pluses and minuses.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - intermeowdiate, being situated between two points (I'll get to both eventually)

just a sec

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

22 May 2026 - Bath time can happen anyplace, anytime... which might explain how we cats stay so well-groomed.  It is particularly fortunate if the urge overtakes me while sitting on a comfortable spot, so that I can easily transition into a nap.  But it could interrupt my work rounds or even breakfast (and what am I thinking there?!).  The whole process is over quickly, however I have noticed tension mount between the shorter peep's eyes while she waits for its completion.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Some things shouldn't

be rushed.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - obliGATOry, absolutely necessary (I swear)

up to the task

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

21 May 2026 - I am a medium-sized example of catness, so my long list of responsibilities and the sheer size of territory to protect can seem at times overwhelming, more than I can possibly manage.  But that's the big picture's enormity:  when I focus on the job at hand, e.g., glare at that seed-stealing squeep, I know the task can be accomplished.  That is one of the benefits of living in the present.  That approach sets aside the awaiting concerns for the at-hand matter... and how much better can the at-hand matter be handled than by giving it your full attention.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Tick things off

one at a time.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

poem of the day - "A cat came fiddling out of a barn, with a pair of bagpipes under her arm.  She could sing nothing but ,'Fiddle dee dee!  The mouse has married the bumble bee.'  Pipe cat, dance mouse; we'll have a wedding at our good house."

of course

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

20 May 2026 - Despite all my grousing, life is good.  I am my own boss, my two peeps are well trained, and Mr. Sol has returned to robust health.  What else could I want... except a comfortable spot (or two) for an undisturbed nap (and well-earned, I might add).  My personal screened porch is exposed on three sides to interloper activity, so I spend quite a bit of my work hours out there, patrolling its perimeter.  And how quickly I can respond to an attack when taking my break in that same area!  It is almost as if I had a plan (but we cats don't like to lock ourselves into a course of action).

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Be grateful when life

gives you a perk.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - cat purrglar, that much-admired (and sneaky) interloper rouster

oops

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

19 May 2026 - We all have had our awkward moments, and so should be quick to forgive others their missteps.  The shorter peep managed to catch my visage mid-yawn, and the resulting look could be misconstrued as a warning grimace or indigestion... neither of which is close to the truth.  I am well, quite comfortable, and, for me, quite relaxed.  Don't get too attached to your first impressions as they might need to be discarded, once the facts are in.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

The eye can be

hasty in its resolution.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - meowstaken, not exactly true (we cats are never wrong)