the land of nod

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

12 May 2026 - Some days I'm on top of things (literally), and some days, under.  And who can say why the difference... I just go with the feel.  Mr. Sol has certainly been cranking out heat lately, much to my delight.  I think my two peeps wish he'd back off, but even wearing my fur coat, I have yet to be too hot.  Too cold is what makes me grouse (you may have noticed).  The interlopers seem to prefer hotter weather as well, although I've noticed early afternoon something of an observed siesta (so I join them).

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

You can't please

everyone every time.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - purrty winks, a restorative snooze (highly recommended)

got it made

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

11 May 2026 - Those aren't wings on my back (nor do I aspire to be an angel... and cool cat is way beyond my realization).  The brilliant spotlight is Mr. Sol mid-morning, having finally climbed above the tree line.  The ledge offers a lofty spot from which to gaze down upon the earth, a catwalk made with me in mind.  Wearing my tuxedo, I am dressed for a sashay down the runway, but truly the path is functional, a formal edge between here and there, giving me an elevated sentry post and a great spot to just hang out.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Don't just stare:

engage the eyes.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

job of the day - cattress-tester, seemingly cushy job (but as an eight-hour shift very demanding)

the daily grind

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

10 May 2026 - My plans are always changing, thanks to the interlopers.  I had intended to hop on the shorter peep's lap and check how her work is progressing... but then I heard a noise that I couldn't place <hiss>.  Hopefully her lap will still be available after this interruption has been identified and, if necessary, resolved.  Sometimes I long for a vacation day, when someone else is responsible for our domicile's safety... but would they be as diligent as I am?

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Life can be a slog.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrudge, to make slow, wearying headway (I hope it's worth it)

show you the bore

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

9 May 2026 - One should occasionally try something new (as long as it's not too radical).  I've lived in this domicile almost six years, and rarely has this particular chair been the chosen spot.  For some reason, that I've leave unexplored, this morning I thought, "why not?"  Its mate in that far corner is similarly comfortable, plus offers good sight lines into the western yard, yet it was passed up.  When the decision was made, the shorter peep was seated at the other end of the table... perhaps that is what possessed me?

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

We are curious creatures, and

not always in the inquisitive sense

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

phrase of the day - old cat, something done many, many times (purractice makes purrfect)

cross hairs

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

8 May 2026 - Today's challenge is "spot the cat".  Even though I have no spots (more like patches), I promise I'm somewhere in that picture, 'cause I was there when the shorter peep pointed that black cube in my direction.  You must admit I'm well camouflaged.  The one drawback, and it is not minor, is that there is no back door through which to escape... which means if I truly need to hide, if the situation is a scary-for-real sort, this is not my go-to place.  But mostly my days run quietly and smoothly, staying busy with the interlopers.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Everyone should have

a purpose in life.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - cationale, the reason why a cat does something

watch out

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

7 May 2026 - Interlopers may have favorite spots and tried-and-true strategies, but they are also opportunistic:  if I neglect an area of our domicile, they notice and move in.  What that means is that, even if I really want to, I can't hang out all day on my personal screened porch.  Here I am checking on our southern flank, where a pond and feeder offer water and food to the ne'er-do-wells.  I am not surprised that it is a popular spot, especially among the beeps... what were my peeps thinking?

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Offer it, and someone

will take it.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrcumstance, a specific thing that influences a feline situation

oh golly green giant

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

6 May 2026 - There are more comfortable spots on my personal screened porch, but sometimes interloper activity requires that I forego comfort.  From the edge I can peer down upon them, and if I remain very still they become oblivious of my presence.  Just imagine how far into their camp I could infiltrate if I stuck green leaves in my fur... however on this side of the screen such camouflage is hard to acquire (but that doesn't stop me from imagining the scenario).

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Not everything pictured

in the mind can be realized.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

collective noun of the day - a glaring of cats, and it works equally well on other species

druthers

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

5 May 2026 - Look at that sharply lit background of green - thank you, Mr. Sol!  My grousing about the chilly air is mostly a thing of the (recent) past.  Our mornings are still cool, but quickly give way to abundant warmth.  The shorter peep recognizes the transition by beginning our day with the doors onto my personal screened porch open, and then closing them before our midday meet-up for treats.  Obviously we have different tolerances in regard ambient temperatures, but a good bit of agreement... which is most fortunate (otherwise how could we occupy the same domicile?).

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

There is no point in

discussing what we prefer.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrdilection, a cat's bias (it should be the norm)

you don't say

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

4 May 2026 - Cats are intrigued by unknowns:  what made that noise, why is the shorter peep changing clothes (and where is she going), how does this door open?  From observation I know that water flows in the pictured room, spraying from the wall, eddying around a drain, sloshing in a basin.  Most cats have no use for a pool of water, other than to drink from it and to watch other creatures gather there... some of which should be rousted and others that should be avoided.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

We are alike in

our basic needs.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - like-meownded, simeowlar in how we think

taking care of business

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

3 May 2026 - I enjoy my office time and try to keep my staff happy as well.  I like to spend a little personal time with the workers, determine how they are doing, what they need.  Often giving them a head to pat is sufficient to put a smile on their faces... which in turn makes me purr, a perpetual circle of positive reinforcement.  Actually the relationship between cats and peeps is amazing in that it can work so well (since we both like to be boss and have the final say).

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Similar doesn't mean identical.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - compurrtriot, a fellow homebody

in idyl

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

2 May 2026 - Mr. Sol has a melting effect on my cautiousness.  I find it hard to remain rigid when my body is basking in warmth, rather like a stick of butter (evidently my predecessor was quite fond of that peep food) left out on the counter.  "Soft in the head" isn't a kind observation, so I try to keep my wits while lolling about on my personal screened porch.  But keeping in focus the possibility of threat isn't easy when my eyes want to roll back in my skull and I drift off in blissful sleep.  However I am glad/relieved to note that a sharp, alien noise immediately got my full attention.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Don't add to the

world's stress.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

place of the day - Catmeowdo, a feline's shangri-la

shaky ground

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

1 May 2026 - This pictured floor of our domicile can be a busy place, which is why I seldom snooze here (unless I wish to watch the activity from a sidelined chair).  But it is where peep food and my food is prepared, so I am fond of the space.  Being the cautious sort I quickly learned to steer clear of peep feet, so my transit through these rooms is always quick, the better to guarantee no injurious collisions.  Some of my kind like to thread themselves through a crowd, however that would not be me.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Life is risky enough

without courting more.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - vulnpurrable, capable of being hurt (if only I weren't so small)

centerstage

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

30 Apr 2026 - It isn't clear if we're engaged in hide-n-seek or if I'm trying to make myself scarce... maybe the latter since I'm not certain what the shorter peep is up to.  By now I should be used to her walking around with that black cube in her hand, but it still spooks me.  Even if the world can't seem to get enough cat videos, I have no desire to share my face with an audience gaga for my kind's "cuteness".  Purrh-leeze, get a life, why don't ya??  I have other things to do, things that matter, and I bet you do as well.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

What you find amusing

says a great deal about you.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - lightpurrted, carefree and easy-going (I suppose there are some cats like that)