on the first day of Shamus

Shamus on view (sorta)

Me-usings and Me-emories

14 December 2020 - We cats love monotony... same-old-same-old is our idea of a blessed life.  So you can imagine my reaction to the recent jag of redecorating!  The fault should truthfully be laid at the shorter peep's feet... both the taller peep and I hovered on the periphery, watching the transformation.  I have had several days to adjust, grudgingly, and I am pleased to say that nothing moves or chirps threateningly.  Still it is the principle that I am holding to:  things were perfectly fine beforehand.  But she is also the one who keeps kibble in my bowl and offers treats, so I won't snub her enthusiasm for something different.  And some of the new additions do beg to be swatted (which I find very cathartic and befitting).

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

You have to roll

with the punches.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purroper, according to recognized feline standards, seemly (although I don't want to sound like a purrude)

triumphant lark

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

13 December 2020 - Nothing quickens the pulse like a bit of drama with an interloper.  During my patrol of the screened area, I spotted this squeep trying to scale the western buttress.  The angle of this ascent is formidable (and to the left you can see my treads to keep purchase), yet here was this pesky fellow leaning back on his haunches, assessing the threat.  I best him easily by a factor of ten, so it was sheer bravura.  But little guys, I have noticed, often make up their diminutive size with overblown ego.  Although the shorter peep did an OK job of sneaking up on the stand-off, she did tip the scales in our favor... and the nosy sightseer leapt away.  But I am confident that the outcome could have gone no other way, even without her as my backup.  It was, however, such a satisfying moment that I hated to see it end so quickly.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

You can't beat

victory.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrize-winning, second to none (but we are kings of the jungle)

willowy wisp

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

12 December 2020 - Sometimes the record must be set straight.  Yesterday's photo and entry title suggest that, like many, I have found a few pandemic pounds.  It is true that I weigh a tad more than six months (!) ago when I arrived, but that is a good thing since I resembled a pencil.  Who doesn't have a picture that is unflattering or simply unrecognizable?  Like the beeps outside the window, that fluff out their feathers when it is cold,  I hunched myself into an ellipsoid... and it did help, but then the shorter beep found it necessary to document my technique.  So here I am twenty-four hours later, no crash diet employed, and I am again my svelte self.  Personally I think I have the gams of Tina Turner.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

It is not needed, nor wise,

to voice every thought.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - Brahmin cat, the chosen of Bastet ("we are all beautiful in her eyes")

the noble sausage

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

11 December 2020 - We are all in a better mood when sufficiently warm.  I don't mean out-of-the-frying-pan charred... just pleasantly toasty.  Were it not for that pesky beep, who hangs out at this window, I might not have discovered as quickly the numerous amenities had when on its ledge.  Not only does it provide a great view of our western flank, invaluable for maintaining a secure border, but it blocks the cold air and magnifies the sun's heat. My only complaint is that the ledge isn't sufficiently wide for a comfortable nap.  Bathed in the bright light, I have almost drifted into slumber while sitting here... and it would be very embarrassing to fall off my perch. 

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Dignity is highly

recommended.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrpriety, behavior appurropriate or fitting for one's station

diligent dilbert

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

10 December 2020 - The shorter peep calls these things worry balls, so I feel totally justified in batting them about.  And this behavior may appear to the on-looker as shirking my duties or goofing off at the office, but not so.  Eye-paw coordination is a must in my line of work, and physical activity that further hones my ability is a plus.  How exactly does this "play" time grease the wheels of industry?  I admit that the benefit is not as obvious.  Just imagine a Newton's cradle sitting atop an executive's desk.  Those swinging metal spheres represent a grounding in the laws of physics while inspiring leaps of imagination.  So these worry balls occupy my frontal thoughts and bring to the foreground the creative subconscious.  Well, it was good enough for Sir Isaac.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Give your monkey

brain a task.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - quick-catted, characterized by an ability to think/respond in a blink (and we're graceful too)

snug as a hug

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

9 December 2020 - Yes, I insisted on a patrol of the screened area... and part of me wishes I'd been overruled.  But I made a quick check of the perimeter, and dashed back inside...  Evidently interlopers hunker down in chilly weather, just like the rest of us.  I probably won't need to check again for twenty-four hours (tomorrow's forecast suggests a recovery).  The flora out there don't appear impacted by the just-above freezing temperatures... they must be tougher than they look!  I certainly wouldn't be happy if left for the night to the elements.  Even us warm-blooded sorts can't handle prolonged exposure to the cold... which is why I am sticking close to my peeps (or the heated towel, whichever is handier).

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Two hot heads

are better than one.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - thermewl, sporting extra fur for insulation against the cold

whine not?

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

8 December 2020 - The windows are sweating!  They must have a different sense of temperature than I.  How am I to keep an eye on our flanks through a fog?  The only positive aspect to this situation is that I can quench my thirst without locating my water bowl.  The outside colors and shapes are muted through this pale haze, but my keen vision can still detect motion... which is of more importance than knowing what exactly I am looking at.  And something that remains stock-still isn't much of a threat... but aggravating just the same.  On paper my job would seem to be straight-forward ("bah" I say), but some days I would rather remain curled up on my heated towel... of course I don't.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

It is cathartic to grumble.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrotest, to object to an unjust or unfair situation