I wonder as I wander

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

14 January 2021 - If inhospitable weather or pandemic concerns have you sequestered inside, and your clothes seem to be shrinking in size, don't head to the pantry.  Walking is an excellent form of exercise, and adding stairs to your route ups the aerobic benefits.  Even if your abode doesn't offer the ideal circuit, you can still map a route that involves each room.  As long as you don't exit an outer door, the right-paw rule will guarantee an exhaustive peregrination that returns you to the starting point.  Perhaps your impetus is emptying wastebaskets or opening blinds or searching for the remote, but something "useful" can get you off the sofa and moving.  And just maybe, when you get back to the kitchen you will have forgotten what you came to get.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Even a pointless task

can serve a purrpose.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - meownder, to purrceed along a winding course (it's my job)

a royal pang

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

13 January 2021 - I could claim this spot as my throne, but why limit myself to just one?  During certain times of the day, the sun pours through a roof portal and makes it a hot seat... and it is my job to notice these things.  Of course a cover of clouds can spoil the effect, and today appears to be one of those where heat must be sought elsewhere.  I was out in the screened area briefly yesterday, at my request, and am very glad to have four walls and a roof to call my own.  I am now doubting the veracity of my memories:  in my (current) lifetime we have had fry-an-egg-on-the-sidewalk hot days, correct?  Paved walkways are scarce out in the country, so I don't mind raw... but I do miss being singed.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Creative thoughts can occur

while seated.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - meowgul, an important cat (purrdon the redundancy)

family planning

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

12 January 2021 - You know what they say, "... but you can't choose your family."  It goes without saying that I am not blood-related to my two peeps, and I certainly didn't have any choice in the matter of my adoption.  But things have worked out well, and I am not agitating for change.  These days the composition of a family unit is whatever the group agrees upon, and why should it be otherwise.  Inheritance of Grandmother's jewels or Gramps' vintage Jaguar can bring out the worst in the offspring, but we cats are not materialistic (well, maybe a bit possessive of our kibble bowl)... and my household isn't Buckingham Palace.  We keep things simple.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

"You can't take it with you"

... so why accumulate?

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrgenitor, the honored ancestor who discovered how to vibrate his larynx muscles

fill in the blank look

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

11 January 2021 - I don't hang out in this room as much as I did six months ago... now that I have the entire house to monitor and a perimeter to maintain.  But the shorter peep and I do meet here regularly:  for my morning brush, for the replenishing of my kibble, sometimes for afternoon naps.  It is my base from which I can venture out with confidence, knowing that it provided me shelter in those fearful early days.  It would rank right up there beneath perfect, were it not for the fact that that howling creature visits this space when it is released from the closet.  But perfection invites complacency and encourages one to drop his guard, so every nemesis serves a purpose (although we can still loathe its existence).  Without hope of beating it, I will strive to outlive it.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

The big picture can give

you eye strain.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - categorical, unambiguous and absolute (you're either on my okay-list or not)

ms giving

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

10 January 2021 - Believe me, I can understand the reluctance to leave a warm bed.  Some mornings are harder than others, and the pattern seems to mirror the outside temperature.  So today did not start quickly or enthusiastically.  But thankfully both the shorter peep and I awake hungry:  we can ignore emptiness for only so long.  Now we are both up and fed, and she continues with her morning routine.  I, on the other hand, am torn in my loyalties.  Do I keep her company in the office, or do I align myself with the taller peep... who admittedly gets somewhat less of my time and attention?  Considerations are further weighted by the fact that joining him would mean returning to bed.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Sometimes the head

and the heart disagree.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrincipled, consistently acting in a manner that maximizes chances of kibble and head pats

make 'em laugh

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

9 January 2021 - Life with a cat is never dull.  Though we become more introspective with age, our krazy kitten still lurks inside, ready to pounce in the most sober of moments.  Who can say what prompts these silly antics?  I don't give the question much thought, but very occasionally I have the urge to dash headlong... there may even be a grin on my face (there certainly is an internalized one).  Perhaps the zaniness could be reined in, thwarted, but I have noticed that my two peeps also are grinning while I leap and cavort... which is a good thing.  They are seriously solemn, bordering on grave... and it is my duty to pull them back from the edge.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

"Forgive, O Lord, my little jokes on Thee,

and I'll forgive Thy great big one on me."

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purroccupied, excessive navel-gazing (wait, we cats don't have navels)

meowntain sage

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

8 January 2021 - If you are willing to climb to the top of these pillows, you may ask me a question... just kidding.  We taciturn sorts don't like being in the spotlight, and especially doubt that wisdom falls from our lips.  However herd animals experience anxiety if they are not being led, and especially quake if alone in their pasture.  From a loner's viewpoint, this dependency is a real liability (lemmings come to mind), but don't expect me to be the anticipated shepherd.  We are born into this world to make our way as best we can, and sadly you won't learn a whit if someone else does the heavy lifting for you.  Exercise those gray cells, have an idea (then examine it).

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

"Whaddya think?"

isn't a rhetorical question.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - locatcious, as gabby as a tabby (which isn't to say talkative)