harmony on rye

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

14 February 2021 - Today is the day to enjoy chocolate, or so claims the shorter peep.  She is welcome to my share... although we cats may be tempted to eat fudgy treats, those that did not resist fell ill and required help from white lab coats.  I haven't met a white lab coat, but my hardwiring automatically puts such under the scary heading.  So, no thank you, I'll pass on the chocolates.  However Valentine's Day expressions of amity have other cat-acceptable outlets (and a red satin cape is not what I'm talking about).  My peeps are well aware that a few extra tuna treats would be greatly appreciated... and I'm waiting for them to materialize.  After all "togetherness" doesn't require that we eat alike or think alike, only that we choose one another's company.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Hug a friend.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrvision, supplying something that is needed (after being prodded by a paw)

the tough is out

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

13 February 2021 - You might conclude from this photograph that my life is quite soft... and it does have such moments.  However I spent hours yesterday huddled under a bed, waiting (see yesterday's entry for more on that topic) for the growling beast to be recaged.  I fear someday we will meet face-to-face, and my one hope is that I manage to survive the encounter.  Perhaps it is just a bombastic bully, and a well-placed talons-extended swat across its snout might just send it yelping to its closet.  I rather like that image, a long-shot victory against Goliath.  So a bit of recovery time on this couch was much needed, and when at last I got down from my pillow the adrenaline had been mopped up and the heart rate below the danger zone.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Remember that bed

of roses contains thorns.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - dispurrited, having momentarily lost hope (what would Tom do?)

on hold

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

12 February 2021 - My peeps underestimate the amount of time I spend waiting on them, so documentation helps my believability.  I do comprehend that actions are not instantaneous, but what tries my patience is tangential behavior that delays completion of the thing I desire.  For example, rather than simply make my bed in the morning, the peeps begin an unrelated conversation about something that may or may not occur in two days.  And then I can almost see my saucer of treats before me, but the shorter peep trots back into the kitchen to refill the water pitcher.  "Aye yai yai", caterwauls my inner self.  Perhaps my single-mindedness indicates shallowness, but it does complete a task before starting another.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Just do it,

for Persian Pete's sake.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - facatical, filled with furvid zeal (dare I say, "dogmatic")

O buoyant

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

11 February 2021 - If this entry came with audio, you would hear me purring.  I am never happier than when sitting out in the screened area, surrounded by warm air.  You have been very kind to listen to all my grousing about the cold, so I feel obligated to balance somewhat the tone by proclaiming my couldn't-be-better disposition.  Well, I suppose if there was a saucer of treats nearby, things would be nicer... but let me state for the record that my life right this moment is A-OK.  And how often can that be said?  The world seems to be eternally in chaos, from individual crises to national blow-ups to world-wide afflictions.  All the more reason to recognize when things are going well and optimism overtakes the doldrums.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Try to be hopeful.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrpitious, favorable (with the promise of more treats)

life serial

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

10 February 2021 - There are many things in our abode that I list under "inert & harmless", for lack of a better phrase.  You might think that I am being redundant, but I assure you that a motionless object can suddenly fall from its shelf (without my help, lest you get the wrong impression) and cause damage.  But this monstrous rusting thing seems to be trapped by its own weight.  I have even put two paws upon its dome, and heard not a growl or whimper.  Around its base is a fine reddish powder, evidence of its returning to mother earth.  I respect its slow demise, and periodically circle by to offer condolences.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Finitude can be vast

but it has its season.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - spurrint, to run full bore for purr delight

sooner or later

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

9 February 2021 - The problem with leading is that periodically one must look back to see if the sheep are following.  I am faster and younger (I'll stop before I get into trouble) than the shorter peep, so naturally I beat her to the table in the morning.  Lest she is sleepwalking, I quietly point out where she routinely sits... and then I wait for her to get "it" all together.  The first meal of the day shouldn't be a challenge, and my bowl of kibble requires no forethought.  So the holdup can honestly be placed on her plate.  Some days water is poured from one vessel into another, other times things are stirred in a bowl; nearly always I can count three or four or five unmistakable thuds of an appliance door being shut... I try to be more amazed than annoyed.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Try counting to ten

in a different language.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrvoked, feeling irritated while maintaining composure (but I have my limits)

working cats

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

8 February 2021 - I have said in the past that I enjoy the office on Mondays:  the quiet space nurtures creative thinking (to minimize distraction I close my eyes).  However that doesn't necessarily mean that I bound up the stairs, chomping at the bit to begin.  Even if you don't know the meaning of inertia, you know its effect.  So having just risen from sleep, engaged in a full body stretch, enjoyed a see-my-tonsils yawn, and joined the shorter peep in breaking the fast, I am now ready to ease into the work day.  I fully practice kindness to myself, and my body requires consultation and agreement and perhaps a little time to physically engage.  This methodical march up the steps primes my heart and my head.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

What are friends for

if not to commiserate?

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrletariat, wage-earners compurrising the purred estate