Tuesday, 21 December 2021

might I suggest

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

21 Dec 2021 - Another cat-sanctioned way to deal with anxiety is to indulge in purrsonal time.  So what if the sky is falling, my fur needs attention.  And to engage in the mundane is an internal argument that life will shuffle onward... and at least you will look your best.  I do not advise sticking one's head in the sand as a coping strategy.  Once I poked my front parts into a paper bag, and somehow got entangled in its straps... I won't finish the story as you know where it's going (and to relive it would bring unnecessary panic).  Needless to say I now avoid anything that resembles a sack, plastic or paper or cloth.  That lesson is still fresh in my mind, and I'm no dummy... although I can play one on the Q.T.





clipped notes



                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)


Oblivion has its plugs.











Bring back Bastet
Bastet beckons




Catty Corner

word of the day - purraise, to recommend as the best course of action (cat-tried and true)

Monday, 20 December 2021

I'll sit this one out

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

20 Dec 2021 - Extreme caution is desiring two roofs over your head.  That extra level of protection is sought to give assurance, to ease anxiety, and the world seems to be quivering with uncertainty right now.  Even as removed from the center of activity (where someone will step on my tail) as I am, I can sense tomorrow's unsettled tenor.  It is more than holiday hubbub, more than end-of-year excitement.  We cats thankfully are on-lookers to the maelstrom, but not immune to its buffering.  My two peeps, like me, live quietly and by many measures slowly... and in hindsight it seems like a wise lifestyle.





clipped notes



                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)


Any volunteers to be
the lemming leader?











Bring back Bastet
Bastet beckons




Catty Corner

word of the day - madcat, done without considering the consequences (a reckless use of one's nine lives IMO)

Sunday, 19 December 2021

a nicked knack

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

19 Dec 2021 - I'd like to aspire to more than a drone accompaniment, so I've been exercising my voice lately.  Out of consideration for my peeps, I've mostly restricted my scale practicing to the screened porch, where there is already a cacophony of sounds from beeps and cars and planes and the neighbor's geeps.  Listening to my "song", and its harmonization (or not) with the background chorus, is certainly not without distortion, since I am its originator.  And I'm not just referring to an owner's natural bias:  hearing the vibrations inside my head is very different from being an outside pair of ears.  So far I am inclined to believe the peeps:  I should keep my day job.





clipped notes



                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)


Everyone should cultivate
his talent.











Bring back Bastet
Bastet beckons




Catty Corner

word of the day - catability, a feline's natural aptitude (we bury our mistakes)

Saturday, 18 December 2021

annul and avoid

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

18 Dec 2021 - Would this spot work as my throne?  Were I king, I could certainly define the royal seat to be whatever, wherever I wanted.  But regardless of its name, this oversized pillow has much to offer:  comfort, elevation, color-coordination... and a loyal subject demurely nearby.  All this recent sunshine, even at its end-of-year oblique angle, makes my screened porch a very desirable spot... so why am I here instead?  The simplest explanation, although not satisfying, is to say that a nexus of neurons fired, and I obeyed.  Is my regal pose merely a random act?  As I said, not very satisfying... to make it sound as if I am master of my fate, I'll countermand with "I wanted to."





clipped notes



                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)


Without uttering a word,
a lifted chin says much.











Bring back Bastet
Bastet beckons




Catty Corner

word of the day - pompuss, affectedly grand (we cats carry it well)

Friday, 17 December 2021

stay present

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

17 Dec 2021 - I really don't need anything, but wouldn't it be a nice surprise if one of these was mine!  Enough time has passed since the shorter peep did a remake of our domicile, that I am "comfortable" with the changes.  With the new decor there are more nooks and hiding spots for interlopers, but I can't say that their population has increased... and I have been on the lookout.  Occasionally on my screened porch I mistake outside for inside, and pounce upon something that I can only scare (as opposed to dispatch).  But I don my "I meant to do that" look (far more versatile than a holiday sweater), and continue on my business of home security.





clipped notes



                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)


Good behavior is very tiring.











Bring back Bastet
Bastet beckons




Catty Corner

word of the day - spurrtive, light-hearted and high-spurrited (I'm getting in the holiday mood)

Thursday, 16 December 2021

lead the way

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

16 Dec 2021 - I like to imagine myself king of the jungle, but the local wilderness is but a sample, and not very threatening.  That doesn't mean that it isn't the hiding place of  of interlopers, but inside our four walls I reign uncontested.  This dominance is only maintained by walking the beat, reminding all subjects that their activities are being watched and they should keep a very low profile... even better, vamoose.  In my quarters there is a royal carpet, now all that is required to complete the picture is a throne.  I have several favorites.  Which one shall I pick from which to gaze down upon my kingdom?






clipped notes



                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)


Be known as a
wise ruler.











Bring back Bastet
Bastet beckons




Catty Corner

word of the day - purrside, to govern with an inside voice (a purr can sway a cat peep)

Wednesday, 15 December 2021

the happy scamper

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

15 Dec 2021 - Who is behind bars depends on your perspective.  Since either of us can leave whenever the thought occurs, it is all a charade.  However it makes an interesting separation, even with its open latticework.  I take advantage of the fact that I can reach through and poke, while the same is not so easily done by the shorter peep... a purrfect set-up, since I have ample time to skedaddle before she retaliates.  Of course my mischievous ways are all in fun:  truly I have no grievances (as I'm fairly certain my peeps have no control over the sun), and just want a reason to sprint from the scene.   Being small does have its advantages.





clipped notes



                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)


Take time to play.











Bring back Bastet
Bastet beckons




Catty Corner

word of the day - purrquoi, the difficult-to-explain reason why cats do odd things (why not?)