only the brave

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

15 Feb 2022 - We indoor cats don't have trees to climb, which is a shame, but I have my very own jungle gym.  Once upon a time, this cantered beam may have been a majestic bit of flora.  Now part of our domicile, it provides me an up-ramp, when a moment of derring-do takes control.  And unlike the possibilities beyond my screened porch, here I can't climb so high as to be stranded (and require rescue).  Descent from its tippy top is manageable, and a flying dismount, non lethal... so I can set aside my natural caution, for a few moments of wild abandon.  And these escapades may even shift my self-perception away from scaredy-cat and ever so slightly toward super-feline:  me-ow.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Sometimes you can

surprise yourself.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - advenpurrous, occasionally willing to have new expurriences

great expectations

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

14 Feb 2022 - Some days I am a blur of motion, but the interlopers are riding this seesaw of spring weather, rising up with the temperatures... and I must keep apace.  All is well that ends on a high note, and yesterday's mid-afternoon sunshine was very much appreciated.  After several blah-weather days one can start feeling as grey as the sky, yet how quickly Mr. Sol perks up my spirits.  I made several speedy victory laps downstairs, whether in sheer joy or in the need to warm up I can't recall.  My bones tell me that my favorite time of year is coming (and it can't arrive too soon).

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Hope gets us up

in the morning.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrophesy, to furtell the future

no more, please

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

13 Feb 2022 - The shorter peep says that this drippiness will end soon.  Perhaps I should be satisfied with yesterday's fine example, but following warm sunshine with this wet mess seems unsportsmanlike of Mother Nature.  But what do I know about the demanding life of a mom?  Perhaps an occasional "acting out" is just a necessary coping mechanism for planetary stress.  I do understand that patience is a finite resource, and before I run out of this useful commodity I should probably hide my head under a paw and take a nap...  perhaps when I reopen my eyes, the view out my window will be much improved.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Imagining a do-over

can be helpful.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - impurrtus, the furce that makes things happen

a reclusive offer

Shamus not pleased

Me-usings and Me-emories

12 Feb 2022 - Although I don't have visitation hours, I have a visitor.  One of my kind, of the orange variety, can be spotted regularly... evidently my, er, our domicile is on his morning stroll.  He is quite a bit bigger than I am, but lean, which may explain why I have caught the shorter peep putting kibble (my kibble) in an outside bowl.  No dummy is he:  now we are his favorite, i.e. reliable, eatery.  He isn't the only brother I've spotted during my patrol, which is disturbing on several counts.  So far I have not detected any whiff of foreign feline on my peeps, and I hope that it is quite clear that I don't need/want a little furry friend.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

A hard heart is a

solitary heart.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - hikikomeowri, a cat who erects a wall between himself and other cats

self-improvement

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

11 Feb 2022 - Between my work load and my playful workouts, I deserve the occasional nap.  There is observed evidence that we cats do dream, not that I recall any sleepy episodes... but would I tell you if I did?  The relevant part of downtime is that the body rests and restores, and after a good stretch upon waking I am ready to prance and patrol.  One needs to select the snooze spot carefully:  quiet, comfortable, safe.  However I am never so deeply under that a sharp rap or loud pop won't jolt my head up:  does this bear investigation (or a duck under the bed), or may I, purrty please, resume my slumber?

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

You will age quickly

without your beauty rest.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - recupurrate, to recover from expurrtion

one for the ripper

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

10 Feb 2022 - No, I am definitely not snoozing with my blanket.  This photo captures my fight with a bedroom interloper... yes, it was a "pretend" interloper.  But even champions have to practice (or get rusty).  Sometimes, after the evening meal, the shorter peep volunteers as my sparring partner.  Obviously I'm not tussling with her (I do recognize who feeds me), but she is my toy's puppeteer... and we have great fun, until one of us tires of the sport.  In addition to its practical side, getting a bit of exercise after a meal aids digestion.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Don't wait until you

lose it to use it.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - regimeown, a way of life that purrmotes health and well-being

cat blanche

Shamus on view

Me-usings and Me-emories

9 Feb 2022 - When helpful advice seems too insistent, I like to insert my wishes into the mix.  Yes, the heated towel is a welcome offering, but at this particular moment I want to curl up on this bolster (and bolster my position in this equation).  And that ended our discussion, as well it should.  After all, are we what others want us to be or are we our own purrsons?  To make choices and make mistakes but all importantly to choose our path forward, is the sentient condition... not a solely human prerogative.  And my peeps still love me:  I know because the head pats have continued.

clipped notes

                             Today's Catechism 

                            (for the autodidcat)

Bend with the wind,

but don't be a push-over.

Bring back Bastet

Bastet beckons

Catty Corner

word of the day - purrclamation, a clear declaration by a cat