Watchcat protocol CDXCVII

When toilet paper is in short supply, it's best to station a watchcat in your storage cabinet:

Spring 2009: Watchcat Sammy guards the bathroom vanity.

Watchcat protocol CDXCVI

It's not often that a watchcat has to check the durability of a shoelace, but for some reason, it's an agility training exercise:

Spring 2011: Watchcat Rosie chomps down on a shoelace.

Watchcat protocol CDXCV

As long as a watchcat is alert and ready to confront an intruder, there's no reason she can't rest her head on her paw:

August 2004: Watchcat Rosie is rested and ready for guard duty.

When the news is too much with us VI

On weather.com this morning, I saw the headline, "Significant Severe Outbreak Possible: Who's Most At Risk."  I knew I was on a weather-related site.  I saw the weather map above the accompanying story.  Yet, for a moment, that headline made me think, "Oh, no...More awful news about coronavirus cases that haven't been diagnosed yet."

I'm sure I'm not the only one who reacted that way.

Watchcat protocol CDXCIV

It's reasonable to expect a watchcat to expect to be given her due.  In October 2010, Watchcat Rosie turned to a photographer to indicate, "I hope you realize what a sacrifice this is.  I'm completing my agility training, despite my eyes having turned into poltergeist eyes."  I wasn't about to argue:

Watchcat protocol CDXCIII

A watchcat needs to project confidence.  A "Tsk, tsk; thought you'd escape my scrutiny, didn't you?" demeanor is one option:

September 2010: Watchcat Rosie maintains a steely countenance.

A function of age IV

You know you're getting older when Feisty Cherry Diet Coke is too spicy for you, and you realize that you've never referred to any soda as spicy until now.

I long for the pandemic-free day when we can all breathe a sigh of relief and go back to fixating on nothing more pressing than trivia like this.

Watchcat protocol CDXCII

Having poltergeist eyes makes guard patrol more difficult, but it didn't stop Watchcat Sammy and Watchcat Rosie from surveying their assigned sector in October 2012:

Watchcat protocol CDXCI

Although Watchcat Lily has been observing social distancing, she will still look those she's monitoring in the face when necessary:

March 22, 2020: Watchcat Lily stares directly at the photographer from her guard post under the bed.

Watchcat protocol CDXC

Watchcat Lily used responsible social distancing today by staying under the bed:

Impressively, she kept a smile on her face during guard duty.

When the news is too much with us V

Substitute another service profession in the shopper's comment, and this dialogue I heard at the grocery store earlier this week is all too real for too many people lately:

Shopper: My daughter puts makeup on people's faces, and she's out of a job...
Cashier: I don't think anyone should be putting makeup on people's faces right now.

Here's hoping everyone knocked for a loop financially by Covid-19 will have relief very soon--and will be able to return to work ASAP.

Watchcat protocol CDLXXXIX

A watchcat's sly smile has its place.  It's appropriate when congratulating a watchmouse for proposing a sound security measure:

March 15, 2020: Watchcat Collette grins at her backup watchmouse upon hearing about the mouse's suggested security tactic.

Watchcat protocol CDLXXXVIII

During a pandemic, it's important to have a sharp-eyed watchcat looking out for potentially germ-infested intruders.  Watchcat Lily filled this role on March 17, 2020:

When the news is too much with us IV

I developed a cracked patch of skin from using hand sanitizer and washing my hands so much recently.  Yesterday, I thought aloud, "Should I use Covid-10?"  Immediately, I corrected myself.  "Arrrrrgh!" I exclaimed to no one.  "I meant Cortizone-10!"

Inevitably, this coronavirus news coverage has seeped into my--and the world's collective--psyche.

Ominously, it probably won't leave soon.

When the news is too much with us III

My cat, Collette, and I get along reasonably well, but she sometimes pounces on me and bites my feet.  I've admonished her for this, but it hasn't stopped her.  This morning, I changed things up.  When Collette bit me, I shouted, "Social distancing!"

That didn't work, either.  I swear, it's as if my cat is impervious to CDC guidelines.  Actually, since there's no evidence that pets carry coronavirus, she's up on the latest news.  I suppose I should be proud.

When the news is too much with us II

This morning, I put some food in the microwave while inadvertently microwaving a hot plate at the same time.  This was the only time in decades of microwaving meals that I'd ever done that.  Fortunately, the food, hot plate, and microwave survived unscathed. 

Although I feel fine, I suspect that the increasingly dire coronavirus news has me on edge.

Watchcat protocol CDLXXXVII

Sometimes, Watchcat Headquarters asks a watchcat to brief a backup watchmouse on security tactics:

A kind-hearted watchcat will congratulate the watchmouse when the tactics are carried out successfully:

March 15, 2020: Watchcat Collette commends the backup watchmouse for a job well done.

Watchcat protocol CDLXXXVI

Per Watchcat Headquarters, it's permissible for a watchcat to look at his guardian and convey the attitude, "You realize what a service I'm providing here by testing this water and making sure it's safe to drink?"  Watchcat Nemo performed this function in Spring 2011:

Watchcat protocol CDLXXXV

Watchcat Headquarters allows watchcats a reasonable amount of relaxation, as long as they keep at least one eye open at all times:

May 2016: Watchcat Sylvia relaxes--but not too much.

Watchcat protocol CDLXXXIV

Is the backup watchcat performing up to speed?  It's advisable to ask an experienced watchcat.  Per Watchcat Sammy, Blue Cat was doing a commendable job on guard patrol in May 2016:

A function of age III

Earlier this year, the pharmacist told me, "Our supplier was out of the usual format of your medication.  It'll look a little different, but it's still the same medicine."

Twenty-five years ago, my internal reaction would have been, "Oh, well, that happens.  It's still the same medicine."

My internal reaction, recently, however, was, "Hmmm...I hope it's true that it's still the right medicine.  I read an article in The New York Times recently about how overworked pharmacists sometimes put the wrong medication in the bottle.  Should I trust the pharmacist or not take this medicine and wait for the next time my prescription is filled, when the medicine will presumably look the way I've come to expect?"

I've been taking the medicine, and it's working.  I haven't grown scales or fins yet.  Fortunately, my trust in the pharmacist was warranted--this time.

Watchcat protocol CDLXXXIII

It's important to keep one's cell phone charged; thus, it's imperative that no one walks off with your cell phone charger.  Watchcat Rosie took this responsibility seriously in Summer 2003:

Watchcat protocol CDLXXXII

A good backup watchcat must be ready to stand guard when the primary watchcat takes a break.  In this scene from Spring 2013, Watchcat Nemo returned from a break to see Proxy Nemo carrying out his duties admirably:

Watchcat protocol CDLXXXI

It reassures one's guardian when the watchcat conveys the attitude, "Yeah, I've got this patrol situation under control."  Watchcat Lily demonstrated this on February 26, 2020:

Watchcat protocol CDLXXX

Per Watchcat Headquarters, it's not a rule but a courtesy.  When your watchcat is doing a good job, it's considerate to let her read the comics first:

May 2011: Watchcat Sylvia claims the newspaper comics section for herself.

Watchcat protocol CDLXXIX

Watchcat Rosie had the commendable attitude, "You can shine a light in my eyes, but it won't stop me from guarding the recycling bin, as scheduled."  Here she is, exhibiting that quality in April 2011:

No "Fine" or "OK" answers from me

I have a frequent aversion to giving a bland, direct answer when someone asks me, "How are you?" or "How was your day?"

Recently, a coworker asked, "How was your day?"

I replied, "It was what it was."

He responded, "And it isn't what it wasn't."

When I have the chance, I reply existentially as often as possible.

When the news is too much with us

Yesterday, I accidentally said to my cat, "Hi, Covid...I mean, Collette." 

Apparently, I'd been thinking about the coronavirus more than I realized.

Watchcat protocol CDLXXVIII

Watchcat Collette tested the durability of a grocery bag this morning--without being asked:

Watchcat Headquarters praised Collette for her initiative, which was only right.

Watchcat protocol CDLXXVII

It's considerate for a watchcat to check on the watchmouse every so often:

December 2013: Watchcat Sammy makes sure the watchmouse is still alert.

Watchcat protocol CDLXXVI

A sharp-eyed watchcat knows when the color or consistency of a soda looks a little off...

...and when to approach the soda gingerly before tasting it:

Fortunately, Watchcat Sammy determined in Spring 2004 that it was safe to drink.  Taste testing isn't the first function people usually associate with watchcats, but it's a service Watchcat Headquarters provides.