Blog - Page 66 of 90 - Karen Shanley

Mad Hatter: No wonder you’re late. Why, this watch is exactly two days slow.

March 7, 2008 / On Writing / By Karen Shanley / 12 Comments

That’s me these days. The faster I try to catch up, the hurried-er I fall behind. Too many projects and not enough clocks running two days slow. So, it’s getting to be that time again… Time for another intermission.

In the meantime, what was it that sign said on the doorknob? Ah, yes…

“Doorknob: Read the directions and directly you will be directed in the right direction.“

Okay, off I go.

See ya back here when I’m all … Read More

I Knew That

March 4, 2008 / Cait and Me / By Karen Shanley / 17 Comments

Cait has finally reached the age where she’s been made aware by friends of clothes labels. I always knew that I was on borrowed shopping time, because this kid came out of the womb with her own sharp sense of fashion style. I’m happy to have gotten away with outlets and discount stores with her for as long as I have, you see, because unlike my daughter I could care less about fashion. I lean more toward ‘if you’re covered, … Read More

What a Little Time and Love Can Do

March 1, 2008 / Life, Nature / By Karen Shanley / 6 Comments

The Newest Animal Linguist on the Block

February 27, 2008 / Dogs in General, Nature / By Karen Shanley / 7 Comments

Alex, the gray parrot, and Washoe, the chimpanzee, (both recently deceased) are back in the news in this month’s National Geographic Magazine, in an article about understanding the animal’s mind. In it, the newest kid on the “smarts” block is featured. Are you ready? Yep, a Border Collie named Betsy, who knows more than 300 words. Look to being hearing lots more about her.

In the meantime, I thought you might enjoy this New York Times tribute to Alex and … Read More

Why Are There Only Boring Car Colors?

February 20, 2008 / Life / By Karen Shanley / 15 Comments

Lying here, coughing my brains out, I have more time than usual to contemplate the deep mysteries of life. Like why have car colors become so boring?

Think about it. What are our options? Take a look at any parking lot and this is what you’ll see. All pulled out of the same sock drawer of mismatched darks and lights. Pretty darn dull if you ask me.

There was a time when you could pick a car from nearly any … Read More

Teach Your Dog Hand Signals and Save Her Life

February 18, 2008 / Dog Training, Dogs in General, My Dogs and Me / By Karen Shanley / 12 Comments

Nutmeg saved her old dog, Ezra’s life today. From all the way across the front yard and down across the street!

Ezra, Nutmeg’s beloved 12 year old boxer, got out the front door and wandered across the street, before Nutmeg had a chance to realize. With four kids and a busy house, it happens. But Nutmeg did see Ezra in time to watch the speeding car heading straight for her, as she was about to step into the street.

Nutmeg … Read More

Buying Time

February 10, 2008 / Cait and Me / By Karen Shanley / 12 Comments

What I like most about my laptop is the freedom it gives me to set up shop anywhere in the house. This evening, I’ve parked myself in the living room by the fireplace. There’s nothing I love better than working by the warmth of a crackling fire.

Having finished her homework, Cait is drawn by the cozy flames. With a good book in hand, she makes herself comfortable in the chair across from me, knowing full well that in a … Read More

Hello Old Friend

February 6, 2008 / My Dogs and Me, Nature / By Karen Shanley / 12 Comments

Can you see him? He’s in the middle of the two clumps of trees. (Sorry the photos aren’t clearer. He was all the way across the pond, toward the ridge. Even with the digital 12x zoom, it was hard to get a good shot from this distance at dusk.)

I called out to say hello, and he turned to look. He’s such a big boy now.

This coyote and I go way back. All the way back to a field … Read More