When I was growing up, we lived out in the country where there were a lot of animals, but not a lot of kids. Animals were my constant companions. When I wasn’t busy with my horses, dogs, cats, and the cows (not ours) out in the back pasture, I’d amuse myself with my mind. Like my daughter, Caitlin, I wasn’t a great sleeper, so while lying awake at night I’d often play “What If” games.
Some of my “What If’s” … Read More
I’m someone who needs a lot of freedom; I often find it a challenge to be locked into anything predictable or confining. I prefer to keep things open and flexible–and spontaneous. To satisfy these needs, I’ve always worked for myself so that I could keep my crazy schedule. I typically have several projects going at a time so I can move from one to another when I get bored or burnt out.
Being in possession of such a fierce streak … Read More
Just a few days ago it was 67 degrees here! Here, as in cold upstate NY here. It actually felt hot outside, and people were walking around in shorts and tee shirts. I know this is supposed to be from El Nino, but it’s just downright weird. So weird that I can’t even fully enjoy the balmy temperatures. It’s the middle of January for pete’s sake! It’s supposed to be in the teens with lots of white stuff on the … Read More
The integration of Finnegan, Cait’s kitten, into our home as gone better than my wildest dreams. Both Kiera and Graidy have pretty high prey drives, so there was no guarantee that it would work out, never mind work out smoothly.
Now, wherever you find one, you’ll find the other two. They’ve become inseparable.
The usual bedtime at the Shanley’s.… Read More
As I struggled to make it through the Holiday hoopla with a good attitude, I had a momentary lapse during an especially tiresome gathering.
Briefly moving away from the crowd, wanting to catch a second wind, I stepped outside, looked up at the stars, and quietly sighed, “God help me…”
Cait, never more than a few inches away from me in these kinds of social situations, and not missing a beat, said, “God can only help when there’s a problem, … Read More
Last night the wolves called my name.
Not the name I now carry,
but the one I was known by,
a million winters ago.
How they knew it was me I am not sure,
for I knew it not myself,
but part of me knew,
and part of me answered,
“Come, my brothers, let us run together,
Let us weave the patches of moonlight
into a story, written on
the fresh fallen snow.
For the world in sunlight to know… Read More
New Year’s Resolutions are part and parcel of starting out the new year. As friends were talking about their lists, I started wondering what our pets’ New Year’s Resolutions might be.
Here’s a guess at my three fur balls’ resolutions:
Kiera, my Australian Shepherd’s resolution might be: “I will resolve to stop herding my people when they suddenly move too fast and make those herky-jerky motions. On second thought… Nah. Someone’s got to keep the order around here.”
Graidy, my … Read More
Go ahead. Laugh. Get it out of your system. I’ll wait.
Yes, I know I look like that guy in the Fargo movie. But I don’t care. This is still my favorite Christmas present, no matter what anybody thinks.
Kiera likes to walk everyday. Regardless of what the thermometer reads. I’m here to tell you — upstate NY gets COLD in the middle of winter. But me? I’ll be toasty warm in my ridiculous looking hat with the fake fur … Read More
