As I try to make my way from one place in the house to another, I now have three animals (instead of the usual two) swirling about my feet. I am reminded of Pig-Pen’s dust clouds (of Charlie Brown fame). Only, while Pig-Pen could move nonchalantly along, unimpeded by his clouds, I must take every step with care so as not to trip over my living eddies.
I’ve learned to shuffle my feet since Finnegan has arrived, because he likes … Read More
Fall is my favorite time of year. I love the cool weather and the easing of outdoor chores. I love the light play of the sun on brilliantly colored foliage. I love the crisp smell in the air. There’s a quickening about this time of year that always stirs me. I don’t know why, but Fall also reminds me of my father. Maybe because it was his favorite time of year too.
Today, I had to be inside for the … Read More
I’ve been following Marc Bekoff’s work on Ethology (the scientific study of animal behavior) for years. He’s written and edited a number of books on the subject, including The Smile of a Dolphin: Remarkable Accounts of Animal Emotions, a collection of short essays on animal behavior.
One of his recent articles asks the question of animal research scientists, “Would you do it to your dog?”, in an attempt to address the question of animal experimentation in general, while highlighting … Read More
Kiera sits as sentry, while Cait and I get ready for a little stargazing before shut-eye. No amount of coaxing will get her to join us in the tent. Her self-appointed job is to periodically patrol the perimeters of our property.
Good thing she’s safely fenced in and other critters fenced out, because we live on a little corner of the wild kingdom. Cait and I sleep well knowing that she’s on the job.… Read More
It’s a raw and rainy fall day here, in Upstate NY. I harvested the last from my french intensive garden. In another week, I’ll plant the garlic bulbs I dug up and dried back in July. The ones left anyway… My hardneck garlic has become legendary among family members for its flavor and sweetness, and they grab as much of it as they can.
Reflecting back on this gardening season, it was a mixed bag. A combination of too much … Read More
Caitlin does a wonderful job of taking care of her kitten, Finnegan. (I still can’t get over that my daughter has turned out to be a cat person rather than a dog person…) Except for one thing. She’s not loving cleaning the litter box, and so needs to be reminded.
When I ask her this morning, she replies that she hasn’t. I suggest that she take care of it, while it’s still fresh on her mind.
She starts walking out … Read More
I would order up an hour of silence every day. All human-generated noise would cease. All cars and planes would stop. Bass booming radios thumping out of car windows would go silent. Construction of any kind would momentarily end. TVs, computers, radios, and all electronic equipment would be turned off. And all humans would go stand outside in nature and rediscover what they’ve been missing.… Read More
