I mourned at the news of his (her) passing. I was never really sure of the gender.
To be sure the little rascal had enjoyed a life much better than he could ever have contemplated.
Offered a home and meals when I'm sure he felt destined to spend his life crouching in forgotten places and scrounging for food... his good fortune must have seemed miraculous.
He gave that same fortune back to College Dude and Language Lass in the way only a devoted pet can.
I'm sure he enjoyed motoring around the house in the safety of his traveling sphere as much as his caretakers enjoyed watching his adventures.
Perhaps it was his extended stay at our home over the holidays that weakened his constitution. A mouse can deal with only so many cat encounters.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Westward,,, err Never Mind
I woke to the sound of rainwater gurgling in the downspouts and for once didn't have the urge to pull the covers back over my head.
Well, okay, I had the urge, but at this time of year rain is cause for elation when the alternative is considered.
I was fortunate that my job obligations today kept me in the southern end of the state as more northern climes were not sharing in the 48 degree weather mother nature had gifted my area with.
While on the road and listening to the radio announcers run down the list of closings in the ice covered areas to the north I got to thinking about the early settlers who might have loaded supplies into their wagon trains in warm weather only to encounter snow covered mountains on their journey.
And it occurred to me that I'm surprised all the lowlands to the east of the Appalachians are not one continuous metropolis. Because had I been leading one of those wagon trains and seen frozen peaks ahead, I would have been shouting commands to turn around and be thankful for what we have.
Well, okay, I had the urge, but at this time of year rain is cause for elation when the alternative is considered.
I was fortunate that my job obligations today kept me in the southern end of the state as more northern climes were not sharing in the 48 degree weather mother nature had gifted my area with.
While on the road and listening to the radio announcers run down the list of closings in the ice covered areas to the north I got to thinking about the early settlers who might have loaded supplies into their wagon trains in warm weather only to encounter snow covered mountains on their journey.
And it occurred to me that I'm surprised all the lowlands to the east of the Appalachians are not one continuous metropolis. Because had I been leading one of those wagon trains and seen frozen peaks ahead, I would have been shouting commands to turn around and be thankful for what we have.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Flower Dance
I watched a child dancing on flower petals in the shopping mall today.
I'm not sure if the purpose of the projection on the floor was to entertain children, but it certainly captivated one little girl. The projector in the ceiling kept a kaleidoscope of sunflowers, roses, and daisies circling in a five foot radius.
It was within that radius that the child squealed with delight every time the white tipped toe of her otherwise blue sneaker landed precisely in the middle of a flower. Oblivious to the foot traffic around her, the girl used outstretched arms to retain her balance while pirouetting like a ballerina.
My attention turned from the girl to the dozens of adults who gradually crowded around. While I'm sure the grownups found happiness in the girl's dance, it was sad to think that an adult would almost certainly never initiate a similar joyous moment.
I'm not sure if the purpose of the projection on the floor was to entertain children, but it certainly captivated one little girl. The projector in the ceiling kept a kaleidoscope of sunflowers, roses, and daisies circling in a five foot radius.
It was within that radius that the child squealed with delight every time the white tipped toe of her otherwise blue sneaker landed precisely in the middle of a flower. Oblivious to the foot traffic around her, the girl used outstretched arms to retain her balance while pirouetting like a ballerina.
My attention turned from the girl to the dozens of adults who gradually crowded around. While I'm sure the grownups found happiness in the girl's dance, it was sad to think that an adult would almost certainly never initiate a similar joyous moment.
Sunday, January 16, 2011
January Deceits
It's that time of year when my home begins to feel like a fun house.
Walls seem to close in, ceilings seem to lower, and suddenly it seems my shoulders are brushing the sides of doorways that just weeks ago were more than sufficient in width. It's the claustrophobia that comes from day after day after day of sub-freezing weather keeping me indoors.
So when inviting sunlight spilled through the windows this morning, I decided it was time for an outdoor activity. A simple walk around the block would be a welcome diversion.
After a hot breakfast and hot shower I layered on clothing and squeezed through the front door. Had the door frame turned from a rectangle to a parallelogram? Was I really going to need to stoop to clear the threshold?
Once outside, the golden light proved false. There was no warmth to be found in the glow. My excursion lasted only long enough to make it to the bottom of the front steps and back.
Thankfully I had the option of the glow from coals in fireplace.
Walls seem to close in, ceilings seem to lower, and suddenly it seems my shoulders are brushing the sides of doorways that just weeks ago were more than sufficient in width. It's the claustrophobia that comes from day after day after day of sub-freezing weather keeping me indoors.
So when inviting sunlight spilled through the windows this morning, I decided it was time for an outdoor activity. A simple walk around the block would be a welcome diversion.
After a hot breakfast and hot shower I layered on clothing and squeezed through the front door. Had the door frame turned from a rectangle to a parallelogram? Was I really going to need to stoop to clear the threshold?
Once outside, the golden light proved false. There was no warmth to be found in the glow. My excursion lasted only long enough to make it to the bottom of the front steps and back.
Thankfully I had the option of the glow from coals in fireplace.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Tree Squared
I came across a fun fact today: In Panama there is a place called "The Valley of Square Trees". It's the only known place in the world where trees have rectangular trunks.
And I got to wondering.... why haven't companies in North America and Canada been working on replanting harvested timberland with these square trees. Think how much easier every part of harvesting and milling would be. There would be no danger of round logs rolling off trucks, mills wouldn't have to slice off all the "round bits" before cutting flat boards... It would be a boon to the whole industry.
And think how much easier it would be to build a log cabin.
So why..... Oh, I get it. Just like the auto industry supposed hushed the existence of a carburetor that supposedly allowed a car to get 65 mpg years ago, the lumber industry has hushed the availability of a "grow your own house"
And I got to wondering.... why haven't companies in North America and Canada been working on replanting harvested timberland with these square trees. Think how much easier every part of harvesting and milling would be. There would be no danger of round logs rolling off trucks, mills wouldn't have to slice off all the "round bits" before cutting flat boards... It would be a boon to the whole industry.
And think how much easier it would be to build a log cabin.
So why..... Oh, I get it. Just like the auto industry supposed hushed the existence of a carburetor that supposedly allowed a car to get 65 mpg years ago, the lumber industry has hushed the availability of a "grow your own house"
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Sunday Peace
I was reviewing a past post relating to the passing of one of our family's cats. The posting ended with a single word. Peace.
The word had to do with inner peace rather than the absence of war. It struck me that western civilization has pretty much made the concept of Peace archaic. We folks in the modern world race from one appointment to the next, one assignment to the next, one project to the next, one chore to the next. We are forever promising ourselves we'll take care of one last obligation and then.....
Relax? Nah, we move on to one more task - or - we actually sit down, but then worry about the other things we should be doing.
We are connected 24/7 by cell phones and computers. We work twice as hard for weeks in order to go on vacation, then work twice as hard for weeks when we return. And chances are we e-mailed, texted, or IM'd folks at the office while we were on vacation.
Vacation is quickly a memory and soon we're promising ourselves we'll finish one more thing and then...
Remember when Sunday's were a day of rest? Businesses were closed. For the most part people stayed near home. Everyone RELAXED.
The world needs Sunday's back.
Peace.
The word had to do with inner peace rather than the absence of war. It struck me that western civilization has pretty much made the concept of Peace archaic. We folks in the modern world race from one appointment to the next, one assignment to the next, one project to the next, one chore to the next. We are forever promising ourselves we'll take care of one last obligation and then.....
Relax? Nah, we move on to one more task - or - we actually sit down, but then worry about the other things we should be doing.
We are connected 24/7 by cell phones and computers. We work twice as hard for weeks in order to go on vacation, then work twice as hard for weeks when we return. And chances are we e-mailed, texted, or IM'd folks at the office while we were on vacation.
Vacation is quickly a memory and soon we're promising ourselves we'll finish one more thing and then...
Remember when Sunday's were a day of rest? Businesses were closed. For the most part people stayed near home. Everyone RELAXED.
The world needs Sunday's back.
Peace.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Shoveling Tune
A shoveling we will go. A shoveling we will go. Hi Ho A-Dreary-O, a shoveling we will go.
The shovel hits the snow. The shovel hits the snow. Hi Ho A-Dreary-O, a shoveling we will go.
My back is aching now. My back is aching now. Hi Ho A-Dreary-O, a shoveling we will go.
I curse the snow to h.... I curse the snow to h.... Hi Ho A-Dreary-O, a shoveling we will go.
Tequila numbs the pain. Tequila numbs the pain. Hi Ho A-Dreary-O, a shoveling we will go.
The shovel hits the snow. The shovel hits the snow. Hi Ho A-Dreary-O, a shoveling we will go.
My back is aching now. My back is aching now. Hi Ho A-Dreary-O, a shoveling we will go.
I curse the snow to h.... I curse the snow to h.... Hi Ho A-Dreary-O, a shoveling we will go.
Tequila numbs the pain. Tequila numbs the pain. Hi Ho A-Dreary-O, a shoveling we will go.
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