Elf the Corgi is now an only dog. Throughout yesterday and the day before she and her human, Emily, sat with their faithful companion of eight years, Opus the Dachshund-Terrier, in his final hours. He passed at home, in his crate, about 4:30 in the afternoon of April 17, aged fourteen years. There was a … Continue reading Of dogs… and then there was one
Category: Animals
Changing seasons, out and in
This is the final blog that I will write on this faithful small MacBook, for which I traded in my last iMac two and a half years ago. Another state, another life, a different, much smaller notebook to make the transition away from New Mexico with me. It's a peek at other goodbyes, as well. … Continue reading Changing seasons, out and in
Yosemite Bear is hiding again
Some of Yosemite's wildlife have been getting awfully comfortable during the tourist-free period they have been experiencing. Bears in particular made free with fruit in the park's apple trees. The national park closed to the public for many days while over a thousand firefighters wrestled down a monster wildfire close to the park, two good, … Continue reading Yosemite Bear is hiding again
Carpets can have crop circles
Of late mysterious little shapes like crop circles have been showing up in the (none too thick) dark brown carpeting of my apartment’s main bedroom. The one I share with Elf the Corgi and Opus the Dachs-Terr. The things unfailingly appear in the evenings, after dinner, before the dogs’ final outing of the day. Usually … Continue reading Carpets can have crop circles
We now put our paws on oranges and olives
Olives and oranges dot backyards and some sidewalks here in Fresno. In lots of other California localities as well. This is, however, a bit of an anomaly for Elf, Opus and me, being fresh from New Mexico where neither tree grows, much. Whoever thought these dogs might find themselves No-No’d for trying to snack on … Continue reading We now put our paws on oranges and olives
Elf the Corgi’s Bad Day
Today her humans are celebrating the birthday of one of Elf the Corgi’s best friends, name of Jericha. Spirits are light, brightness sets the air a-sparkle, and Elf’s eyes shine as well. But earlier in the week she was struggling with unfamiliar pains in her lady-dog bits. It hurt to pee, and the stalwart corgi … Continue reading Elf the Corgi’s Bad Day
Roadrunners in winter, part 3 of a series
Hanging around in between other people's doings is what I am doing these days. First my daughter's wedding, then my move to Fresno, where she has moved with her new husband. The apartment I have dibs on is not yet ready. Thus I spend long days still in Mountain View, fitfully packing, chatting with Elf … Continue reading Roadrunners in winter, part 3 of a series
Small shocks of life
Things have been a tad upside down and inside out in life around here lately. Jericha, my daughter, is unusually busy, between work, Baha’i projects and her social life, while the dogs and I have mainly been keeping the condo company. As usual, while I continue to hope my power wheelchair gets repaired sometime before … Continue reading Small shocks of life
Playing with the durm und strang
My daughter has been wearing earrings in the form of black cats, spiders, pumpkins and ghosts for a couple of weeks now. She works at a pre-school, where naturally a dress-up holiday featuring yummy snacks is a Big Deal. When I visited the pre-school earlier this month the walls of all the rooms were covered … Continue reading Playing with the durm und strang
Roadrunner seasons: Fall
This is the second installment about Roadrunners in the desert west. The season this time is fall In our early years in unincorporated county south of Albuquerque one roadrunner frequently enjoyed a sunbath atop the shed in the corner of the weedy paddock. Lizards, horned toads, garter snakes and grasshoppers abounded below in the days … Continue reading Roadrunner seasons: Fall
Rising Over the Smoke 