Tag: animals

Foxes in the Neighborhood

Do you ever see wild animals?

Animals have a way of sneaking into civilized areas. It’s hard to visit a place where there aren’t any animals at all, and if you do, it’s probably a place you shouldn’t be visiting if you value your health.

Living in a small town, I see my fair share of wildlife. There are, of course, the usual suspects – squirrels, crows, ravens, and various buzzing insects – but I have very rarely had the privilege of spying a deer warily crossing the street at dusk or dawn.

However, my most notable animal encounters were with the same animal: red foxes. Twice, I’ve seen them. Heck, it could have been the same fox. Both times, the bold beast was out in the open in early morning, fearless as could be, trotting across the plaza without a care in the world. Beautiful creatures, with fine, red-orange coats, and clearly well-fed and healthy. I imagine foxes are a lot like coyotes, making use of the garbage that humans throw out.

They were memorable moments. It’s strange to think of animals like foxes and deer as common in the U.S., and yet not see them very often. Unless you going to work early, like I do, you miss out on opportunities to witness them going about their day. But it’s lovely when you get the chance.

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Many thanks for visiting my blog. I post updates on my writing career, I muse over storytelling and fiction, and I reflect on the curious and wonderful things in life.

“Hermes is not having the best time. He walks a fine line, and his duty as messenger of Olympus weighs heavily on him. Being a god in the modern age means living in a world that no longer believes in gods. How much can one deity accomplish when no one respects him anymore? And why do his instincts tell him that he, the son of Zeus, is losing favor with his own family?

Tensions abound. The upstart Young Gods play dangerous games using entire cities as their boards. Formless monsters strike from the nighttime shadows, terrorizing hapless mortals. Agents of rival pantheons scheme to thwart Olympus’ designs. In the thick of it all, Hermes does what he does best: trick, lie, and cheat his way to victory.“

Talkin’ About Pets

What is good about having a pet.

I like animals. I especially like dogs and cats. I used to be more of a dog person, but exposure to cats has gradually drawn me into the position of “likes both equally.” Pets are loyal, don’t judge, don’t criticize, and if they’re furry, are good for hugs and cuddles. A well-trained pet is a very good friend.

I used to have a pet of my own when I was a kid, a rabbit named Timmy. But that was a long time ago, and as I got older, I realized something.

I liked having a pet, but I like other people’s pets even more.

It’s a bit selfish. I visit friends and see their dogs or cats, and after hanging out, can go home where I don’t have to worry about feeding a pet, cleaning them, taking them in for medical checkups or otherwise dealing with the responsibilities of actually having to raise an animal. It’s kind of like having grandchildren or nieces and nephews. You visit for the day, have fun with them, then leave.

Well-behaved pets are friendly and loveable. I just happen to love them when they’re someone else’s responsibility. Oh, well.

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Many thanks for visiting my blog. I post updates on my writing career, I muse over storytelling and fiction, and I reflect on the curious and wonderful things in life.

“Hermes is not having the best time. He walks a fine line, and his duty as messenger of Olympus weighs heavily on him. Being a god in the modern age means living in a world that no longer believes in gods. How much can one deity accomplish when no one respects him anymore? And why do his instincts tell him that he, the son of Zeus, is losing favor with his own family?

Tensions abound. The upstart Young Gods play dangerous games using entire cities as their boards. Formless monsters strike from the nighttime shadows, terrorizing hapless mortals. Agents of rival pantheons scheme to thwart Olympus’ designs. In the thick of it all, Hermes does what he does best: trick, lie, and cheat his way to victory.“

Dogs and Cats

Dogs or cats?

Dogs. Definitely dogs. I love dogs. They’re jolly, gregarious and always ready to play. Dogs are cool. I like them in all varieties.

Well, except for small dogs. Little dogs lean a bit too much toward the yappy side for me. But retrievers, German shepherds and their ilk are totally fine.

Cats are chill, but sometimes too chill. They walk across your lap when you’re sitting on the couch, and if you try to move them, their claws dig into your pants. Cats are a little too aloof for my tastes.

I’m an introspective guy myself, and I like my privacy, but cats sometimes just flat out pretend you don’t exist. I also sometimes pretend people around me don’t exist, but nobody ever said that was a good thing. I don’t need the animal kingdom to reinforce a bad habit.

So, I prefer dogs. They enjoy life. And they always look like they’re smiling.

***

Many thanks for visiting my blog. I post updates on my writing career, I muse over storytelling and fiction, and I reflect on the curious and wonderful things in life.

“Hermes is not having the best time. He walks a fine line, and his duty as messenger of Olympus weighs heavily on him. Being a god in the modern age means living in a world that no longer believes in gods. How much can one deity accomplish when no one respects him anymore? And why do his instincts tell him that he, the son of Zeus, is losing favor with his own family?

Tensions abound. The upstart Young Gods play dangerous games using entire cities as their boards. Formless monsters strike from the nighttime shadows, terrorizing hapless mortals. Agents of rival pantheons scheme to thwart Olympus’ designs. In the thick of it all, Hermes does what he does best: trick, lie, and cheat his way to victory.“

Bats Are Cute. Prove Me Wrong.

Sometimes, daily prompts are quite wonderfully bizarre. For example:

Jot down the first thing that comes to your mind.

Okay, you asked for it. The very first thing …

Bats are cute. A lot cuter than people give them credit for.

Maybe I should have waited until Halloween to do this.

Anyway, bats are adorable and get a bad rap for being scary, bloodsucking, grotesque monsters akin to rats on wings. This is untrue and unjust to bats. Even ugly bats wrap around the event horizon and come shooting back out into the realm of cuteness. Bats deserve to be respected.

I mean, look at this. Is this the terror that flaps in the night? No, it’s a cute little baby bundle of fluff. Or this. And this, too. Respect the bat!

And that’s all I have to say about that. The first thing that came to mind for today’s blog post.

***

Many thanks for visiting my blog. I post updates on my writing career, I muse over storytelling and fiction, and I reflect on the curious and wonderful things in life.

“Hermes is not having the best time. He walks a fine line, and his duty as messenger of Olympus weighs heavily on him. Being a god in the modern age means living in a world that no longer believes in gods. How much can one deity accomplish when no one respects him anymore? And why do his instincts tell him that he, the son of Zeus, is losing favor with his own family?

Tensions abound. The upstart Young Gods play dangerous games using entire cities as their boards. Formless monsters strike from the nighttime shadows, terrorizing hapless mortals. Agents of rival pantheons scheme to thwart Olympus’ designs. In the thick of it all, Hermes does what he does best: trick, lie, and cheat his way to victory.“

Ode to the Ant

Behold the ant

Small and squishy, or so they say

Feeble and tiny, or so they claim

And yet…

Watch the ant work without ceasing

Watch her climb and build and lift and strive

Alone she is ended by the bottom of a shoe

In her thousands she makes fodder of your toes

Behold the ant

She is small, but she is mighty

She lifts boulders bigger than herself

She builds cities beneath our own

She farms, she wars, she thrives

Don’t mess with the little ant

She’s clearly doing something right

And there’s more of her than you

Many thanks for visiting my blog. I post updates on my writing career, I muse over storytelling and fiction, and I reflect on the curious and wonderful things in life.