Category Archives: Animalia

Weekend Coffee Share 10/16/16

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If we were having coffee, I’d tell you I’m not feeling very enthusiastic today. Which I guess is okay. It’s a dreary day in the Pacific Northwest. Yesterday had been forecast to see the “Storm of the Decade” roll in from the Pacific Ocean, remnants of Typhoon Songda. Heavy rainfall and high winds were expected to wreak extensive damage along the coastline and inland to the urban areas of Seattle, WA and Portland, OR.

There was indeed some damage: fallen trees, power outages and some flooding; but not nearly as severe as had been forecast. Which I’m sure is no consolation for those who did experience loss.

But maybe that’s what’s contributing to my sense of letdown. Anxiousness and uncertainty was draining on my energy and now there’s no major outcome to justify the concerns. The adrenaline of anticipated danger had nowhere to go since no immediate emergency presented itself for me to address. Not that I’m complaining, mind you. Although that’s what it sounds like. Hmmm…

If we were having coffee, I’d tell you that my dog Chules couldn’t wait to go outside once the worst of the storm passed and I felt relatively confident that he wouldn’t get hit by falling branches. I think he enjoyed the feeling of the strong winds ruffling through his thick fur. As for me, I was content to stay indoors and watch the rain.

I suppose I should step away from the computer and try to do something constructive around the house. That would probably lift my mood. Even though we averted the Storm of the Decade, there will be many dark, cloudy, windy, rainy days ahead this fall and winter. And spring.

I think Pacific Northwesterners were meant to hibernate through the dark winter months, but then someone invented electricity to keep our days lighted and warm. And then someone invented mortgages and car payments and other responsibilities which the bears and rodents and other mammals that hole up for the winter have wisely not encumbered themselves with.

Thanks for stopping by for coffee. Hopefully the weather and I will be less dreary next weekend. Until then, let’s stay warm and dry, and remember to go out and let the wind ruffle our hair a bit. Chules highly recommends it.

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Thanks to Diana at ParttimeMonsterBlog.com for hosting the #weekendcoffeeshare.

The Literary Styles of Pets

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The Skimmer sifts through many books quickly, but can’t decide on which to read until they’ve slept on it.

 

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The Marathoner tries to read all the books in the library, but eventually must concede to exhaustion.

 

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The Ill-tempered peruses the books, and finding nothing of interest (i.e. food treats), sits and stares daggers at the librarian.

The Daily Post Discover Challenge: Animal

Nine Lives

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One day you ran away from me.
You dashed between two cars.
With three great leaps you crossed four lanes.
I thanked your lucky stars.

Five dogs behind a six foot fence
you noticed noticed you.
You didn’t see the seven inch gap
that let them slip right through.

Eight inches from your heels they chased;
you couldn’t take much more.
The dogs howled with dismay as you
slammed through your small cat door.

Twas just that morn nine lives you had;
lost eight while on the run.
You scared me nearly half to death.
Now we’re down to half plus one.

JNW’s Halloween Challenge Day 4: Cat

Weekend Coffee Share 10/1/16

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If we were having coffee, I would tell you that my adventures in landscaping continue.

I pulled some more railroad ties out from the dirt bank that they were supposed to be supporting in my back yard. In reality, the ties were so rotten that the only things holding them against the bank were plant roots that had laced their way through the crumbling wood.

One railroad tie held a defunct wasp nest that dropped out in pieces when I moved the tie. Ah, yes. I remember that nest well.

My lawnmower had inadvertently upset the demon insects a couple of years ago, and they had come pouring out of the holes in the railroad tie intent on retaliation. Unfortunately, the lawnmower pointed the finger at me, and so I was the recipient of multiple wasp stings, wasps caught in my hair, and wasps in my house where they had pursued me when I attempted to escape.

My first thought, when I picked up the crumbly layers and saw the wasp carcasses stuck in the pockets of the nest, was – well, not charitable.

My second thought was, “Hey, I bet my granddaughter would find this interesting!” So when my daughter stopped by the house a few days later, I gifted her with the erstwhile insects to share with her little one. She was thrilled!

If we were having coffee, you’d probably be making a mental note to not invite me to participate in your Secret Santa pool. Hard telling what anonymous gifts might end up in the mix.

But, wait! It gets better!

Yesterday when raking leaves in my back yard I uncovered a small jawbone with some ragged-looking teeth still in residence.

My first thought was, “Hey, I bet my granddaughter would find this interesting!”

My second thought was, “Wow, my granddaughter is going to think I’m really weird if I keep giving her dead things.”

I’m not sure to what species the teeth belong. Opossum? Cat? Raccoon? Regardless, the mystery mandible is in a plastic baggy on top of my fridge, awaiting pick up by my daughter. She’ll be thrilled!

* * *

Would you like more coffee? I’ve got something else to show you that I found in the back yard the other day.

Yes, it once was alive. Yes, it’s now dead. Yes, it’s a bit decayed…

Oh, you have to leave now? Well that was sudden, but okay. I’ll just tuck it away to show you next time.

Trust me, you’ll be thrilled!

Thanks to Diana at PartTimeMonsterBlog.com for hosting the #weekendcoffeeshare.