Animals, Beauty, Farming, Pets and Livestock, Rural Living

And Now For Something Completely Different: Chicken Clucker Edition

So. I’ve about wrapped up, absent a bit of trim and the installation of an outdoor-accessible nest box–not an immediate priority because the elderly ladies involved rarely lay eggs anymore–the construction of my assisted-living chicken coop for the geezers.  It’s going to have to stay in the driveway for the winter, but it is on… Continue reading And Now For Something Completely Different: Chicken Clucker Edition

Literature, Pets and Livestock, Poetry, Quote of the Day, Rural Living, USMC, Writing

These Poems No Verbs

While this is a lovely little couplet, with nary a verb in sight, it’s not my favorite Ezra Pound poem. That one is his parody of the Medieval English round, “Sumer is Icumen In,” which starts out: Winter is Icumen In Lhudde sing Goddamm . . . And, indeed, I was singing away and giving… Continue reading These Poems No Verbs

Animals, Love, Pets and Livestock

Happy National Holistic Pet Day!

I have no bloody idea what "National Holistic Pet Day" is.  Wait one, while I investigate. Oh, here: [National] Holistic Pet Day was set up to try and bring more publicity to the idea that holistic treatments, where a pet’s lifestyle, diet and environment are fully considered, are more beneficial for their temporary health and… Continue reading Happy National Holistic Pet Day!

Animals, Beauty, Farming, Pets and Livestock

Adventures in Birding

Cross-posted from Ricochet.com, yesterday, August 19, 2023: Lo, these many years ago, those of us in the early days of the personal computer industry, we who depended on the success of the technology-in-its-infancy for our livelihoods, lusted after something we dubbed “the killer app.”  It had nothing to do with actual violence; we longed only for… Continue reading Adventures in Birding

Animals, Britishness, Culture, History, Military, Pets and Livestock, War

The Lady With the–Cats?

If Florence Nightingale were still alive, she’d have been 203 years old in 2023. She was born on May 12th, 1820, just a few short months after Mad King George (of American Revolution fame) breathed his last. By the time she died, 113 years ago this week, on August 13, 1910, George V (the current… Continue reading The Lady With the–Cats?

Animals, Farming, Healthcare, Pets and Livestock, Rural Living

Ruminations on the High Cost of Healthcare, and How to Bring it Down–2023

It's been almost exactly eight years since I published a version of the post below on Ricochet.  (Time really does fly when you're having fun.) I was reminded of it this week, when I had a rare encounter with health care of the human sort myself. On Monday night (it's now Saturday), I did my… Continue reading Ruminations on the High Cost of Healthcare, and How to Bring it Down–2023

Animals, Farming, Pets and Livestock, Rural Living

Moving On. You May Kiss the Bride!

I've known for many years now that there may come a time in my life when it's time to let go. And at this point--when it comes to the edge of my 79th year on this planet--I might be ready: Nature’s first green is gold, Her hardest hue to hold. Her early leaf’s a flower;… Continue reading Moving On. You May Kiss the Bride!

Animals, Love, Pets and Livestock, Relationships, Rural Living

Entertaining Angels: Here We Go Again Edition

Oh, yes.  Many have come before: Entertaining Angels: The Gift from God Edition Entertaining Angels: Life Comes Full Circle Edition (AKA the "Little Chick Chick Edition) Entertaining Angels: The Lamb in the Living Room Occasional Quote of the Day: Entertaining Angels And the one that started it all Entertaining Angels: Four-Legged Ones, Mostly Which brings… Continue reading Entertaining Angels: Here We Go Again Edition

Loss, Love, Pets and Livestock

Climin’ Psymon–Redux 2023

It's been a little more than three years (April 2020), since I first posted this, and perhaps it deserves another airing.  Psymon, who entered my life in mid-March 2019,  is--without doubt--the smartest, nicest, kindest, best companion and most charming cat I've ever known.***  I've always had a soft spot for 'gingers,'  (perhaps it's because I… Continue reading Climin’ Psymon–Redux 2023