You can ask anyone—I have absolutely NO sense of direction whatsoever, and am completely geographically challenged. In fifth grade, just like everyone else, I learned all of the states and their capitals. Today, if you put a map in front of me, I can still name the states of the West Coast, the Deep South,… Continue reading The Adventures of Dad, Yes, Again
The Dentist Will See You Now, or Why I am Not a Veterinarian
I’m usually pretty good at keeping track of all things medical—when my kids were vaccinated, when I need my mammograms and PAP smears, when the girl dogs come into season and when the horses need to see the dentist. So when Norman the Lipizzaner arrived home from the boarding stable underweight, and two weeks later… Continue reading The Dentist Will See You Now, or Why I am Not a Veterinarian
This is Not a Lending Library
The first time it happened, I was convinced that the book was somehow misplaced. We had had an open house in the department, with large groups touring our new and very high tech facility. I thought perhaps the cleaning service had tucked the book away for safe keeping. But it was odd that of the… Continue reading This is Not a Lending Library
Old Dog Lying In The Sun
The old dog barks backwards without getting up. I can remember when he was a pup. – Robert Frost If you live in a multi-pet household, as I do, you will know the one I am talking about. The dog that never caused anyone any trouble, never barked, never bit, never peed in the house,… Continue reading Old Dog Lying In The Sun
Cast A Cold Eye
“By his command these words are cut: Cast a Cold Eye, on Life, on Death. Horseman pass by.” “Under Ben Bulben”, by William Butler Yeats, inscribed on his tombstone. Yeats has always been my favorite poet. From the full upper lip depicted in early photographs and paintings of him, to his unrequited love for Maud… Continue reading Cast A Cold Eye
Love, Loss and All That Remains
“Don’t ever tell anybody anything—if you do you start missing everybody.” Holden Caulfield From The Catcher In The Rye, by J.D. Salinger I don’t know whether it’s fitting, or selfish that on this anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks I was remembering my friend Catherine Doyle, who died last December 18. I had gone into… Continue reading Love, Loss and All That Remains
The Youngest and Oldest Man in The Room
Another guest blog tonight, this time from my husband. Enjoy! This week I was making a business presentation when the audiovisual system crashed. Since no one jumped up to fix it, I joked, “Who’s the youngest person present? Bet they can fix it.” This supposition is based on long-term personal experience in our household. … Continue reading The Youngest and Oldest Man in The Room
A Brief News Update From the Animal House
If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you know that I have quite a little menagerie here. In my animal loving prime, when I had a lot more energy than I do now, we had 5 Scottish deerhounds, one Brussels Griffon, two cats, two guinea pigs and eight horses, at least one of… Continue reading A Brief News Update From the Animal House
The Gift of the Magi
When I was young, one of my favorite stories was O. Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi.” Originally published in 1905, the short story became standard fare in public school reading classes and I doubt that there are any of you out there who have not read it. But just in case– the story is… Continue reading The Gift of the Magi
When Life Gives You Lemons
When I was about ten years old, swimming on a Texas swim team, I remember hearing that the child of one of the local coaches had been diagnosed with leukemia. The idea of a kid dying of an untreatable disease was so foreign to me that I am sure that I have blocked out most… Continue reading When Life Gives You Lemons