"The difference between the almost right word and the right word is really a large matter." —Mark Twain
Our other children
The dogs had their teeth cleaned Tuesday. You who do not have dogs might not know what a big deal this is. Antibiotics and anesthesia, and in Maxie’s case more antibiotics after, because in addition to the cleaning she had to have a couple of rotten teeth extracted. The girls were just coming out of anesthesia when […]
After all, I’m not a scientist. Why are Republicans still fixated on President Obama’s otherness? Especially now, when Obama’s in the final year-and-a-half of his final term in office, soon to join the ranks of former presidents? You’d think after Obama decisively won his second election, and after it became clear the threat of impeachment […]
Two days ago Schatzi got into a scrap at the dog park. There were eight or nine balls on the grass, but Schatzi took a shine to one in particular, a thick rubber orange job about the size of a tennis ball. She’s going blind but still has some vision, and I suspect she could […]
Sorry, I can’t help it. None of us can. When we look at dogs we see ourselves in them, no matter how often scientists warn us against attributing human feelings, thoughts, and emotions to non-human animals.
Donna was in bed by 10:00 PM on New Year’s Eve, but Polly and I rousted her out just before midnight to see the first snowfall of the winter. It was still coming down a minute later, making it the first snowfall of 2015 as well. We heard a few gunshots mixed in with the firecrackers, also […]
I’m not one to quote Bible verses, but Isiah 11:6 came strongly to mind when I glanced over at the couch last night and witnessed this peaceful scene: Another quote came simultaneously to mind, this one by Ronald Reagan: “Trust, but verify.” Clearly, the Christmas Truce has begun.
Donna and I spent most of Thanksgiving week in Las Vegas, Nevada, visiting our son Gregory, daughter-in-law Beth, and grandson Quentin. Taylor, our granddaughter, stayed in Seattle for the holiday so we didn’t get to see her this trip, but our daughter Polly and her boyfriend David drove up from Ajo, Arizona, so we were […]
I’m souring on Twitter. It’s still of use as a check on breaking news, but god, so many assholes piling on other assholes. It’s not just #gamergate: the other day I read a long series of tweets that seemed to be accusing actor Rainn Wilson of being a rapist. That was news to me, so I Googled it: apparently Wilson […]