A Thanksgiving Cautionary Tale The NYTimes captured it best when Food Writer Andy Baraghani wrote of the “hopeful, organized, slightly naïve” feeling when you are planning for Thanksgiving, but it’s so far away that anything, and, unfortunately, everything seems possible. In my family, I host Thanksgiving and everyone brings food. In fact, so much of … Continue reading Number 9: Pinecone Tablescape
Author: authorpolk
I live in the suburbs of Washington, DC with my dog, husband, and two sons. I teach environmental education and am a librarian. I also write children's books and hope to be published one day. In the meantime, I blog about the crazy things my dog Pettigrew does.
Buddy by Default
Can you be someone’s buddy if you haven’t agreed, don’t know, and aren’t changing your behavior from what you’d normally do? These are the kinds of questions I ponder while Zadie, my friend’s dog, makes her home-away-from-home with us while her family’s away for several weeks and one of my kids is pet sitting. There … Continue reading Buddy by Default
Dogbnb
My husband used to periodically float the idea that we would manage some rental properties. It was something his parents do with great success. My answer was always an empathic No. I can barely, just barely, tolerate keeping our home in working order. The idea of increasing the amount of time I would have to … Continue reading Dogbnb
Marking the One-Year Anniversary of Pettigrew’s Death
It’s been a year since our beloved Pettigrew died. He was a mutt by parentage, but a prince in bearing and personality. After an unfortunate encounter with a mail truck, he survived for a week, even rallied, before succumbing to his injuries. At the time of his death, I had been blogging regularly for years, … Continue reading Marking the One-Year Anniversary of Pettigrew’s Death
The Perils of a Bucket List
Spoiler alert: this is not a typical post. It deals with some challenging and sad or disturbing topics. I don’t blame you if you don’t want to read on. Writing blogs is a way for me to process challenging experiences and emotions. And so, I wrote this one. I never thought about Pettigrew’s bucket list, … Continue reading The Perils of a Bucket List
In My Own Voice #42: Tips from an Elder Statesman
This is a dog-to-dog blog. It’s not something I’d like the Humans to read. So please, don’t share it. Just a few life lessons from yours truly, who’s been around the block and then some. As a “rescue” who did the free-range thing in West Virginia before settling down with my forever family, I’ve picked … Continue reading In My Own Voice #42: Tips from an Elder Statesman
Pettigrew’s Reducing Regime
For those of you who have been following this blog, you know that our elderly dog has lately been off his food. This is complicated by the fact that he has an Incredibly delicate constitution so tempting him with substitutions from his typical diet is fraught. We’ve been warming his food to heighten its aromas. … Continue reading Pettigrew’s Reducing Regime
In My Own Voice #41: I Am Not a Tool For Your Procrastination
The Woman sometimes has trouble settling down at her desk. I sense her agitation. Up and down the steps she pounds carrying baskets full of clothes. Down she stomps with the clothes smelling of my family. A short time later she repeats her march carrying back up the stairs clothes wiped of all good scents. … Continue reading In My Own Voice #41: I Am Not a Tool For Your Procrastination
Tumbling Down the COVID Hole
Like Alice in Wonderland who found herself in a topsy-turvy world when she followed the rabbit down a hole, my family was turned upside down a few weeks ago when first one, and then another came down with COVID. In educational circles there’s a concept called windows and mirrors. Loosely defined it refers to how … Continue reading Tumbling Down the COVID Hole
In My Own Voice # 40: Holiday Love
This time of year, the house fills with delicious smells and I wait, expectantly, patiently, hopefully on the couch until the scrape of the knife against the sharpener. Then and only then is it time to move to the kitchen. Pettigrew gets a tidbit. Sometimes, it's clearly not accidental at all! My position? Seated. Front … Continue reading In My Own Voice # 40: Holiday Love
Ruth Polk 