Goldilocks is the quintessential picky kid. Turning up her pert nose and shaking her bouncy golden curls at other people’s preferences. They weren’t good enough for her. Or so I’ve always thought. Maybe inflexibility was more her challenge. In her world, there were right and wrong options. After all, it only took three tries for … Continue reading Rethinking Goldilocks: Was She Actually Easy to Please?
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.
Embrace Your Inner Cat
Without thunder and lightening’s fanfare, the rain came with a suddenness and force that kept me glued to the window. Curled in an armchair, I stared at the fat drops splashing into already swollen puddles. The torrent that had formed in the street left no prisoners behind. Almost a vibration, the rush of water falling … Continue reading Embrace Your Inner Cat
Separation Anxiety
Pandemic pups are struggling. Originally adopted to brighten the lives of people isolating in their homes as they followed social distancing guidelines and didn’t see friends, family, or co-workers, the pups are now finding it’s hard to be alone as their families resume their former activities. Since I don't know anyone with a pandemic puppy, … Continue reading Separation Anxiety
Cool Dad: Fun Dad
My husband tends to be the more indulgent one, the person Pettigrew knows he can wrap around his paw, see How I Know George Lucas Had a Dog. But sometimes, like today, there really is no effort required. https://ruthpolk.com/2017/09/24/how-i-know-george-lucas-had-a-dog/ In his younger days, Pettigrew was always on high alert whenever there were signs that the … Continue reading Cool Dad: Fun Dad
In My Own Voice #36: The Fake Out
These hot muggy days really drag me down. No matter when we go out, the weather is dreary. The Woman is usually amenable to cutting our walks short if I’m just not up for it, but sometimes she resists. On those dreadful occasions, instead of following my lead when I turn, she forcibly drags my … Continue reading In My Own Voice #36: The Fake Out
Goodnight, Sweet Dreams
Pettigrew has a firm sense of bedtime. Bedtime is, perforce, different than nap time. Nap time is a variable entity. Nap time happens whenever, wherever. It’s fluid. Nap time. The need for a nap could strike after breakfast, in the early afternoon, or the late afternoon. A delightful nap can be enjoyed under the dining … Continue reading Goodnight, Sweet Dreams
In My Own Voice #35: The Worst Night of My Life
It started, as these things often do, with something so deceptively wonderful that I was completely blindsided when everything went south. Typically, the Woman and I have a bit of a back and forth around when to eat dinner. Invariably, I have to remind her not once, not twice, but three or more times before … Continue reading In My Own Voice #35: The Worst Night of My Life
A Senior Moment
On a lovely evening sitting around the firepit with dear friends we found ourselves confronting some sobering truths about the future. We met when we were one-child families and have stayed friends as each of our families have grown to include a second child and, inevitably, a dog. In my friends’ cases, make that two … Continue reading A Senior Moment
The Color of Thread
When our sons were toddlers, I would invite them to select the color of thread to use for patching holes in their pants. I can picture the soft curls on their heads as they bent over the sewing basket in my lap, tiny hands rustling through the scissors, buttons, and pins before picking their chosen … Continue reading The Color of Thread
In My Own Voice #35: The Music’s Back!
Feeling frisky again! The weirdest thing happened after that infamous trip to the vet. My world went silent. OK, just so you don’t worry, I don’t really mean my world. I didn’t suddenly become deaf or anything. But I no longer made any sound as I moved around. It was eerie. Never before had I … Continue reading In My Own Voice #35: The Music’s Back!
Ruth Polk 