If only this could go on forever. Perfect Weather. I wake, cuddled on the sofa, with the hum from the basement signaling warmth is on its way. Savoring the heat, I hear the click, click, click and then whoosh as the burners light in the kitchen. The high-pitch whistle of the teakettle. I know this … Continue reading In My Own Voice # 17: The Most Wonderful Time of the Year
Category: weather
I’m Melting
The Wizard of Oz’s Wicked Witch of the West isn’t the only one who melts. I do too. Half the human members in my home are able to roll with excessive heat and half of us melt. As a melter, I’m lucky that Pettigrew isn’t a fan of heat either. Together, we’ve been heading out … Continue reading I’m Melting
In My Own Voice # 14: Summer Came All Too Quickly
It’s hot. It’s humid. Perfect for a siesta. But definitely not perfect for a walk. All I want to do is find a warm patch of grass, stretch out my legs, and rest. Doesn’t that sound nice to you? But no. She doesn’t get it. Walking a few blocks through this miasma is exhausting. I … Continue reading In My Own Voice # 14: Summer Came All Too Quickly
Signs of Spring
Wednesday was the vernal equinox, the start of spring, complete with a super worm moon, which, I learned after consulting the internet, merely means that worms are more active now and are appearing in the soil! As someone who teaches environmental education and spends plenty of time flipping rocks and logs in search of worms … Continue reading Signs of Spring
In My Own Voice #13: Just Kill Me Now
Can you explain what’s going on? Seriously, I don’t understand. The paw washing persists! Yes, you read that right. The white, wet stuff is gone from the ground, but the paw washing continues. Is this the new normal? I say, empathically, No. I had been somewhat reconciled when I thought washing was a necessary evil … Continue reading In My Own Voice #13: Just Kill Me Now
In My Own Voice #12: Wonderful, Wonderful Winter
What’s not to love? That burst of cold air when you step outside. The breeze that ruffles your fur and flips an ear. The cold, wet ground permeating through your paws. The discovery that the world has been coated white. The muted crunch as snow collapses under your weight. The joy of it! I zip … Continue reading In My Own Voice #12: Wonderful, Wonderful Winter
All is White; It Snowed Last Night
Cold. Wet. White. Wonderful, wonderful snow! Pettigrew zips in tight circles around our snow-filled yard. Bounds through drifts. Stops on our walks to mark every snow pile from a cleared off sidewalk or driveway. Is it the joy of discovering a world transformed? Something new to enliven the old? Today he led me on a … Continue reading All is White; It Snowed Last Night
The Weather Outside is Frightful…*
It was close to an ultimatum. One minute I was curled up on the couch, talking to one of my oldest friends curled up opposite me. Between us, Pettigrew lounged. The next minute I was contemplating the ending of a friendship that had spanned decades. How had this happened? Weren’t we just catching up after … Continue reading The Weather Outside is Frightful…*
The Allure of Novelty
In one of our local parks there is a water fountain that includes a doggie bowl. Yes, I had never seen one of these before either, but we live in a very pet-friendly neighborhood. Likewise Pettigrew was ignorant of the fountain’s use and showed no curiosity as we walked by it. Truthfully, I wasn’t in … Continue reading The Allure of Novelty
Above My (and His) Pay Grade
Earlier this week I finally bit the bullet and called a plumber. We had a slow leak under our kitchen sink. I kept thinking I had fixed it, until I pulled out the trash can and noticed that the bottom was wet again. I had dumped baking soda and vinegar down the drain followed by … Continue reading Above My (and His) Pay Grade
Ruth Polk 