Category Archives: Dog
The Ecology of Gratitude
I’m clearing the decks. Here’s another essay nobody will publish. JimS. Ah, gratitude: a simple way to honor the place in which you find yourself, an emotion that encompasses the breadth of a life and lights the sometimes stony path … Continue reading
Muselessness
I’m supposed to be finishing a novel but I’m not. It’s a murky late summer day with an uncertain sky and a directionally challenged breeze smelling of salt and fir, marsh and cedar. My characters are all hovering around the … Continue reading
Amble du Jour
The dog catches my eyeand whines his question:“Now, Boss, now?”An idea: the smell of saltopens my mind.I laugh and nod.He stands with a clatterof claws on hardwood,tail high and boisterous, ashe prances around the couch.His eager head presses throughthe red … Continue reading
Haiku–The Nose Knows
In what we call stink a wealth of information finds your active brain. (photo: *Toulouse as a youngster–jrs; *model for Bucket in Ochoco Reach)
Mister Sniffy
In the grey light before sunrise you examine the yard and driveway: sniff sniff sniff sniff sniff Snort! sniff sniff sniff sniff sniff Snort! The new light catches the focus in your eyes, much as it might catch the focus … Continue reading
Haiku–Great Day Beginning
Dog butt precedes me, dappled sunlight up the path into this morning. (wetcanvas.com)
Haiku–Red Squirrel
Little red squirrel, dainty, but talking loud trash to the dog below. (squirrel: mirror.co.uk; dog: flickr.com)
Acceleration Antidote
Rain taps on my window, but I don’t seem to hear. I’m buried in myself again wondering about this year. It’s gone so fast, it’s almost past, and coming to an end. The wind outside is fitful; the wind chime … Continue reading
Haiku–Inside Day
Rain constantly swirls rolling wet, in from the beach; inside is just fine. The fire warms us: the dog sleeps before the stove. Home is a haven. (beach: pmansbach.com; woodstove: desertcanyonliving.blogspot.com)
Oregon Membrane
(Note: I first heard “snort fort” in Leo Kottke’s “Jack Gets Up” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghHhRklLQzE). I’d love to take credit for it, but can’t.–jrs) An oddly unfamiliar sound seeps to me in my snort fort of sheets and pillows. The dog yawns … Continue reading