Category Archives: Dog

The Ecology of Gratitude

Posted on March 9, 2020 by

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 →

Posted in Dog, family, Friendship, Gratitude, Home, Hope, Humans, humor, Kids, laughing, Oregon, pals, parents, prayer, Wisdom | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Muselessness

Posted on October 1, 2019 by

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 →

Posted in Absolutes, animals, Brian Doyle, Dog, Dogs, Gratitude, Novel, Slice of Life, Uncategorized, William Stafford, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 16 Comments

Amble du Jour

Posted on February 22, 2019 by

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 →

Posted in animals, Beach, Dog, Dogs, family, Friendship, Gratitude, Morning, Ocean, Oregon, pals, Poem, walking | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Haiku–The Nose Knows

Posted on September 15, 2017 by

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)

Posted in animals, Beach, Brain, Consciousness, Dog, Haiku, Humans, Poem, Uncategorized, Wisdom | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

Mister Sniffy

Posted on September 20, 2016 by

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 →

Posted in animals, Dog, family, Friendship, Poetry, Uncategorized, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Haiku–Great Day Beginning

Posted on October 10, 2015 by

Dog butt precedes me, dappled sunlight up the path into this morning. (wetcanvas.com)

Posted in Dog, Haiku, Poem, walking | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Haiku–Red Squirrel

Posted on March 2, 2015 by

Little red squirrel, dainty, but talking loud trash to the dog below.   (squirrel: mirror.co.uk; dog: flickr.com)

Posted in Dog, Haiku, Poem, Slice of Life | Tagged , , , | 6 Comments

Acceleration Antidote

Posted on December 25, 2014 by

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 →

Posted in Aging, Dog, Friendship, Poem, Work | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Haiku–Inside Day

Posted on November 28, 2014 by

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)

Posted in Beach, Dog, family, Haiku, Oregon, Poem | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Oregon Membrane

Posted on October 11, 2014 by

(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 →

Posted in Dog, Morning, Music, Oregon, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment