Columbus, Ohio - APB - Prairie Dogs on the Loose

Columbus, OH - APB - Prairie Dogs on the Loose

I’m envisioning a middle of the night escape.  After hours of planning, sketching and endless discussion the prairie dogs executed their escape.  Twenty of them had recently been transported to Columbus from another zoo and had been quarantined for a period of time before being moved to temporary quarters to await the onset of spring.  The zoo planned to move them to the regular prairie dog exhibit at that time. 

I don’t think the zoo knew who they were dealing with.  Eleven of these wily creatures made their break and only four have been found.  We are talking about some of the best burrowers in the world who know how to dig a tunnel in a hurry.  They also have a very sophisticated ‘language’. 

The following excerpt from Wikipedia highlights their high intelligence:

“In 2010, Professor Con Slobodchikoff, a biologist from Northern Arizona University has discovered that the prairie dogs can chat with advanced 'language', their distinct squeaky bark, which contains a great deal of information that can describe colors, size, directions of travel, speed and even different types of predators.”

They are also quite sociable, often dropping by each other’s burrows to visit.  They greet each other with a sort of kiss (see adorable YouTube video).  

Citizens in the neighboring community of Powell (Columbus suburb), have been alerted to be on the lookout for the fugitives.  They have been told to call the zoo rather than attempt to catch the escapees.  Although not dangerous, the zoo does not want them harmed in any way. I'm thinking the remaining seven on the lam may already have a ticket to warmer climes. Why stick around snowy Ohio when they can board a bus for Vegas?  Now that's somewhere they'll never be found. 

There are big things going on here in Columbus.  We have criminals on the loose, drug problems in the inner city, homelessness and now this.  I’m just hoping our new governor can handle this without it devolving into Prairiegate.  Be on the lookout.  A prairie dog might be looking back at you.  If you find one, send him C.O.D to The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Columbus, Ohio.  I think they could use some help on this one.   

http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2011/01/07/Columbus_Zoo_searching_for_missing_prairie_dogs.html?sid=101

Stilted Thoughts - Poem

Me (on left) and my sister with our Uncle Tom - 1960

Stilted Thoughts

Stilts make you tall,

Make you feel

Like some giant monster

Stomping across the

Trembling surface

Beneath you,

Pounding steps,

Stilted steps,

Lift left,

Lift right,

Repeat, repeat,

Don’t lose the beat,

You’ll end up back

On your own two feet,

Hot summers,

Bored days,

We went ‘round the block

On stilts,

We fell,

We started over,

It passed a lot of time,

There’s a lot of falling

And getting back up in life,

Stilted starts,

stumbling falls,

Lift left,

Lift right,

Keep moving,

That’s the key,

I learned it long ago

On those hot summer days,

A faded photograph

Brought it back into focus today.

My Uncle Tom (in photo) made the stilts for us.  One set was a little shorter for the younger kids.  They provided endless hours of entertainment.  No need for a gym membership when you had a pair of those in the garage.

Baby, It's Cold Outside!

Road Warrior - Photo take 1/2/11

Baby, It’s Cold Outside!

I made a vow this winter that I would not be deterred from riding my bicycle merely because it’s cold outside.  I generally hunker down each winter, maybe go to some yoga classes, but generally stay out of the cold as much as possible.  I don’t like to be cold.  My fingertips start feeling frostbitten just thinking about cold weather.  Thoughts of curling up in an afghan with a good book and a cup of hot chocolate bring delight. 
 

But you see there’s this thing called SAD (seasonal affective disorder) that affects about 5% to 20% of the population and I’m pretty sure I have it to some degree.  Staying out of the sunlight is not a good formula for getting through the winter with a healthy mental outlook.  So what to do, what to do?

I really, really love to bicycle.  In the summer, I ride miles on the bicycle trail or through the neighborhood and find release, enjoyment, exhilaration and fitness.  But then it gets cold, I put the bicycle away, start eating more carbs and sweets and slowly feel the lethargy creeping into my bones - a formula for disaster. 

But not this year.  I bought myself enough gear to handle the cold.  Granted, I feel a bit like Randy in A Christmas Story, when his mom bundles him up for the snowy weather, but that’s okay, I’ll do whatever is necessary.  

I have ridden at least five days a week since the weather turned cold.  We had a spate of snow that slowed me down for a few days, but once the streets were plowed and the major ice patches melted, I was off again.  My family has started tossing around labels like: hard core, tough and snow queen.  I have to admit I like the edginess of those monikers and have added my own.  I feel like a warrior out battling the elements.  Yes, a warrior. There is an exhilaration and tough-mindedness that occurs after a 12 mile ride in freezing weather that can’t be achieved in any other way.  I’ll take whatever label you want to throw at me.

I rode today with a westerly wind smacking me in the face, and the temperature hovering around 30°.  It was seriously cold and I began muttering to myself, ‘you’re a masochist,’ and ‘you’re crazy you know?’  I smiled as I kept pedaling furiously and thought it just might be true, but hey, I’m out here doing this and there ain’t no stopping me. 

I like the person who can take on the elements, face the wind, endure cold fingers and toes and fearlessly do it again day after day.  It says something about who I am and I like what it says.  I have a feeling I’m going to make it through this winter just fine.  SAD can go find somebody else to drag down.  I’m not available. 

 

A Year of Embracing Epiphanies

Blogger at work - Photo taken 1/1/11 by Mike Bourland

A Year of Embracing Epiphanies

My new year’s resolution last year was to start a blog.  I had no idea what I would write about or how to begin the process.  A friend told me about Blogger and another friend told me how to buy a domain name.  I tried several names, all of them taken, until I hit upon Embracing Epiphanies.  Perfect, I thought, the name pretty much summarized what I was attempting to do; simply notice the small moments of life and remark upon them.  Shortly after starting my blog, another friend told me how to link to Open Salon and a wonderful world of writers opened up to me.

The anniversary of my blog is January 6^th, but I feel like today is the day to remark upon its impact on my life.  After all, it is the day for resolutions, new beginnings and looking back at the year that has passed.  Since January 6, 2010, I have posted 164 entries to my blog.  Astonishing, I remark to myself, how in the world did I have that much to say?  Well, life happens, stuff happens and writing about it can also happen.  Capturing the odd floating thought and creating a short essay or poem has proven to be quite cathartic, rewarding and illuminating.  The illumination has been important to me and occasionally to some of my readers.  I don’t purport to be changing the world here, but I do believe in the power of words and the power of communication.  Words carry emotional energy.  If we write with honesty and purpose then we might just hit a universal chord – one that can change a mind, brighten a day, provide solace to a lonely soul or even make someone laugh. 

I would have to say that my blog has also been a gift to myself.  I feel empowered by what I have done, by what I have said and by amassing a body of work that feels meaningful.  I like knowing I can click on a link and immediately read something I have written – I also like knowing I can click on a link and do some quick editing.  It’s important to me to use words that make sense and to write with clarity.

So, for those who read my blog, I thank you for the gift of your eyes and mind, the gift of your comments and the journey we are taking together along the path of life.  I look forward to embracing the stories that come my way this year and to sharing them with you.  May 2011 bring you many epiphanies and small moments of quiet grace.  

Poem: Landing on your Feet

Landing on your Feet

A lot can happen in a year.

Some ups, some down,

Some ins, some outs,

Some turns, some twists,

Some gloom, some doubt,

Landing on your feet

Can be tricky,

A curve in the road,

A trip on a stick,

A crack in the walk,

A sudden quick kick,

Landing on your feet

Can be tricky,

A day when you’re sad,

A day when you’re glad,

A day when you feel like

The world has gone mad,

Landing on your feet

Can be tricky,

When storm clouds appear

And dampen your day,

Just give me a call,

We’ll go out and play,

Come take my hand,

We’ll do this together,

You mustn’t despair,

We’ll get through this weather,

Our feet on the ground

Firmly in place,

Steady and calm,

We’ll finish this race,

Together.

How Do You Cerebrate?

I wrote this essay for Open Salon which is another site where my blog gets posted.  It's a forum where writers interact and comment on each others' work.  If you would like to read some of the responses you can go directly to the site:  

http://open.salon.com/blog/embracingepiphanies/2010/12/28/how_do_you_cerebrate_-_open_call

 How Do You Cerebrate? – Open Call

 On page eight of the introduction to the Autobiography of Mark Twain, Harriet Elinor Smith (one of the editors) speaks of:

 “…..the times Samuel Clemens encountered stretches during which he was unable to proceed, and composition came to a complete halt.  Since at least 1871 he had found it necessary, when his “tank had run dry” in this way, to “pigeonhole” his manuscripts.  And he learned to resume work on them only after the “tank” had been refilled by “unconscious and profitable cerebration.”…..”

 This was the first time I had ever read or heard the word cerebration and thought it might be a misspelling, but after pulling my dictionary off the shelf, I discovered it is indeed a word. 

 Cerebrate:  to use the mind; think or think about

 It’s a decidedly cool word that I intend to use in conversation as soon as possible. 

 I think any writer can relate to Clemens need to pigeonhole his manuscripts when his tank had run dry.  I sometimes sit in front of the computer and wait for inspiration to strike.  Sometimes it does, more often it doesn’t.  Rather than write something of little consequence or thought, I should just remove myself to another location and do some cerebrating. 

 I would love to know the methods Clemens used to replenish his tank.  He mentioned unconscious and profitable cerebration which would lead me to believe he did a bit of daydreaming, found enjoyable distractions, listened to music, smoked a cigar, sipped a bit of whiskey or played with his children.  It took him between three and seven years to complete each of his major books, but once they were finished they were masterpieces.  His cerebration proved to be fruitful and necessary.

 So, I am putting out the call to ask all you fine writers on OS how you cerebrate when your tank has run dry.  Do you drink, sleep, eat, jog, daydream, draw, read, walk the dog, pet the cat, call a friend, go to your therapist, go to a movie, cry, sigh or possibly curse?   You can write a poem or an essay – whatever gets the brain moving.  So here’s the Open Call – How do you Cerebrate?

Against All Odds - Poem

Rita Bourland © 2009

 Against All Odds

The wind is blowing outside

With a fierce, biting intensity,

I hear the insistent

Sound swirling past the windows,

Shaking the shutters,

Rattling the gate,

Sending birds into hidden

Branches of densely

Packed bushes and trees

Which stand bravely upright

Against its

Gusting, thrashing, unforgiving fury,

Winter casts a wide shadow

Over human dwellers

Living on a planet spinning

In a universe full of mystery

That even scientists ponder with awe,

On this wintry night

I ponder many things with awe,

The fact that love remains

Against all odds in a world

Where wind can blow so strong,

The fact that hope remains

In a world where dreams

Can freeze during nights so cold,

The fact that a warm heart

Can keep us from succumbing to

The deepest frost,

We must keep that warmth alive

By lighting a fire

Within the depths of our soul,

An impenetrable fire

Fiercely protecting the essence

Of who we are and who we wish to be,

The wind is blowing outside

But I am calm and sure.

Christmas Card 2010

This was our Christmas card this year.  I wanted to share it with all of you.  I wrote the poem and did the illustration based on a stained glass angel I have.  My oldest son used a bit of Photoshop magic to do the coloring and shading.  I wish you a very Merry Christmas.

Silence of snowfall,

Stars shining bright,

Quiet of angels

Watching at night,

Trees all aglow,

A glistening sight,

Candles that flicker

With soft shadowed light,

Wishes are granted,

Wrongs are made right,

Hardship is banished,

At least for one night,

Your heart feels the touch

Of angels drawn near,

Their message is plain,

Their sentiments clear,

They wish you Merry Christmas,

They wish you good cheer,

They wish you God’s blessings

All through the year. 

Poem - You'll See How Good I Can Be - A Child's View of Christmas

My husband Mike - 1955 - Evansville, IN

 You’ll See How Good I Can Be

 

Will we have the biggest tree ever?

Bigger than me, bigger than you?

We’ll see, Mikey. 

Will Santa bring lots of toys?

Will he mom, will he?

We’ll see.

Oh, I hope I get a sled,

And a G.I.Joe,

And a set of Lincoln logs.

Mom, do you think I will?

We’ll see,

You must be good,

Santa’s watching all the time.

Oh, I’ll be good,

I’ll be so very, very good,

You’ll see how good I can be.

You’re a good boy, Mikey

Santa knows how hard you try.

I’ll help with the chores,

I’ll walk Spot every day,

I’ll even make my bed,

Do you think Santa will know?

I’m sure he will.

Christmas is great, mom.

Isn’t it great?

I can’t wait,

Just four more nights

And then

Santa!!

It’s bedtime, Mikey.

Time for your bath

Then I’ll read you a story.

Will you read me

A Christmas Carol?

I promise it won’t scare me this time.

Are you sure?

I’m sure.

Mom, I love you.

I love Christmas, too.

But I love you more.

Poem - Delicious Christmas

DELICIOUS CHRISTMAS

The taste of Christmas,

Tantalizing,

Delicious,

Scrumptious,

Buttery, sugary,

Treats that melt

In the mouth,

Leaving

Hazy thoughts,

Sugary highs,

Languorous dreams,

Rivers of chocolate,

Glistening crystals

Of colored sugar

Coating cookies

Crisply baked and shaped

Into stars,

Angels, snowmen,

Santa,

Christmas so sweet

So rare,

A treat

At this time of year,

Our senses so keen,

Let them swirl,

And twirl,

Making memories

So real that tears

Flow free

At Christmas.