Seizing this rare Southern February snowfall to sled on the golf course near our house at dusk.
Hi all,
How are you doing?
A quick little post this morning. I’m working hard this week at trying to begin to figure out what “self-care” even means under the current regime of chaos. How to remain calm and clear-headed and present for my kids and family and friends and community while also not ignoring what’s happening, and being able to take actions when/as possible (calling my reps daily is one fairly easy one for me right now)… Anyway I won’t go into it in this post—this is supposed to be about solace. I think we need to take it—solace, joy, comfort, hope—wherever we can find it these days!! For now, I’m trying to focus on what I can control, tune out too much external hysteria/hype, and do all the basic things they recommend for mental health like get enough sleep, time outdoors everyday, laughter, and for me this includes immersing myself as I’m able in literature and art in some way… I hope you are trying to do the same.
In this spirit, I’m sharing just a few random things that bring me joy or diversion in some way. I like receiving such tips from other folks as well—feel free to share please! In comments?
Anyway, please enjoy…
We Rate Dogs
This site, “Your Only Source For Professional Dog Ratings,” reliably brings me joy. (Spoiler: every dog is rated at least 12/10). The short blurbs posted along with the ratings are often hilarious, at times heart-wrenching. It’s found on all the socials platforms, I’m trying to stay off of those for various reasons, but here is a favorite post—a bit of a weird one, but it always makes me laugh: dogs that have been stung by bees (they’re all fine now btw).
Here’s a pic of my dog, Milo Rufus, a pandemic pup who is almost five now, can’t believe it. 12/10, obvs
Poetry
I enjoy getting a new poem (or new-to-me poem! Or newly rediscovered poem!) delivered to my inbox each morning via Poetry Daily.
I’m also trying to read more books of poetry these days,— several by Philip Levine from the library at the moment, as well as new ones I bought by friends Corrie Williamson and Jen Jabaily-Blackburn.
Play
My daughter made this fort out of two giant boxes on a not-so-recent snow day, and later sh and a friend spent hours modifying it by adding a battery-powered ceiling light, a porthole window with telescope, an internal shelf and apparatus with which to pull the doors closed from the inside—along with necessary provisions like blankets and pillows and stuffed animals and lots of books, paper, colored pencils and toy figurines. Much duct tape was involved and it’s basically my favorite thing and we are never getting rid of it.
Teddy Bear the Talking Porcupine
My current obsession with porcupines began during a beautiful, eventful two-week residency at MacDowell Arts in November, where I spotted my first wild porcupine, after initially observing it via footage that a lovely artist-in-residence friend took from the woods nearby (did you know that they climb trees?! And are rather large!).
I’ve since discovered videos of Teddy Bear the porcupine, who pretty much eats pumpkins or corn and makes funny noises, and believe me that’s MORE than enough:
Thought-provoking “long” reads
..on Reframing the Wild in Noema, and on trying to teach endangered birds to migrate in the New Yorker: “The commitment, ingenuity, and sacrifice required to try to save just this one species demonstrate how dire the situation has become, and yet the undertaking also reflects a stubborn hope that’s every bit as human as the tendency to destroy. Fervor in the face of futility: what other choice do we have?”
AMEN.
Lastly: some upcoming posts, here at Refuge with Wolves:
Fair chase and ethical hunting
Genetic discoveries might change how we define species
Threats to the ESA are nothing new—but still scary
The “problem of wilderness” and different ideas of freedom
Women Who Run With Wolves
Weapons of the Weak, Conservation Conflict, and Compromise
and more! Have a good weekend…