‘Roos

The result of a lawsuit brought by an animals rights group against athletic shoe maker Adidas, has been the confirmation by the California Supreme Court of a state law that bans the use of kangaroo hide for shoe manufacture. Kangaroo leather is apparently favored by soccer players for their shoes. Australians are puzzled by this. …

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A Miraculous Birth

Today’s Denver Post tells us of an unusual event that took place on a ranch near Colbran in western Colorado. Kate, a “molly” or female mule, has given birth to a healthy female foal. Mules are officially sterile hybrids from the mating of a female horse and a male donkey. But very rarely they do …

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Brave Dog

The Denver Post tells us that a five-pound Chihuahua in Masonville, Colorado fought off a rattlesnake to keep a one year-old toddler from being bitten. Zoey the Chihuahua sustained bites herself, but survived. What’s that old saying – it’s not the size of the dog in the fight but the size of the fight in …

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Some Soviet Planes

I mentioned in an earlier post that for some years I had worked in jobs in aerospace and aviation. In one of those positions I worked at a flight test facility at the Mojave Airport in southern California. My employer manufactured jet engines. Engines that needed to be tested for FAA certification were shipped out …

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From Steve

Dear all, Internets still screwed but: (1) I am halfway, the worst half, through on the book and if I have a peaceful week– unlikely– I could be all drafted in a week. (2) As of last night they will pay my way air & in- country to go to Almaty for the Primitive Dog …

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An American Vacation

At six a.m. Saturday, I was sipping coffee in a deck chair above a sea oat-covered Florida sand dune, staring into the Atlantic ocean. The sun, already shining on Helen and Darren, lit lingering rainclouds from below to the color of smashed plum. The waves rolled and a good breeze pushed back the tops of …

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Nanny State

Today’s Denver Post tells us that in the People’s Republic of Boulder it is illegal to attach a rope swing to a tree without the permission of the City Manager. When I last lived there 25 years ago we used to say Boulder was four square miles surrounded by reality.

House of Rain

Earlier this week I caught an interview on NPR with Colorado author Craig Childs on the subject of his recent book on the prehistoric Southwest, House of Rain. I read it back in February and really enjoyed it. I worked in the Southwest while in graduate school, but haven’t worked in that part of the …

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Another Prairie Ramble

Just a few pictures from a stroll the dogs and I took last Sunday in the Hidden Mesa Open Space. This ruined windmill and tank were along the way. I haven’t found any bats under overpasses here yet, but saw lots of swallow nests under this one. I was able to catch this butterfly grabbing …

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