Jolene Stars in a Walt Disney Movie

Last Thursday morning, we left for Texas as four bald eagles were circling high above the farm. I’ve never seen so many here. It’s April, and the pond is drying up. We have daily red flag warnings and fires. But also eagles. By the time we crossed into New Mexico, the vultures were circling, so … Read more

Jolene Gets a Job. Not the One You Think.

We were in a different pen than usual, and it was horribly windy. That’s the excuse you might make if you were on a horse and had an uneasy feeling. We are facing four pregnant ewes, and a tornado would be no distraction. Jolene was working. Sometimes there are four boy dogs running the fence … Read more

Jolene Says, Doesn’t My Title Entitle Me to Something?

Jolene expects that we will have an adventure every single day. Mister hopes we don’t. He likes to keep it between the lines. As for me, I want to build a life that I want to live in. That goal has never changed, but age and my cantankerous nature redefine it every few years. I … Read more

Jolene and the Healing Quality of Dog Spit

I can’t remember having leaves so early on our high desert prairie. Shade is scarce since losing our trees. There’s just enough room under the lilac bush for the dogs. The lack of lawn doesn’t change. Call it fire mitigation because I’m not watering sod meant to be living in Kentucky. It’s windy, of course, … Read more

Jolene Just Knows the One Word

I’m starting to look like Garrison Keillor. You know, if I dyed my hair brown. I’m not bragging, just stating the facts. Mister nods. I don’t know why we compare unknowns to famous people. It’s crazy. Once, someone compared me to Ann Lamott. Wow. We’re both pretty spiritual, but I let animals say the God … Read more

Mister and Jolene. Taking Drugs and Counting Sheep.

It’s a sight to see. Usually, a huge bearded man and a tiny Chihuahua. Sometimes a blue-haired lady and a miniature poodle with pastel bows on her ears. They’re both holding their dog like a baby cradled in their arms. I’m not gonna repeat the inhospitable thoughts I have had about that sort of person … Read more

The Politics of Horses, Dogs, and Humans

This week I went to dinner at a sports bar. I’m not the type, but there are no fine dining choices unless we drive into town. Two of the big screens had rodeo on them. There was a rope horse who got some rough handling when he refused to back into the box. The horse … Read more

Hungover, Jolene Meets The Weather of Her People

The leftovers are gone, the pie plates back in the cupboard, and Parental Peas, Parker and Penny, have headed back to Texas. If you ask Jolene, it’s tragic news. She would’ve been fine if they had stayed forever. They spoke her language. They played her games. We took a hike while the Peas were here. … Read more

Jolene’s Bathroom Habits

It was a bathroom sort of week here, in that way that the entire universe can fit in a small space sometimes. And Jolene ran the gamut of emotions about it. She is almost nine months old and a very big girl with very big feelings.  It used to be that a small plush toy … Read more

Jolene’s Teen Angst and Roller Derby Bravado

Saints preserve us. This weekend, Jolene is having her friend, Tachi, sleep over. I’ll believe the sleep part when I get some. They have been running out the dog door, letting it slam-slam behind them. Then barreling back through in a gray cloud of leaves and dirt with another double slam. Like a pair of … Read more