Here comes Ernie

As the year ends and 2015 is about to begin another animal has taken up residence at my Shack. It’s Ernie the pooch. He arrived with an orphans background. About six months ago my daughter Hannah was driving south of Miami through the Homestead area. She noticed three stray dogs wandering the street. Always concerned with dog welfare she stopped and called

Read more

Merry Christmas all lit up

Many times over the years I’d simply drive through neighborhoods during Christmas to see the lights. There was always at least one property where I heard myself say, “Wow, look at that one.” This year one of those homes – with figures, props and background music – is in Fayetteville, Texas, population two hundred fifty eight. At night the show

Read more

It’s Alive it’s Alive

That’s a little hyperbole. Dr. Frankenstein’s exultation was a much bigger deal, and certainly in a different realm. But real garden success is something to shout about too. After three years trying to grow in dreaded black-gumbo clay soil – with little to show for it – I finally have tangible progress. [Please see Archives  23 June article: DRAT THAT

Read more

Turkeys in the road

You always have to be ready when driving back country roads. Surprises can appear around any curve. That’s the reason I use them. And I’m no longer rushing to be on time for a really really important corporate meeting. With a camera most times in my truck I quickly pulled over to capture these guys. Actually, they could have captured me.

Read more

Caution: I stop for burros

My favorite animal. Burros. We had a couple back in the late Eighties in New Hampshire. They had been saved from the slaughterhouse door by Cleveland Amory, animal-rights activist. Smart and friendly many people think of them as dumb and stubborn. Well, in my experience, that is just another bogus urban-style legend. They are now widely used as the equivalent

Read more