Author Archives: AdaptiveCurmudgeon

Wise words from Jonah Goldberg (read it all): “Here is wisdom: Have a kid? Get a dog. Want a kid? Get a dog. Don’t want a dog? Get a cat, which is like training wheels for dog ownership. Have a … Continue reading →

I saw this on a rural coffee shop’s bulletin board. What a deal! Who wouldn’t want land that is “quite” and has life which happens to be wild? Grammar Nazi complaints notwithstanding I’m willing to be impressed by whimsy. If … Continue reading →

Just about every blog has periodic “I’ve been meaning to write” posts. This is mine. I was not merely distracted, I was more of less “off grid”. For three weeks I (mostly) ditched wifi and news. It’s not like I … Continue reading →

The dog calmed down immediately. I retrieved the cat. “Come! Here!” “Yowwwlwlll I’m hungry.” It was no use trying to coax the cat. I picked up stroke kitty, carried it over, and set it on the ground. “I’m hungry. I … Continue reading →

Winter hasn’t been kind to our outdoor cats. We’re down to one. That particular cat has been a total shithead all it’s life and nobody likes it; which explains its karma now. It’s a kitten that showed up one day … Continue reading →

The problem with birdfeeders is that they attract critters other than chickadees. Generally I don’t care. Birdfeed won’t break the bank. If sparrows or blackbirds or whatever take some food I can live with it. Unfortunately the dog can’t quite … Continue reading →

On a dreary tax day we all need Ray Stevens:

I like chickadees. They’ve got balls. They’re the toughest little buggers out there. Few creatures are as plucky and cheerful as the half ounce of concentrated indomitable moxie that is a chickadee. Deep wilderness or urban backyard? It doesn’t matter … Continue reading →

I’ve reduced my political writing for a while. This isn’t because we’ve had a collective outbreak of competence and sanity. (Nor have I suddenly become wise and risen “above it all”.) Rather, it’s timing. Now is a time when politics … Continue reading →