Category Archives: home
Tam Lin Starts Socializing
Good dog trainers emphasize the importance of early socialization for young puppies, with a focus on the first three months (13 weeks). Travvy’s early socialization was mostly hit-or-miss, which most likely contributed to the, uh, challenges we had later with … Continue reading
Tam Lin’s Journey Home
Back on May 4 I announced that I’d sent off my deposit for an Alaskan malamute puppy and concluded: “By the end of this month the pup will be in residence, and for sure you’ll be among the first to … Continue reading
Nesting
From where I sit to work, read, write postcards to voters, and (don’t tell anybody) play too many games of Spider solitaire, I have a clear view out my front door. My front door is mostly glass and opens onto … Continue reading
What Next?
Travvy’s death came sudden and unexpected. Yes, he was 11, but he was doing fine — until he wasn’t, and a day and a half later he was gone. I’d had it in my mind that since Rhodry, his predecessor, … Continue reading
In Memoriam
Masasyu’s Fellow Traveller “Travvy” February 27, 2008–March 15, 2019 My Travvy is gone. It all happened so fast. Last Wednesday morning he was his own self, trotting along on our walk, sometimes sniffing the bushes to “see” who or what … Continue reading
Reds
On Martha’s Vineyard, fall foliage is often underwhelming, probably because the landscape is dominated by oaks. Oaks seem to go from green to brown overnight: blink and you missed it. But some years the maples, beetlebungs, birches, and beeches do … Continue reading
How to Make Popcorn
Sometimes one just has to have popcorn for supper — or breakfast or lunch, but for me it’s always supper. Last night was the night, so here’s how I make popcorn. My method does not involve prepackaged popcorn or the … Continue reading
Planting 2018
I’ve blogged it a dozen times if I’ve blogged it once: I am not a gardener. (The record says I’ve blogged it more than once. For starters see “My Dinghy Garden” from 2011 and “Down in the Dinghy” from 2012.) … Continue reading
Laundry Doesn’t Lie
Seems everyone’s mumbling and grumbling and wondering “Where’s spring?” as if chilly weather in mid-May were unusual, alarming even. Every year in early May I’m convinced I missed the shadbush blooming, ghost flowers floating in woods where the oaks are … Continue reading
Ambushed
Most mornings Travvy and I head out in the general direction of Old County Road and the bike path beyond it. We have three basic routes, all circular and all taking about an hour’s brisk walk to complete. Sometimes, though, … Continue reading
