Box turtle? … only on birthday blog #4

OMG — I’m not usuall prone to using acronyms like that, but this newest twist in my never-ending fabulous birthday is so WICKED cool. (more…)

Intruder at the bird bath … birthday blog #1

I’m one of those wacky people who LOVE their birthdays. I don’t really care that much about getting older (just don’t ask me how much older I’m getting! ;)) but I do care about having fun on April 13th. Which, by the way, is also the birth date of my adopted felines, Einstein, Coco, and Boomerang. Since they are all rescue cats, I decided we should all celebrate on the same day … and what better day than mine?! (Not too egocentric of me, huh?) They will get canned tuna fish for their dinner in honor of another year.

Today has already started off FABULOUSLY. After morning coffee, I went (more…)

Magical music in the March nights

The past couple of weeks, at night, just around this time, 10:15 p.m., my home is quiet, I’ve hopefully turned the computer off, and I’m sitting, perhaps reading, or paying a bill or two, maybe just petting a cat. Winding down from the day and sometimes, and I’m not proud of this, thinking about tomorrow with a grim “Geez, how can I get everything that needs to be done, done?” kind of attitude.

But then there are these birds. (more…)

A few of my favorite things …

I’m still feeling the love from VDay (more…)

Hawkish behavior

This beautiful hawk has been visiting my yard for the past several days. I believe he had one of my mourning doves for lunch the other day (the abundance of little white feathers on the ground gave it away). I love having him here, but I do worry about my songbirds in the backyard. If anyone knows what kind of hawk he is, I’d appreciate having a solid identification. For now, I’m calling him Hamlet.

And I think I have a crush (hope it’s not a girl hawk!) 😉

Lessons learned on loving the Earth

This column appeared in print in April 2007.

I support the World Wildlife Fund, avoid animal-tested products. There’s no SUV in my driveway, and I’ve never once watered my lawn. So I was feeling a tad smug a couple of weeks ago as I settled into my seat at the Van Wezel and waited for Jane Goodall to talk.

But in less than twenty minutes, Goodall had wiped that self-righteous smugness right off my face. With elegant simplicity and plainly presented truths, Goodall had accomplished what no Earth Day celebration or PBS documentary had ever managed.

She made me feel ashamed. (more…)

A horse is a horse … unless it’s your sister!

Here’s a column I wrote a while back — if you’ve read Sideways in Sarasota, it’s old hat to you, but if not … at least it will give you some insight into just how animal-crazy my family is. (more…)

Seriously seductive …

Here’s an exerpt from an article I wrote for Sarasota Downtown & Beyond … about Maison Blanche … a restaurant on Longboat Key. You can read the full piece in the January issue of that magazine, on newstands now. If you go, make sure you take your A+ game. This is no place for sophomores in the arena of seduction. (more…)

Caught on film … er, on camera

I’m probably the world’s WORST photographer … I’ve been known to photograph people’s feet when I was aiming at their heads! Anyway, here’s a photo I took of myself that features my little precious cat, Einstein. I took it late late on New Year’s Eve (basically New Year’s Day) and at least she doesn’t look terrified — only half-asleep! I’m pretty sure Beethoven’s Ode to Joy was blaring in the background and she probably was wondering “what fresh hell is this?” to quote Virginia!

Einstein and MC in the wee hours of 2009!

But if you want to see REALLY fabulous photography, especially of GORGEOUS Paris, France and not-too-shabby Sarasota, Florida — visit http://www.chriscorizziphotography.com/. Be sure to be patient while the site opens (you have to click to enter) and then just look up in the upper left hand corner where it says “Gallery” and check out his work. It’s phenomenal. At least in my barely-can-photograph-a-cat-late-at-night humble opinion!

Animal attraction

I pretty much love anything that walks, swims, paddles, or flies. (Things that crawl? — they’re called creepy crawlies for a reason.)

So, I love animals, but what I don’t understand is why I’m so infinitely patient with animals, and so impatient – at least by comparison — with humans? (more…)