"Do all creatures have discernible essences that fabulists and myth-makers (and later children’s authors and animators) agree upon?"
This spring-boarded me into layers upon layers of reading about animals in mythology.
It enriches life to observe wild animals. How wonderful that you can observe foxes on such a regular basis that you get to know them and their behaviors!
The closest we have to that here is a group of turtles that come to sun every day. They gather at exactly the same spot by the pond, and one by one they arrive and begin the important process of sunning and resting and staying still. My husband and I call it "Turtle alert!" and we spend quite a lot of time telling each other how many turtles are out there at any given time, and what they're up to!
Such a beautiful piece of writing, Tom. I love that paragraph where you describe the soothing benefits of watching animals. It reminded me of a day last week where I was in my own head about some work and then during a walk in the park with my wife, we got lost in the moment watching this giant snail. I definitely felt sufficiently soothed and at peace afterwards.
Anthropomorphism is indeed a funny thing. Dolphins likewise have a fun position in the animal world with which to play, like foxes of the sea (with a bit more brutality to them haha).
Try Hunter's Moon by Garry Kilworth - good book. Ripple by Tui Allen is also a fave.
Watching and noticing the ordinary extraordinary beauty of nature, and especially animals, is a sure fire way to reconnect with the Divine. Superbly written.
"Do all creatures have discernible essences that fabulists and myth-makers (and later children’s authors and animators) agree upon?"
This spring-boarded me into layers upon layers of reading about animals in mythology.
It enriches life to observe wild animals. How wonderful that you can observe foxes on such a regular basis that you get to know them and their behaviors!
The closest we have to that here is a group of turtles that come to sun every day. They gather at exactly the same spot by the pond, and one by one they arrive and begin the important process of sunning and resting and staying still. My husband and I call it "Turtle alert!" and we spend quite a lot of time telling each other how many turtles are out there at any given time, and what they're up to!
Such a beautiful piece of writing, Tom. I love that paragraph where you describe the soothing benefits of watching animals. It reminded me of a day last week where I was in my own head about some work and then during a walk in the park with my wife, we got lost in the moment watching this giant snail. I definitely felt sufficiently soothed and at peace afterwards.
Anthropomorphism is indeed a funny thing. Dolphins likewise have a fun position in the animal world with which to play, like foxes of the sea (with a bit more brutality to them haha).
Try Hunter's Moon by Garry Kilworth - good book. Ripple by Tui Allen is also a fave.
"Ironmongery". Goodness. Great job.
Watching and noticing the ordinary extraordinary beauty of nature, and especially animals, is a sure fire way to reconnect with the Divine. Superbly written.
Beautiful observations
You're lucky to see them gambol.