Today We Rhinos acclaim the decision of Oberlin College to admit women as students. December 3, 1833 was the first class under the new guidelines: 44 students, 15 of them women. So momentous that We hardly know what to say. Today this is common; back then it was phenomenal.

Oberlin College intended these students to go West, to help with education on the Frontier- which described just about everything all the way to the Pacific Ocean.

Oberlin has an interesting history of progressive investments in education. Impressive.

Rhino pregnancies go for roughly 15 months, or in translation, a long time. When the Tot appears, it usually weighs 100 pounds or more. A lot to look forward to, and a long time to look.

When pregnant, the Mom-to-be experiences many shifts, one of which is a change in her dietary needs. What was great last week tastes dull or stinky this week. Some may laugh about food cravings, but those scoffers are seldom the ones who have been pregnant. Ask anybody.

They say today is December 1st. Rhinos have no reason to doubt it, but also little incentive to recall it. Our schedules are not calendar sensitive.

Rhinos work on Bio-clocks, dictating our needs and constructive reponses to them. Bio-clocks take into account weather, rainfall, dietary choices, and a long list of natural functions, internal, external, and eternal.

The illustration shows our typical path through a ‘month’, ultimately crossing the ‘line’ into the next ‘month’. Whatever a month may be.

When Rhinos see a movie, or hear a story, or talk about a famous somebody, We each wonder if that could be Us? Could I be so tough and terrific, or diplomatic, or befuddled?

The answer is seldom definitive, but just wondering about our individual potential is stimulating. We try these personae on for size.

Like Rofnag, the Reprobate here shown.

RhinoTots are a great crew, dedicated to Exploration… which often involves Destruction. Also, much runnning around and stamping. Then Yelping and Hollering. And Discovering.

RhinoMoms try to tune out the mayhem. We just wait for the Mania to pass over, then contemplate the leftovers. By that point the RTots have exhausted themselves and are lying about, in Napland.

The Rhino POV is that RTots are a Force of Natural Purpose, inscrutable but probably constructive if stared at long enough.

We Rhinos are never too clear if this is one of those times when We are calling the shots, or whether We have lost our minds.

We usually postpone assessment, hoping to focus better soon.

November 27, 1865 ‘Alice in Wonderland’ was first published in the USA. It had been distributed in Britain in June. It was and is an achievement in literature, wit, and insight- from Lewis Carroll.

Alice herself was a novelty, being both ‘proper’ and feisty. Hers is a society of social conventions, which she navigates without allowing herself to be abused or misguided. True to herself is Alice.

Carroll does not idealize children or their potential and awareness. He honors them as perceptive and fairminded. Some author!!

Gratitude is one of those burdens which can best be lightened by saying “Thank You”.

Your Inner Rhino wishes all our Readers a pleasurable holiday.

And We on the Staff acknowledge the daily boost We get from your attention. Yup, truly.

Gotta be ready to go tomorrow! First come, first served, which is why We’re migrating tonight. That way, We’ll be at the head of the line. (heh, heh)

For those of you who worry about this sort of thing, the sharpened fork is a must when dealing with cranberries. They are delicious but slippery, and need to be harpooned before they can scurry away. Sad but true.

Holidays often require somebodies to go somewheres and see someones for the festive occasion. Guest or Host, exciting.

Anticipation, that’s what it’s called. Rhinos try not to go overboard, but it’s easier said than done.