Rhinos do not hold jobs or labor in the sense that many of our Readers do. We are not idle; We have to attend to our daily affairs without any voluntary holidays ever. Eating, drinking, sleeping, etc. For Us these require presence of mind and nimble responses and unquestioning dedication.
Don’t underestimate the lilies of the field. We are a busy bunch.
By the time Hamlet is over, almost everyone is dead. One by one, the whole cast is done in. Horatio, Hamlet’s pal, is left to assess the damages and wonder how he escaped Mr. Shakespeare’s lethal attentions. We suppose someone had to be left to explain how matters got out of hand.
Rhinos find this aspect of Tragedy interesting. Our worldwide numbers are thinning, so We pay special attention.
Fortunately for Us, Rhinos are stout-hearted critters; We march onward while the marching is good.
In the course of Time, most Rhinos have that first Realization: This is Adulthood. Thrilling, yet appalling. It is such a surprise that one doesn’t know what to make of it.
One gulp is seldom enough, whatever the circumstances.
Mary Shelley (b. 1797) wrote Frankenstein, about a doctor with Big Ideas. In the story there is Tension between the creator and the creation. Rhinos know all about it. What new recipe ever came out exactly as you wanted it? Or a relationship?
At YIR, We thought We would suggest that now is a good time to check your oil and kick your own tires, just to see that you are shipshape.
Why wait? Who wants to call the tow truck later?
Life is filled with Ups and Downs, Rhino life no more nor less than any other critter. Our general aim is to enjoy the Ups, and do what We can to short-circuit or endure the Downs.
Good and Better are common. Bad and Worse are inevitable. Two sides of the same coin.
One thought to hold onto is that Worst will come to Worst only once. By comparison, the rest looks pretty good.
In 1883, Krakatoa, a gigantic volcano, erupted. The blast was heard 3 thousand miles away, literally. The ash clouds affected Earth’s weather for years. The tsunamis were dreadful. The violence was equal to four thermonuclear bombs.
Krakatoa sits between Sumatra and Java, which have given their names to two extant Rhino Families. That any of those Rhinos survived this singular event seems incredible.
Over 50 million years, our Family have witnessed many catastrophes, yet here We are, discussing it. Rhinos are here by Nature’s grace.
Having money seems to depend on putting it someplace safe until later. Then you go get it and use it.
At YIR the whole question is hypothetical, as you probably knew. Rhinos do not own money or mattresses.
The Natural System is to have nothing. It has worked for Us for 50 million years.
As a general rule, Rhinos do not tramp around in the ashes of Yesterday’s disappointments. Like a Phoenix, We like to leap from the cinders and skip around, making the most of Today.
Rhinos don’t really get dressed up, but our intention to make the Best of things is so self-evident that the association comes to mind.
In rough translation, that would be “Yabba Dabba Doo!”
Mr. Meriwether Lewis was born today, in 1774. In 1804 he and his pal William Clark were commissioned to go find out what was out West, since nobody besides the local inhabitants knew.
Being Discovered is a peculiar experience. We Rhinos know about it. Somebody comes to your neighborhood, and it becomes theirs. How this could be so is a mystery. It makes no sense. But trust Us, it happens all the time.
Rhinos do not have names in the human sense; We know one another by scent. But if We were to have usual name names, We would pick Meriwether right away. We would all be named Meriwether. It would be too excellent to pass up.
Possibly that idea defeats the point of a name? If they have a point?
Whether or not We Rhinos feel ready for it, We know that Tomorrow is on its way.
Attitude will not change the fact. We have tried that, to very little effect. Agitation does not turn back the tide. Resignation doesn’t work either… too glum.
But before We know it, it’s Today instead, which is never as mysterious as Tomorrow. So that’s a mercy.
Your Inner Rhino 