Rhinos occasionally decide to experience distant locations. We mentally pack up, and head out. Perfectly Natural.
But what is also Natural are the parameters, the limits Nature sets for wandering. We press forward, and lo, there is a mountain range (or something else) in the way. We are stumped. At least for the moment.
Then We evaluate how badly We want to go. If it’s dynamic enough, We figure something out, even if it’s Impossible.
Sr. Antonio Stradivari was born in 1644 in Cremona, Italy. He became a Genius Craftsman creating stringed instruments, primarily violins. Those instruments still command flabberghasting prices, all over the world.
The question is, did Sr. Stradivari become a brilliant craftsman, or was he born a genius craftsman? We Rhinos tend to think it was the latter; his Inner Rhino was all set to go right from the top.
If there are other opinions, We delicately point out that YIR is (almost) always right.
Herr Heinrich Heine, b. 1797, is best known for his lyric poems, some of which were turned into German art songs by Schumann and Schubert. As he grew older, his wit got sharper and more political. Eventually he moved to Paris for the last 25 years of his life.
Rhinos like crisp humor and analysis, so Heine was a big hit with Us. Of a newly installed politico, he said “Ordinarily he was insane, but he had lucid moments when he was merely stupid.”
How could you not admire a guy like that?! (the poet, not the politico.)
Mr. J.R. Poinsett was a US minister to Mexico in 1823. Not only was he a diplomat, but also an amateur Botanist. He sent plants home. In Mexico, this was called the Christmas Eve plant (Flor de Nochebuena).
By 1836, the plant We know as the Poinsettia was popularized in the United States.
The plants are attractive, but Rhinos don’t eat them. It’s not a problem most of the time; they don’t grow where We live.
Ms. Emily Dickinson was born in 1830, in Amherst, Massachusetts. She lived out her life there, writing over 2 thousand poems, only twenty of which were published during her lifetime. She was a recluse, by choice.
Rhinos like the ability to mind our own business, tend to our own thoughts, and express ourselves as We see fit. It is a luxury to accept our own best Guidance.
Happy Birthday, Ms. Dickinson. From Us to You.
Ms. Willa Cather, author, was born today. She was an original voice in American literature, celebrating the strength of purpose of the settlers of the prairies.
These women and men she commemorated were people providing for themselves and their families through honest effort. In difficult circumstances.
Ms. Cather wrote “My Antonia”, “Song of the Lark”, “Death Comes for the Archbishop”, and “O Pioneers!”, among others. She celebrated grit. The Rhino idea of a Big Virtue.
Speaking of Climate, Rhinos used to deal with Cool Circumstances. Nature, always thoughtful, helped Us out with fuzzy outfitting, which was Appreciated. And still is.
Just how We managed to find food has gotten lost in the shuffle. Or the system has been shelved for Future Reference, should things get chilly again. Which they will in time. Naturally.
No. We did not have toboggans. They did not figure into our assignment at the time.
December 2, 1859 was Georges Seurat’s birthday, known for his works in post-Impressionist pointillism.
Pretty neat. Rhinos like it now, and liked it then.
Today is National Pie Day, as you may have suspected. Rhinos like pie.
The lurking question is: Which Nation?
Rhinos are not the group to consult on that question. Our geo-political understanding is murky.
Mr. Lewis Carroll published ‘Alice in Wonderland’ on November 26, 1865. The illustrations were done by Mr. John Tenniel, and mighty fine they are.
Rhinos have never been clear on how this young woman’s biography was captured with such brilliance, but We have always supposed Mr. Carroll did extensive interviews with this young person.
Today also happens to be National Cake Day. One thing Alice learned is that random eating can make you change size. Rhinos can attest that cake will certainly make you bigger if you let it.
Your Inner Rhino 