Rhinos have been around, in one form or another, for 50 million years. We get comfortable, then Nature shakes up the recipe; We split into various new looks, scents, and capabilities. And colors.
It’s exciting being Us, and has been for longer than even We can recall.
Rhinos are grateful for our opportunities. We strive to deserve them.
Olde Time Rhinos used to stroll over to Doggerland whenever We liked, for lots of thousands of years. Why not? Back then much of the water became ice, consequently lowering the sea level. Off and on for 100 thousand years.
And then things changed, the ice began to melt, and everyone had to decide where to go, one way or another. Pretty impressive alterations in the real estate.
Rhinos are used to these Natural Developments. They keep Us on our toes.
Today, back in 1889, Washington (the State) was admitted to the United States. Coming up with a name seems to have been tricky (see November 10), but they settled on Washington, in honor of George Washington. Thus, Washington is the only state named for a president.
Washington’s highest peak is Mt. Rainier. Not only is it impressive, but it is dangerous, being an active volcano. Keep your running shoes handy.
This is old Rhino stomping grounds, and if you go up to Blue Lake, near Coulee City, you can risk life and limb by visiting a cave which formed around the body of a Rhino 15 million years ago. It is not conveniently located. Rhinos left the Americas about 10 million years ago, after a long and highly successful residence.
FYI: On YouTube, you can listen to a song written in honor of the cave. Look up ‘Blue Lake Rhino‘, performed by the Ratfish Wranglers. It’s bound to perk up your Monday.
The Greater Rhino Family has a lot to feel good about. 50 million years of genealogy allows for a lot of both 1) Change, and 2) Relative Calm, in between times (usually thousands or millions of years.)
Rhinos are mostly ready for a challenge, but those who choose to ignore Nature’s shifts often end up extinct. When Change happens, it takes no prisoners. Whole branches of our family tree are defunct; fondly recalled, but nonetheless gone.
Here We see a Wooly Rhino enjoying an Ice Age, and why not? A lot of the challenge is solved by Rhino Mindset. Yup.
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.
M. Jules Oppert (b.1825) was a famous linguist and translator , dealing with Mesopotamian cultures. He is known for his work deciphering Sumerian Cuneiform clay tablets, some of the earliest known writing. These messages were achieved with a stylus in damp clay, then hardened.
In case your Cuneiform has gotten rusty, the sample shown says, roughly, “Rhinos are mighty fine critters”.
Thank you for your good work, M. Oppert.
Today’s Halloween solution is not to a State of Mind, but to a State itself. The pointer aims at Badlands National Park. Rhinos used to live there. There is still time to visit, if you like.
This area is just part of our old Rhino Stomping Grounds. The RFamily was a New World mega-influence Back When (which covers roughly 35 million years of development, they say. Rhinos certainly weren’t counting.)
You doubtless recall: Rhinos did much familial branching in North America. Then, 5 or 10 million years ago or so, the weather changed, and We folded our tents. We respond to the Call of the Wild. We are Nature’s playthings. And were then, too.
Rhino Finery: not only enchanting but educational. Amazing!
The happy Sumatran Rhino shows Us a “today” place in the March of Time. Precarious perhaps, but present. Tight squeezes are no novelty for the Rhino Family. “Close” is often good enough; it’s had to be.
The X up top marks Nature’s creation of RhinoHeart, back when. The dotted line shows how We, as a Family, slipped through the cracks from one age to another. Many Rhino gangs did not successfully duck and dodge, but a few have made it, which is all it takes. Rhinos are slippery. And lucky, knock wood.
Compared to other lines and critters, We are a model of Natural Success. Many more groups are gone than have present-day representatives.
Time and History are comical; Rhinos may survive to have the Last Laugh. We’ll see.
Today We are the representatives of an ancient and noble family. Millions of Rhinos have gone before Us, millions more than are celebrating Rhinotude today. We are glad and grateful. Pretty impressive family, all told.
Rhinoheart, burning bright.
Nature is always on the go, and often, so are the parts of the world. You hear a rumble, and wherever you were has decided to take off on an adventure. Sometimes the trip is short, sometimes lengthy. No telling.
As illustrated, sometimes one part of the RFamily is split up, just like the landscape. Everybody just has to make the best of things. Whereas the whole family had a developed “look” when the rift occurred, it doesn’t mean that things will stay that way. In less than no time, both sections of the family may morph. Communities have a way of transforming that can take our breath away. Adaptation: your Inner Rhino is flexible, but not predictable. Same thing with your Outer Rhino!
Pretty neat, when you think about it.
By the way, bear in mind that in the picture, there is no telling which part of the landscape has set sail. One of those point-of-view puzzlers.
Your Inner Rhino 