We certainly honor M. Descartes, but…Rhinos tell it another way, which our reason demands: I Eat, therefore I can think about other stuff.

They don’t often mention Rhino Intellect when you go to the zoo, do they? Hmmm?

Today Mt. Huaynaputina blew up, in 1600. It got itself so overwrought that there is nothing much left of it. This was the biggest volcanic eruption anyone recalls in South America ever. It’s hard to imagine anyone there would just forget it.

So exciting was this disaster that the fallout of volcanic ash may have been the cause of the Little Ice Age in Europe, which folks are still chewing over. It doesn’t take a lot to create havoc, one way and another. And this was a Lot of a Lot. The Wild may be Wild, but it can be thrown off balance.

Rhinos know these things.

Rhinos do not indulge ourselves in Grand Passions in the Romantic sense. We have Tender Feelings for other Rhinos, but We don’t expect long-lasting companionship. We have too many demands on our time and attention for Romance. So We are glad to meet and appreciate other Rhinos, and then We press on.

We think of our friends with warmth. And We know they think of Us too. We bask in our shared sense of Connection. We are mutually Affectionate and Affirming.

We share Positive Energies, near or far. What else do We have to offer one another?

Rhinos like stories any way they are told: read, danced, enacted, mimed, sung, etc. Stories come from specific cultures, and reflect the values of those peoples. No wonder Rhinos find many of them puzzling.

Rhinos are not confused with the Story that is Each One of Us. Every Rhino is the star in a story which only can be understood by the Storyteller. How and why are part of it, and where and when has a lot to lend to the story’s development. Importantly, Rhinos don’t think of stories as having endings. We ARE our stories.

Rhinos each go on in Spirit forever.

Today is Fat Tuesday, also called Paczki Day, when Polish people have Paczki, deep-fat fried dough with fillings and glazes. And good for you. They are best acquired by the dozen, so you don’t run out.

This word Paczki is pronounced various ways, but “poonch-kee” will probably do the trick at the bakery. If not, have a jelly donut, in the spirit of the celebration.

We Rhinos may be high-spirited and clever, but in some ways, those qualities can lead to Errors. We can get overheated and behave badly, or say things We wish We had not.

Then We wish We had been more kind or considerate.

Nobody likes a Bully, even when it’s Us.

If you would like to see what YIR had for other Valentine’s Days, or on your Birthday, or Wheneverrr, just go to <YourInnerRhino.com> and look in the ARCHIVE section. Every month since October 2014 is listed, ready for contemplation. Just scroll backward to the right date, once you get the month you want. There’s a lot of stuff in the Archive; today is our 2,349th post!

Below is one first seen in October 30, 2015.

‘Your Inner Rhino’ has you on our mind…

RhinoGals are not shy when it is time for Matrimonials; We advertise! And We do it by drenching the breeze with Special Rhino Pheromones. The scent drives RhinoGuys WILD with DESIRE. All the available RhinoGuys come on the double, have a brawl, and then matters ‘proceed’ for the winner.

True, many of the RhinoSuitors limp away from the fray, but that is how We have always done it. If Traditions fade at all, they take their good time about it.

Then fifteen months later, more or less, We have a new RhinoTot on duty. Nature does it again!!

Today is the first of the Year of the Ox, the focus of much revelry among the folk of China. In the fine traditions of YIR, any Happy Occasion attracts Us Rhinos. We make every effort to fit in and contribute where it seems safe for all concerned.

The part of the image in Chinese is a wish for Prosperity, which We can all use, Rhino or not.

Rhinos do not like firecrackers much. FYI.