Rhinos mostly agree that when it’s time to wake up, the knees lead the parade. Most of Us is still dozing happily (wherever that happens) and then We are suddenly aware that the knees are on the move.
It’s as though the knees kick off the covers, deciding it’s time for RAction! If it requires a subsequent moment or two to rally our wits, so be it.
Knees have their uses; it’s no wonder We have them.
Today’s image concerns itself with crossing the line, that fine line between Six and Seven, You and Me, Cleveland and Tallahassee. Is it useful for Us Rhinos to pause and notice what We are up to? Perhaps and Maybe Not.
We are also saluting Maxfield Parrish, born today in 1870. A brilliant draughtsman and visionary, not to mention an extraordinary colorist. Rhinos do share the planet with a lot of marvelous folks, no doubt about it.
It is our pleasure.
Rhinos are serene by nature, but sometimes a Wild Notion drops by, selling Us Discontent, a sense that by acquiring this astounding novelty, We will be easily a dozen times Better Off. Doubt it not!
P.T. Barnum (gone but not forgotten) was born today, but back in 1810. He did not invent Razzle Dazzle, but he did teach it a thing or two. He created needs Rhinos didn’t know We had, and fortunately, he had just the solution, right up his sleeve! Marvelous, in four directions at once, with a spare in his hip pocket!
Flim-Flam has an interesting feature: the con job is something We each pull on ourselves. Rhinos step right up and invest, sight unseen. Are We nuts?!?!?
Often enough, yes.
Occasionally, a Rhino will enter an unexpected phase of High Emotion. All intelligent critters avoid such an individual, since the point of each exchange seems to be Large Drama.
Random Emotion is pretty tiresome, at least most of the time. At least for Everybody Else.
Edwin Budding invented the lawnmower, and partnered up with John Ferrabee to manufacture them on this date, in England.
Before 1830, people mowed their grass with scythes, which are pretty demanding utensils. Why people didn’t just ask Us to help with the mowing is a riddle. We White Rhinos could have grazed those lawns in jig time. Munchin’ Luncheon.
Pip Pip!
The issue with Education is that We Rhinos can’t be sure We are attending to the right topics in the right order or depth or proportion. The range of topics is daunting. It is one lifelong tinkering with Awareness.
And up to the Very Last Minute, We can’t be certain We got it right, right?
It could make you nervous, were it not for the reassurance and stabilizing influence of your inner Rhino.
Catastrophes offer Learning Opportunities, once We heal sufficiently to grasp them.
Comforting thought, right?
James Barrie (whose birthday this is) wrote Peter Pan, or the Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up quite a while ago. The title says it all. In the book Peter crows, “I’m youth, I’m joy!” Quite a declaration.
Rhinos enjoy our Youth as much as any critter. We like to keep an upbeat attitude as We age. But in the Wild, carefree-dom is unknown. If it is a privilege, it is one Rhinos do without.
Joy, on the other hand, is always available. Everybody knows that.
No matter how extraordinary Rhinos are, sometimes We just don’t win.
Hence the expression “Read ’em and weep”.
The Rhino problem is: it is easy enough to get into a Frenzy, but it is hard to gracefully get oneself out of one.
Your Inner Rhino 