The Staff is spending the weekend kicking back, and ordering our minds, which could use it…
better early than late, for once
So. On August 10, 1821, Missouri achieved Statehood. We salute Missouri therefore. A fine state, full of fine folk, who, We gather, prefer the product to the advertisement.
You may be less aware of the Hypsibema Missouriensis, Missouri’s state dinosaur. In actual fact, Rhinos were not around when this critter was in action, but it makes a good picture, and at ‘Your Inner Rhino’, that counts for a lot. One thing to notice is, it had a thousand teeth, which is a lot, for grinding up vegetation. Impressive dentition.
Rhinos average about 28 teeth.In case you wondered.
Lickity Split
Taste: you got it, or you don’t got it.
Rhinos got it.
Much of the time.
In Hindsight
Contrary to popular rumor, Rhinos can, and do, back up. It is not a graceful business, but it does sometimes get us where We need to go.
Nature did not design Us to easily peer past our own grandiose amplitude. Thus, when confronted with situations demanding reverse gear, We have minor misgivings. We prefer to turn and move out.
Kangaroos cannot go backward, We are told. For all Rhinos know, it’s true.
the Dinner Bell
As you are probably aware, in the Wild there are no stores. Rhinos do all our mealtime shopping right at the source, be it field or stream or where-have-you, day or night, We see what’s fresh and fruity and get down to business. Soup’s on!
We press on from season to season, following Nature’s signs and provisions. Occasionally there are issues with uncooperative weather, but mostly, We thrive.
We generally consume 100 pounds of food each day, so you can see why Rhinos do not hesitate to chew. Got to keep fit and robust.
The Big Bonk
Gravity is a major force, acting on Rhinos, planets, and apples. In 1687 Sir Isaac Newton produced a book detailing his mathematical&scientifical theories about Gravity, based on his experience in an orchard. It got him to thinking… and Voila!
Gravity, We can’t deny it, it’s here to stay. At least for Now.
The Full Count
Today ‘Your Inner Rhino’ celebrates Mr. Li Ching-Yuen, who according to Chinese documentation, lived to be 197 years old, or 256 years old (depending on the document, apparently. ) Li had an active and extensive life, primarily as an herbalist.
At age 130 Li met a hermit who gave him keys to a long life, all to do with meditation, breathing, diet, and exercise. Also, Li had 24 wives over his lifespan. He died in 1933.
Rhinos are unconcerned with these statistics, because We do not really know what they mean. Rhinos all live full lives. That’s the point, right?
Hilly Terrain and its Quirks
One phenomenon of moving around the countryside is that Uphill is a lot harder to achieve than Downhill.
In our Rhino efforts to conserve Energy, Downhill appeals to Us, right? Whether by wheel, toboggan, ski, or sled, Downhill is swift and terrible; what could be nicer?! (For the sake of discussion, We are assuming that a Rhino comes safely to a stop near the destination.)
Uphill poses the problem; how badly do We want to get there?
Adjustments
When a species is as old as the Rhino Family, you can believe We are flexible. We recall the values of the Olde or Traditional, and seek Revelation in the New and Different.
These adjustments are best achieved with a lot of Deep Breathing and Time. Time helps.
That’s today’s Rhino Tip. Take it or leave it.
What goes up…
Colorado is quite a state, established in 1876. All of the state is high, and higher, with much mountain and peak activity. Up you go, down you go. To the East, things flatten out a bit, but the Rocky Mountains are more plentiful in Colorado than anywhere else.
You may not be aware of this, but Rhinos are sensitive to mountainous terrain. If you want to go from A to B, in Colorado, you usually have to go to X, which is often a daunting climb, followed by an alarming descent. All beautiful scenery, but the A-to-X-to-B business is vastly more demanding than a straight shot would be. As the Crow flies, not so bad; as the Rhino hikes, Unforgettable.
What Colorado has a lot of is Nature, and much of it as Nature made it. Thank you, Coloradoans & Coloradans, one and all.
Your Inner Rhino 