Today, in 1883, Mr. Erich Heckel was born in Germany. He helped to found a group called ‘The Bridge’ with three friends, all interested in Expressionism. Mr. Heckel himself had a long career including painting, woodcuts, lithographs and etchings. Much of his work was politically unacceptable, and was banned and destroyed.
There is something pleasingly cutting edge about his own work, a dark mysterious quality that Rhinos gravitate to. We like primitive stuff.
Today We salute Ms. Emily Bronte, famous for her 1847 novel, “Wuthering Heights”. It is a dark and twisted story of obsession and abuse on the barren moors of Yorkshire, England.
Rhinos find this story incomprehensible, but that is how We often respond to famous literature. Also, less-famous literature.
For those of you who have let their Old Norse get rusty, “Wuthering” refers to howling winds, not the weather report.
Lilacs are a somewhat overwhelming plant; the scent can hardly be categorized, it is so mesmerizing. Also, they are lovely. Today We salute the Lilac.
Of optional interest, Lilacs are almost edible, but a very little goes a long way. A bit here, a bit there…
Intelligent Rhinos keep track of these matters.
Rhinos have an impressive Repertoire of movement styles, all on file for ready reference. We can amble, skip, and charge, to name but a few. But one We employ in our youth is the Scoot.
The Scoot is useful at any time when haste informs our exit, but it is perfected when dealing with Mom. Moms have little confusion when it comes to what will Do, and what will Not Do.
When sensing We have performed a Not Do, that is when We Scoot. Later, when We are all distanced from the Not Do Incident, Moms are calmer, if not entirely calm.
Today ‘Your Inner Rhino’ acknowledges Theophrastus. He lived in Lesbos around 340 bc, and was a Philosopher, studying with Aristotle and his merry men.
Among other things, Theophrastus studied Meteorology. (That is Weather, not Meteors, as We had assumed.) He had many intriguing ideas, and influenced studies of Weather for 2000 years. Oh yes.
Surprise! Rhinos know all about the Weather already. We just consult White Pelicans and Stellagamas and Snake-eyed Skinks, etc. They are hosts to encyclopedic data on what’s coming and when. We Rhinos benefit from having informed contacts and from being good listeners. Smart Critters are all over the place.
There’s only so much room on Earth, and Rhinos occupy only our fair share. Rhino Turfs. We mind our business, and note that most other critters do the same. Millenia’ worth of cooperation and adjustment.
How today’s overcrowding will play out is a Natural question, no living thing functions independently.
One thing is sure; Every species will have plenty of opportunity to Cope with these modifications, Naturally. We note that much of Coping is time sensitive.
Today We acknowledges New York becoming the 11th State in 1788. Much History and a lot of Vitality, plus a certain magnetic Charm for clever folk; Rhinos have always fit right in.
Washington Irving’s ‘Rip Van Winkle’, an 1819 folktale of a loafer sleeping through the Revolution, salutes the Old Men of the Mountains, the ghostly crew of Henry Hudson, long gone. They lure Rip to play nine pins in the forest and then slip him a mickey. Hence, the nap.
New York is so chock full of Event that picking a focus for celebration was just too exhausting for our Staff. Plus We like olde Dutch outfits.
Rhinos have always felt companioned in our daily dealings by Kindred Spirits. Different branches of the R Family have been often in sympathy with different critters. Over a course of fifty million years We’ve had multiple chums to select from.
This is primarily a spiritual bond, often long distance. In some cases an egret, in others a sea urchin, etc.
Pals can be an unpredictable crowd, at least that’s how Rhinos experience them.
Dealing with Temptation is a Rhino specialty. We see a Temptation; We yield at once. Why try to fool ourselves that We will withstand the ol’ Come Hither? Big waste of time.
Also, somebody else might swipe it while We hem and Haw.
One of the stimulating aspects of going to sleep is that when We dream, Rhinos have no control over where We are, or who’s keeping Us company.
Or virtually any other aspect of the Dreamscape. Whazzup? How long are We there? Who can say?
Rhinos like Sleepy Time; We drop the illusion that We control matters.
Your Inner Rhino 