From here to there

by in R Life Lessons, R Mindset | 2 Comments

Flat Earth Theory has a lot to recommend it for anybody who has walked over a lot of the surface of the World, step by step by step by step, trudging along. In fact, other “concepts” have always seemed pretty far-fetched to Us. Sorry, but that’s how We see it. And experience it. Common sense, right?

Flat Earth 1-26

The earth as a spherical planet seems so implausible. Some folks believe it’s round, but We can’t hurl ourselves onto that bandwagon. Wouldn’t We roll off the earth all the time? One misstep and you spin away to who-knows-where-oh-golly?

We’ve seen a lot of revolutionary ideas, and We like to allow for Developments. This is such a case. Hotheads Unite!

On a less-obvious note, We Rhinos have only visited in South America. We never colonized there, as We did in North America. It wasn’t Location, it was Timing; the variables of many real estate decisions.

So then she said…

by in R Life Lessons, Rhino Nifty | 4 Comments

News dispatch

We are careful with our sources of information. We try not to be gullible, but We are naturally trusting. That may be a fault, but We own up to it. We are not sly.

We get a lot of data from birds. They have the advantages of mobility and aerial perspective, getting the Bigger Picture. That said, much of what they have to report is, not unexpectedly, for the birds. Literally.

Wavelengths

by in Department of the Interior, R Body Beautiful | 8 Comments

Distinct sounds

There is a lot of sound here and about. How We process it is hard to explain; pretty unpredictable what grabs our attention. Sometimes it feels like Dumb Luck is calling the shots.

What’s easy to evaluate is whether the Team is functioning effectively. If not, the listener (We) can get into Trouble. Not all sound is enchanting in the Wild.

It’s a good thing that We are Quick. Once We know what’s going on, that is.

Prince Charming

by in R Mindset | 2 Comments

My Hero

A little Romance, no matter how improbable, spices things up in the Wild. Romance gives shape to an afternoon. We can pretend We are helpless and mindless, pining for somebody to trot up and save the day. Make-believe never hurt anybody, in strictly limited doses.

Life in the Wild serves up plenty of Reality. Romance can help, but it shouldn’t be confused with Reality; that would lead to Expectations. Expectation is not Natural. We have to understand that what comes, comes. We need to stay alert 24/7.

Rhino vision is second-rate enough without Rose-Colored Glasses. A very little RCG goes a long way.

but Not Forgotten

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Gone but...

These two images represent the other odd-toed kin of our ancient family. They have moved along in the Sweep of Time.

Brontotheres were burly critters, browsing around. They had unique horns, oddly shaped like a nasal forklift. Some were quite big, some were less so. That’s how Nature uses Time, to try things out. They exited about 32 million years ago, after a 6 million year run (or so). Like We were counting… har, har.

Humans have only been around for 2 million years, so We can see that Brontotheres made their mark in the time they were allotted. Just to clarify, We are discussing Millions of Years here. A lot of Time. A whole lot.

Chilicotheres had a happy history, about as long as ours, though they departed 4 million years ago. They started out as We all did, lumpy and hard to tell apart. When they got their Call they developed long front limbs, shorter back ones. Very even tempered is how We recall them. One thing: their front hoofs changed into claws, though nobody can quite recall what they did with them. They lived just about everywhere, again, in a variety of sizes. 40 million years seem an impressive run, even to Us. A serious posthumous Bravo!

Applause always has its place in critter interaction.

Wild Animals

by in R Outlook, Rhino Family, Your INNER Rhino | 3 Comments

zoo profiles

Zoos are useful for acquainting people with Rhinos. Our zoo presence serves a serious purpose in raising Awareness. Beyond question, We need human backing and attention where We actually live. Human activity requires human intervention.

Nobody asks to live at the Zoo. The zookeepers are usually good people, doing everything to keep Us safe and healthy. We are well fed. Ultimately every element of every day is determined by the Zoo management. Neither Rhino nor Keeper imagines the situation is Natural, however attractive it may be.

We do not abandon RhinoHeart, living at the Zoo. We are Rhinos. We live with the conditions We face, wherever We are. Still, We were designed by Nature to be in the Wild, and We miss it when We are elsewhere.

We don’t know what to do about the situation either. We would sigh, but sighing is Not Rhino (NR).

A New Dawning

by in R Life Lessons, R Outlook, Rhino Nifty | 3 Comments

new look

Each night, We encourage our Tots to put aside the petty woes of the day, and get ready for a spanky-fresh tomorrow. Like getting a new outfit for the day to come.

So effective is this tradition, that We adults embrace it as well. It’s easy to tell when someone forgets. Ms. or Mr. Grumpy comes to call. (Cue: eye rolling)

Imaginary jumpsuits do not actually have zippers.

Neither Kith nor Kin

by in R Life Lessons, Rhino Family | 6 Comments

P-derm lessons

These animals are not relations, as We are often asked. They are pachyderms all right (as We are) which means “thick skin”. However, beyond that they have their own “Paths to Destiny”, with which We wish them luck. From a cool distance.

Elephants are bigger than We are, and Hippos are roughly the same size as some of our family. We (R), and they (h), come in a range of sizes.

We share turf in Africa, allowing one another space to function. We Rhinos are mainly soloists in our daily routines. Elephants parade about in herds, and Hippos are aquatic gangs or tribes or conglomerates or something.

In Asia there are no Hippos. Elephants there are more easy-going. Many do not serve themselves; they serve humans. What they make of that situation, We cannot say.

Is it possible that “Pachyderm” also means thin-skinned? All of Us are excitable. Especially them. We are artistic.

By the way, if you are green with envy, as We assume you well may be, get out some yarn and knitting needles. Knit one, purl two, whatever that means.