Monthly Archives: October 2025

Shop Cat

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I met a shop cat yesterday. I wish I had a picture to share with you because she was the sweetest little kitty you’ve ever met with the ideal temperament for a store.

Her name is Rue and she’s a tuxedo cat with beautiful markings for a little girl. She seemed full grown but small boned.

She was curled up asleep when I first encountered her but you know I couldn’t just walk past without giving her ears a good scratch. She stretched and purred, lazily opening one eye before amping up the purr to a light buzzing noise.

She meowed when I stopped scratching so I stayed a minute longer before walking away. By then she was wide awake and followed me. After rubbing around my legs and talking to me softly, I asked to pick her up and she let me!

It was the best time as she let me hold her like a baby, stretching and reaching, kneading the air and occasionally letting out the tiniest, most satisfied little mews.

The store was not great but, like any good employee, she convinced me to reconsider leaving and stay a little longer.

All shops should have such good employees!

Turtle In Rock

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Can you see the face of a turtle in this rock? I can but I’m also the type to see faces in clouds and wood grain. Maybe I go looking for these things but suspect I just have an open mind when it comes to seeing things in the world around me. And I’m delighted by the idea that simply being willing to see something unusual makes it possible to see something that others miss.

And now for a slightly less neurotic photo. It’s just a pretty scene from here in the Hocking Hills but I think it’s lovely as well.

Happy Thursday, friends!

Saying Yes

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I’ve been spending time with old phone photos lately, trying to delete duplicates and bad photos to clear up some space. It is a fun walk through memories but it also has been a good reminder of the times in my adventures that I have said yes and benefited from it. 

One of those reminders was a collection of pictures from a petting zoo/farm in Ohio’s Amish Country back in 2022. I was out driving country roads, looking for some slice of authentic Amish life, when I ran into traffic backed up from construction. Traffic had slowed to a creep when I noticed a sign for this business and, without knowing a single thing about the place, bailed from my meandering and turned into their driveway. 

I forked over some cash through my car window and joined a small horde of people who were there to look around an Amish farm and pet some exotic animals. I have no idea where folks think zebras, buffalo and giraffes fit in with the homemade bread and bonnets but that’s ok.

It was a fun time anyway and I truly enjoyed hopping on a horse drawn wagon full of strangers for a tour of the property and animals. 

Honestly, I can’t tell you much about that day. It was a beautiful October day. The basement of the home had shelves lined with canned vegetables that reminded me of my grandma’s kitchen. I spoke with a young Amish woman who was baking cookies and who was wistful about being stuck inside on a pretty day. Children hand fed some of the friendlier animals and one especially friendly buffalo attempted to steal my bag. 

It’s not something I would have seen in a brochure and said “that’s for me!” Yet, I had a nice time and only found my way there because I said yes. At the time, I really thought I was just saying no to sitting in traffic but, turns out I was learning a valuable lesson about the power of saying yes to opportunity. 

And this is just one example of all the wonderful experiences I’ve had just because I gave something a chance. It’s easier to do that on vacation but it’s important to do it sometimes in your daily life too.

After all, what do you have to lose?

Big Eyes

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I tidied my writing table over the weekend so Scout had to check it out. I’m not sure why but his eyes were big as saucers as he investigated the lack of pens and scrap paper lying about. People say that cats are aloof and without personality but my experience is that they are little characters with big personalities and emotions as valid and worth expressing as any human I know.

I’m grateful for my house panther.

Point Of View

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There’s a statue on Mount Washington, high above Pittsburgh, that tells an important story, It depicts George Washington and Seneca leader Guyasuta in a tense dialog and is titled “Point Of View.” 

The meeting took place in 1770 around a campfire as the two discussed the future of this region which was at the western edge of the British colonies. It was still wilderness and home to only about 200 white people.

This bronze sculpture was created by Pittsburgh native James West and dedicated in 2006. There’s a terrific narrative on this website if you are interested in the full history. Click here.

I want to point out how important this statue is. For one, public art of any kind is always special and this piece is particularly wonderful because it tells a story that is still relevant as we continue to have tense conversations regarding the future of this place we call America. 

It’s also important because it captures one moment in time and tells a much bigger story that is not taught in schools. It brings to life something that might otherwise be just a footnote in a book. I’m a history buff and still often found high school history class an absolute snooze. I marvel at how we take interesting stories and reduce them to something so dull. 

So it’s gratifying when art collides with a fascinating story like this one to create a powerful testament to our origins.

Also, know that you get a great view of the city from up here and that this is the best place to catch the sunrise.

If you go looking for it, know that there is not one online source that provides good directions to this statue. Not one. It is located on Grandview Avenue at the corner of Sweetbriar Street on Mount Washington. It’s a relatively short walk from the incline stations. 

Silent Sunday: Erie, PA

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