Endangered Species

First of all, a big thanks to everyone who wrote with words of kindness and encouragement both about my wellness and my work on this ezine. Your appreciation really does play a huge part in what keeps me at this every day, nine years after I started.

But enough about me, on with the post.

Adrian Thompson takes all 60 of his "bloodthirsty foxhounds" on a walk every day on his property. Recently they found an abandoned fawn, only about one hour old, outside the front gates. What happened?

To the surprise of just about everyone, the pack adopted it. The Thompsons named the deer "Bam Bam," after Bambi, and every day it runs alongside the pack as they go about their walk. Next year Bam Bam will be relocated to a deer sanctuary.

+++

SIGNS YOU'RE EATING AN ENDANGERED SPECIES

The radio tag caught between your teeth should be the first clue.

The angry environmentalists picketing your table.

The hostess demands proof you don't work for the EPA.

Instead of choosing your seafood from a tank, the waiter looks both ways, then opens his jacket so you can choose from the selection sewn into the lining.

You order your fish poached and the waiter says, "Of course, but how would you like it cooked?"

[Chris White's Top Five on Food; edited by Mark Raymond]

+++

WORD for YOUR WEEK: The Middle English word "heven" meant to lift, or to take. We know it as the word "heave." But in the same way as leave becomes left, or thieve becomes theft, or cleave becomes cleft, heave becomes today's word, "heft." Heft means something is weighty, though it also carries the social meaning of something serious, or important. One trash bin liner company has named one of their garbage bags "Hefty Bags," meaning they will hold heavy items, or a lot of material. Heft can also be used as a verb, meaning to lift something.

+++

Mark's Musings is also sent each weekday via email. Put the toothpick down and get your own subscription for free by clicking here.