The female red fox is called a vixen. I have called my 3-year-old, reddish-haired daughter many things, but never a vixen. According to a dictionary, a vixen is "a spiteful or quarrelsome woman." My 3-year-old is in fact a vixen.
The octopus is a unique creature of the sea. We watched an amazing video of the ingenious way an octopus steals crabs from a fisherman. Youtube search "octopus steals crabs from fisherman" and recognize the world's most intelligent invertebrate!
Do you know the difference between an alligator and a crocodile? Do you know there is a cousin of those reptiles known as the caiman? Our daughters now can differentiate between alligator, crocodile and caiman. There is only one place in the world where they could find an alligator and crocodile sharing the same habitat. The answer - The Florida Everglades. I've been there. One of the most memorable experiences of my life.
Elephants belong to complex social groups led by a female aka the matriarch. My wife was the teacher on this day. I glued a photo of my wife to construction paper and then I drew the outline of an elephant. My wife's head was now inside the head of an elephant. Then, my 5-year-old executed a painting of our matriarch. Masterpiece. Initial design by man. Creation by woman. Inspiration - my woman. This is probably the only way you can compare your wife to an elephant and gain appreciation.
There is a website where you can listen to an array of owl hoots. After practicing our "balcony hoots", my daughters and I critiqued hoots from the Great Horned Owl to the Barn Owl. If you traveled to the North Pole to find the Elf Owl it would not be wise. The Elf Owl actually is found near the border of the United States and Mexico.
Starfish are not fish. Fish have backbones. Starfish do not have backbones. Neither do jellyfish. Do you know who eats jellyfish tentacles like spaghetti? Turtles. No sauce, no sting. Bon Appetit.
My wife and I were once at an ostrich farm in Aruba. During the last two weeks, I've daydreamed about running wild with ostriches. They can run up to 43 mph. In my daydream, I am faster. Also, I dream I can fly. Ostriches cannot fly.
The golden eagle can have a wingspan of up to 7.5 feet. We used a tape measure to demonstrate that incredible range. Again, I imagined flying. Minutes later, I was pushing a vixen and her sister in a Radio Flyer red wagon. Dads cannot fly.
During a torrential downpour, I picked up Saturday night dinner from Luna Azteca in Westmont. Bon Appetit, parents. While in the parking lot, a bird of prey swooped right in front of my windshield and landed on the neighboring building. Like a crazy apocalyptic Dad, I stood in the rain and photographed a perched hawk. The golden eagle is on the flag of Mexico. Chicken flautas would be on my flag of fatherhood.
On Sunday morning, we enjoyed The Evergreens latest homebound concert, a dedication to The Beatles. I colored a Winnie the Pooh page that read "Life is simple in the Hundred-Acre Wood". Beside Pooh and Piglet staring into the stream, I added "Bright eyes cheer the heart; good news strengthens the bones" (Proverbs 15:30).
Ostriches have acute eyesight, able to see predators from miles away. I don't know what tomorrow will bring. I am indeed not an ostrich. I can't run as fast. My neck is not 4+ feet long; however, if I keep pulling that Radio Flyer, I might extend something. Alas, my bones remain strong.
Johnstown, wake up each morning with bright eyes. Cheer someone else's heart. Be a good news teller. Parents, teach your kids daily even if sometimes being stuck in the house is like chewing on jellyfish tentacles.
Monday is another day. Animal of the Day: "The Chameleon!"
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