What Do Plants Think And Feel?

Hi folks, I was awoken in the middle of the night by a teenager turning on lights, and I just could not get back to sleep. Thinking of teenagers, here is my favorite but unfortunately deceased dog, Trixie. What a lovely dog she was, and I had no doubt about her thinking or feeling lots of things because her expressions of pleasure and pain were not so different from my own and those of the other humans ... Read more

Comparisons: Nickel versus Johnny’s, Marathon versus Ironman

Hi folks, Exercise Tip: Allow sufficient recovery time after really long races or workouts. My lovely little dog, Nickel, passed away a few days ago. She lived for 16 good years and had a happy life, dying quietly of old age, wagging her tail for treats up until near the end - may I do as well. Then a few days later I had to deal with another unpleasant transition. I had nipped across the road to enjoy ... Read more

Tragedy versus Irony, Peeling Kohlrabi, And Be Careful With Your Retirement Funds

Hi folks, A recent comment on this blog by my brother, Trevor, reminded me of an event that occurred about 20 years ago. I was spending a pleasant afternoon with an artist friend of mine, Andy Fleishman. We were enjoying a glass of beer whilst sitting on one of Andy's concrete creations next to the pond at the home studio of Andy and Kate, along with a number of goats, horses, geese, dogs, and cats scattered ... Read more

Circadian Rhythm, Exercise, Depression, And Feedback Loops

Hi folks, welcome!     Quote for fun: "Happiness is a choice that requires effort at times." Apparently from Aeschylus. This is really really really true! If there are degrees of truth, that is!           Whilst tweeting the other day I was reminded of an event that occurred during my training at the Bristol University Veterinary School, in England a ... Read more

Take Time To Stop And Stroke The Kittens!

  Hi folks, I was out riding the bike the other day with my friend Rory, who loves to always ride 'balls to the wall,' as they say. He just can't help it! Honest! He can't! As we approached a set of farm buildings where a delightful cat lives, Rory said, "are you going to stop and see the cat?" Notice, he didn't say "are we going to stop?" I said "of course," but I could tell that Rory wanted to keep on ... Read more

Lumpers, Splitters, Phenotypic Variance, And Life As A State Of Dynamic Tension

Hi folks! It would appear that we are all slightly different creatures, humans, but we do fall into certain types, or phenotypes. Tall, short, phlegmatic, choleric, hirsute, less hairy, analytical, emotive, and so-forth! When I worked as a pathologist it was clear that there are two types of pathologists, lumpers and splitters. If you are a lumper and you try to work with a splitter, they'll drive you crazy, and ... Read more

Sex, Drugs, Rock and Roll, Shaking Hands With Death, And Embracing Your Climacteric!

  Hi folks! I attended St. George's Grammar school in England in the late 1950s to the early 1960s. Here is picture of the school building as it was when I was there as a shy teenager who was definitely not part of the 'in set.' I did, however, love to study and learn new things. This scholastic edifice, which was very kind to me in many ways, exposed me to a range of interesting subjects including ... Read more

It Is Easier To Want What You Get Than To Get What You Want, Apollo 13, and Rube Goldberg Machines

Hi folks, I remember reading a Zen Meditation book, written by a small group in California (I couldn't find this book on line), in which it was stated that 'it is easier to want what you get than to get what you want.' It really means that you can enjoy life with what you have, rather than always wanting what you don't have, to which there is no end. This sounds like the Chez Ollie all wrapped up in a different ... Read more

Disclaimer: As a veterinarian, I do not provide medical advice for human animals. If you undertake or modify an exercise program, consult your medical advisors before doing so. Undertaking activities pursued by the author does not mean that he endorses your undertaking such activities, which is clearly your decision and responsibility. Be careful and sensible, please.