I’m closing in on two-and-a-half years of my health saga. The precipitating condition was stage four melanoma, whose treatment caused a chain of debilitating side effects that I am still trying to extricate myself from. Every step has involved a tremendous amount of waiting.
During the cancer treatment stage, I decided I would read more books, specifically books on this list from St. John’s College. Immersing myself in reading, I thought, would give me a break, help me persevere. Ted Goia’s article from April 2023 was a strong motivator.
His article reminded me of my 18-year-old book-loving self so much that I was compelled to comment in April 2023:
I read this article with great interest, especially “My daily reading is my proven path to Nirvana...”
When I was 18 I applied to St John’s College in Annapolis, specifically for their great books reading program. I ended up graduating from a more sensible school, the University of Minnesota. I did not forget about that list of books, however. I am now 62, undergoing cancer treatment, and, as a result, not working. I recently pulled out that list and am reading book #1 for freshmen: Homer’s Iliad. I read slowly also and am recovering from the frenetic pace of modern business reading, which is more like ultra scanning. I hope I never have to return to that anxiety provoking activity. My intent now is to savor passages and lose myself in the content.
Here’s the list: https://www.sjc.edu/academic-programs/undergraduate/great-books-reading-list
The other day a notification alerted me that someone liked my comment, which prompted me to re-read what I had written. Alas, I am not reading with abandon today. Shortly after I posted that comment, the symptoms of colitis overtook my life. From there I was faced with one thing after another, such that I have struggled — especially in the second half of 2023 — to make it through each day with my equilibrium intact.
Animals: An alternate path to Nirvana
Since books were not a reliable method for me to reach a transcendent state — or at least regain focus — I turned to our extended menagerie. I started to recognize that the animals in my life were providing me with some serious relief.
Always amusing, their required daily care also forces me to get up and move: twice daily feeding Bun and Ella, refilling the hens’ water containers; changing Bun’s litter boxes; shopping for food and supplies; walking Ella. When we host the dogs and cat from our extended family, we care for them and also oversee interactions among the group. The cat stalks the Bun. Cooper, one of the guest dogs, plays with / terrorizes the cat. Bun eats the dogs’ food. The chickens are afraid of Bun. Ella is annoyed with all of the activity.
It’s a full and mainly joyful life.
Nothing beats watching Bun eat
Be sure to turn up the volume when you watch the following videos.
Most animals eat like there’s no tomorrow, because there often isn’t. Bun is indeed territorial about her food, but she approaches eating in an almost contemplative way, full of focus.
Bun’s primary food is Timothy hay. Hay is an important part of a rabbit’s diet because it provides the fiber needed to prevent GI stasis. All that chewing also keeps the ever growing rabbit’s teeth trimmed. I’ve read that some house rabbits need to be coaxed to eat enough hay. I’m lucky. Bun spends hours and hours in her box, day and night.
Alfalfa hay is one of her favorite treats. When I pull out the bag with alfalfa hay, Bun starts excitedly hopping about. Once Bun starts in on her portion, she doesn’t stop until all bits are eaten. Because of its high calcium content, alfalfa is not her main hay source.
Like most rabbits, Bun loves sweet fruit like bananas. I let Bun feast on a small piece of banana once a week or so due to its high sugar content. Fortunately, she also loves greens, a better daily food. I wish I had her zeal for greens.
Her love of food is infectious. Here she is savoring a large red grape.
The chickens have a very different eating vibe
Our hens also spend most of their day eating. It takes a lot of energy to produce eggs and stay on the alert for hawks and other predators. They take care of our food scraps and plants I harvest from the yard, helping the plants turn into lush compost.
Whitey approaches a big salad in the following video.
The pecking order is real. While pecking for pellets and scratch, they jockey for their rightful position.
Dogs are and will always be in a hurry when they eat
Ella is the top animal in our household. She learned how to control herself around the chickens and the Bun. She is a reliable photo op subject. See here and here. She’s an all around pleasant dog to live with.
Her eating style is definitely dog-like: rushed. With Bun’s arrival in 2019, I learned of Ella’s love of Romaine lettuce. When I set out Bun’s vegetables, Ella makes sure that I reserve a few crunchy pieces of Romaine for her.
Ella waits patiently for her portion of Romaine and then gulps it down.
Cuddles are nice too
We’ve been caring for Lila a lot lately and I’ve had to up my cat game. I am happy to report that she and I are sufficiently bonded.
One day she was prowling the room and decided to rest on the bed where I was reclining. She carefully stepped on my leg and then curled up next to it. The view of flying creatures from this vantage point is stellar. More realistic than Cat TV.
Things are better for me today than they were one year ago. I may not be living my best life yet, as many days are consumed with health issues and the administration and bureaucracy that surrounds illness. I’m limited physically and uncomfortable / in pain most days. I’m not in a position to travel or return to work. Still, I feel more myself today than almost every day last year.
As for reading, I’m not yet ready to tackle the St. John’s list of great books, but yesterday I finished Pigs In Heaven by Barbara Kingsolver, a satisfying novel about cultural identity. Next up: Bel Canto by Ann Patchett.
So many satisfying sounds. Ella’s crunching and Bun’s grape eating are favorites. Love you very much Leah P
These made me really happy.!!