The temperature is rising, 31c here in the Flathead Valley Montana. And having just returned from a trip in a hot car my mind is returning to an article sent me earlier in the year. Yes, now is the time to link to this article, Fatal Distraction Forgetting a Child in the Backseat of a Car Is a Horrifying Mistake.: Written by Gene Weingarten of The Washington Post.

Here is an extract from a congratulatory piece on winning the Pulitzer. Fatal Distraction is hard to read and at the same time deeply compassionate.

It's a masterpiece. And it's brutal. If you're having a wonderful day, and are in high spirits, maybe you shouldn't read it. But it's a deserving winner, (Pulitzer Prize) and while we'll never know for sure, I personally prefer to believe that this piece (written by Washington Post Staff Writer Gene Weingarten) has already saved many lives. That's a fine thing to be able to say about a piece of writing!

From a review in The Huffington Post

Thanks to Julius for the link.

Simon after grooming session
He appears in the kitchen at just before four in the afternoon. It's clear that now is an OK to get out the FURminator and have at it. This little gadget is so good at getting out the undercoat of cats and dogs that shed I just have to give it a mention.

Long time readers may remember the post Cat and Moose in which Simon featured. He is still the happy cat he was two years ago, and remarkably non-vocal too.

Photo note: To get a sharp image of a cat after, or during, a grooming session is almost impossible. This is the best I could do.

'Eyes In The Back Of The Head' from Mugo on Vimeo.

This is a greeting from the woods of Washington. Recorded a couple of weeks ago. At least. And you should know I am talking about something that is common to all. The faculty of sight that is not reliant on the physical eyes and more on sense.
Now in Montana and ready to get back at it.

The way to know life is to love many things.

Van Gogh

I'd say that love has no edges, and still there are the 100 Grasses - every things, to love.

This quote was lifted from a recent comment. Thanks

Walking in the woods the other day I saw this berry, a Salmon Berry I think. I was tempted to pick and eat it, but didn't. A woman who has recently died came to mind and decided to leave it there, in her memory. So here it is, for all to see. This could be a berry, an offering, for every mom. We all have one and whatever the relationship was/is like, the quality of nurturing for example, one can at the very least be grateful for being born into this world.

For Jack and family.

I'm kneeling.
Not thought of kneeling before
my laptop.
Have to. The table is low.
It's a stool actually, not a table.
An ant. A very busy ant.
Runs up the screen, climbs up
the mountain of Jade Mountains
then off across the top of the screen.
Again.

Viewing in profile. Now down
the side of the screen. So active.
I start to wonder if it's looking
for something. Or is it on a mission
of some kind. Perhaps it's one of those
scout ants I've been told about.
WATCH OUT for the scout ant!
Beware! Be aware.

There will be a marching army
behind it. If it's worth their while
to march this way. But I know better,
now,
not to give them any cause at all.
A whiff of something sweet, something
of anything. An invitation?
Will bring on an invasion.

Thinking about ants. Talking about ants. Using military words. Invasion. Marching. Mission. But who am I to know what they are up to. They are simply making a living. Best way they can. Arn't we all.

....uh! There it is again making
a decent south to the task bar!
Across the rocky key pads and....
down my sleeve! Or
into the headphone jack?

Yes, kneeling before my laptop, as I still am, seems to help. With? With connecting 'with'. Which is just about what my writing for Jade Mountains is all about.

I don't like to think about it however
I think that ant is now down
at my foot. So perhaps it is time
to get up and take a walk in
those wonderful woods. Where I walk
with those four Bull Elk.
Not that I've caught sight of them.
Yet.
However. They are non the less there.
Just not in sight.
Like you.

....uh! There goes that ant again
heading for the rocks.
Over the mountains. Deft climber.
Now. Down behind the screen.
Again.
Where you all are!
Sitting.
Still.
Always still.