Of the billions of souls on this planet, only two are curious enough to see if I am still breathing every morning. Although, I am not entirely convinced their interest is motivated by love.

My dogs and I have this ritual. They can speak, dance, wave, crawl and so on - but I can’t get them to stop attacking the sweeper. Yes, welcome to Ohio - we "sweep" carpets here.

The Explorer, the Genie and Bo head back out for more adventures. Unless I kill them off. I wish I could join them. Yeah, I'm not entirely sure myself which phrase that last statement goes with.

I am exhausted by news and history. So, today I watched my cat play with a dead wasp. Made me realize. This is me on so many levels for all things "life". Just to clarify. I am the mouse.

I've now had a week to process this. In my life I've had 8 dogs. Lost track of the number of cats. Plus hamsters, mice, rats, rabbits, fish, birds and ducks. It's hard to say goodbye. Yeah. Even the fish.

I have a marionette I received as a gift when I was 3 years old. He is my bestest, most loyal friend - because I clipped his strings long ago so he can’t leave me like everybody else.

Happy World Puppetry Day! This is my previously mentioned BFF - sans strings - doing some modeling. And? So. I wonder. About hidden messages. Should this be an awkward, but professional end for HBM?

Two cats. A dog. Work. My existence. Not half-full. Nor half-empty. Just. Shattered. Glass. To tread over. And over. And over again. Smearing bloody breadcrumbs. Of torture. Of misery. But the only sign. I was here.

I spent many a sleepover weekend at my grandparents growing up. They taught me card games like Rummy, Crazy Eights and - eventually - Pinochle. Board games like Chinese checkers and Bingo. And. Of course. Tiddlywinks.

Happy World Puppetry Day! If you accept that we are a random coalescence of atoms in space and time – you still must ponder: can we ever scientifically prove our consciousness originates from INSIDE of us?

Life is ... absurd. From nothing – through everything – to nothing. At least on this plane of existence. And before or after? 'Tis the great mystery. My advice? Whilst a guest of this corporeal realm – set your focus INSIDE the "fish bowl" resting on your shoulders. Because THAT ... is reality.