Merlin’s favorite times of the year are the fall and spring, simply because that’s when windows can be open and he can watch (and smell) the birds and squirrels that he’d like to be outside chasing. Here, he peers intently at the back yard through the open window right next to my desk earlier this week. Merlin is the one who disappeared for a couple of days after an escape through a screen about two years ago. He doesn’t seem to eager to leave the comforts of home behind after that adventure.

The hole is always there, but I foolishly hope it’ll just go away
Nobody has the right to a position in your life which you don’t want
Do I oppose rulers because I hate rulers — or because I hate rules?
Why do American Christians impose political beliefs on God?
I still have trouble accepting that my idealized world doesn’t exist
In ’98, Ron Paul warned U.S. policy was leading to terrorist attacks
Unless you’re suicidal, an armed march on D.C. is a very bad idea