Why Do Animal Couples Look Over Each Other's Shoulders?
They say that Zebras do it to rest their heavy, weary heads while looking both ways for signs of danger. Oh, and BTW, they can swat flies from each other's eyes, which has a practical advantage.
Animal photos courtesy of Ann Johannsen, Tanzania, 2023
Giraffes do it, stand in twos looking over one’s shoulders, that is, to work together, to scope a larger area. This allows them to collectively watch out for predators, strengthen social connections, and share resources such as shade, food, and water.
I’ve named my weekly Substack column Stories by Janus in honor of the Roman god who looks in two directions and shares my name phonetically. I want to stand with my fellow humans and look out for them, one for all and all for one. I want to stand with pretty much most of the animal kingdom, except for roaches and such. I want to see clouds and issues from both sides. I want to have a but-on-the-other-hand approach, to glimpse the future, such as it is, being 76 and married to an 80-year-old as we try not to be overwhelmed by everything. Because of all this, I spin flash memoir, drawing on life adventures, combining my vivid imagination with my flawed memory, trying to spark a memory or two of yours, trying to evoke a smile, getting you to pause for a moment, to step off the merry-go-round, to find a moment of repose.
Today’s moment of repose is remembering the Memorial Day of my childhood, the row of perennially robust peony bushes that grew back every year, serving as the boundary between our yard and our garden. On the last Monday in May, we would cut armloads to lay on the graves of our ancestors and then drive to the Cerro Gordo High School, 239 students sporting a marching band of 90. We would march from the school, down Main Street, and on to the West Frantz cemetery at the edge of town, where the local dignitaries would speak, and the American Legion would provide a military salute before we went to the park, gathering around picnic tables for fried chicken, lemonade, and watermelon.
What do you remember from your childhood? Please leave a comment, and if you enjoyed this, subscribe for free and forward it to a friend. Smile and stay safe.
this is lovely, Janice! Both the reflections on collaboration as well as the peonies! peonies were writ large in my childhood, as well. 🩷
All of the above, Janice!! And Memorial Day was the day my mother and grandmother would retrieve their white shoes and purse from the closet. xo