As this reader approaches the end of six decades and pauses to consider the rescued dogs and cats that have shared his home and made their bed in permanent corners of his and his family’s heart, I wonder if it was because my siblings and I devoured James Herriot’s veterinary tales early in life. (‘James Herriot’ was the pen name of the real Alfred ‘Al’ Wight.)
It wouldn’t surprise. Such was the uncanny ability of Alfred Wight’s eye to capture the immensely rich nuances of man and beast in the Yorkshire hills and dales of the earlier 20th century. Over a re-read that has lasted a year or two, I marvel at the patient and slightly awed love—I think that’s the word—which fuels the gentle, acute conversations that are sprinkled across every page of All Creatures Great and Small, All Things Bright and Beautiful, and All Things Wise and Wonderful.
I’m not sure whether you need to adore animals in order to delight in these books. Perhaps so, but maybe the short chapters work their way into readers’ hearts and turn them into animal lovers. And devoted readers.
I can think of only one tribute to these readable classics that comes even close to giving them their due: I’ll just have to start reading them all over again.
Don’t ride without this.
It may help if I clarify that I made a value choice when I ordered these bike shorts. I’m not a competitive biker and was not looking to pay top dollar for a slight performance edge or for the panache of a high-dollar brand.
Well constructed, comfortably fitting, good looking, apparently durable solution for the cyclist’s feet during log rides. Note that they are slightly higher above the ankle than some similar socks.
These accessibly priced wireless earbuds are so far beyond earlier solutions I’ve tried that it’s difficulty to consider them members of the same category.
Why has it never before occurred to me to buy ‘glasses straps’ in quantity instead of holding on to the old one until it had all the zippy tautness of a deceased night-crawler?
This marvelously versatile and well-conceived tool is perfect for small to medium adjustments at home and even as an on-ride security blanket for those who fear the worst when the wheels are rolling.
I had to stare awkwardly at my shoes for a while before springing for this Thule product when others that cost less were available. But I figure I’ll likely own only one of those puppies, which reduces the window for recovery from a bad choice. So I sprang not only for the Thule but for the three-bike as opposed to the two-bike option.
The very first words of the product description read ‘Easy entry and exit due to a fluoropolymer material …’ and I’m finding this to be true after two weeks of debuting these Look KEO cleats. They’re significantly easier on this front than my previous cleats. As a relative novice on a road bike, I’m finding this feature to be useful in avoiding needless and embarrassing low-speed Road Rash.
I’m getting back into riding after seven years on my feet. I ordered this yellow Spotti jersey as part of the campaign to get the right gear in place without breaking the bank. After a first ride, I immediately ordered a blue one.
Canter Bridge 