“Hounds follow those who feed them.” — Otton von Bismarck

I am standing in Boston Commons, killing some time before my Airbnb opens, when I feel a tug on my pant leg. I look down, and a squirrel is starting to climb up my trousers. I'm too surprised to react, and he stops at about my knee where we proceed to regard one another. I give him the universal sign for "I got nothing," (plus a little wave of my hand) and he jumps off, running toward another park goer.
I think about the little tree rat because I'm reading a story about backyard bird feeders changing the migratory habits of bird species. Small changes in one's environment can bring about long term consequences.
When I worked in an office I went in early and left late. I could have used a coach to help with life balance, but instead focused on brute effort to get things done. On more than one occasion my work life required trips to off-site locations where we'd strategize over malted beverages. Some of these after work gatherings turned lengthy, and I would stumble home later than usual. The house might be quiet with my lovely bride and our offspring tucked away, and I'd see a note on the table, "Dinner is in the fridge."
Yep, the note was written with a heavy hand and when I got the fidge I could see the effort that went into making the culinary delight. These were the days when every cell phone call cost money, so communication wasn't just a text away. I'm not making excuses, just putting you in the proper era.
These days our migration patterns have changed. I'm working from home, and it's my lovely bride who ventures out in the real world. After a long day teaching future leaders of the world and sitting in meetings she is not in the mood for making culinary delights. This usually means going out for a bite, but tonight I am in a creative mood. We have some tomatoes, some fire roasted veggies, etc. I run to the bakery, then get to work and make dinner. Not anything fancy, but I use most of the kitchenware, and make lots of great smells. I plate things up and admire my work.
Then I wait. And wait.
"When are you coming home?" I text. Nothing. The food cools down, and I eat all tomorrow morning's scones while watching the local news. Then it hits me.
"Is this the night you're going to dinner?" I text. 20 minutes later she replies, "Yes."
I look down and Wilson the ABC is looking up. His dark eyes are larger than the Boston squirrel's, but they want the same thing.
As luck would have it, this time I got something.
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