Mimi Torchia Boothby

Iriomote Cat – Critically Endangered

For the letter “I” I would like to introduce you to one of the rarest cats in the world. They live on a tiny Japanese Island which has been overrun with tourism, and the Iriomote cat is one of the attractions. A fatal attraction, unfortunately. It seems that most of the cats that die are…

April 10, 2012

Hawaiian Hibiscus

One of the wonderful things about Hawaii was all the beautiful flowers that flourish there year round. The state flower of Hawaii is the yellow Hibiscus. We found, however that we liked the Hibiscus arnottianus much better, it is so striking in contrast and simplicity with its pure white petals and red stamens. The sad…

April 9, 2012

Goodness – a walk in the park

I have been married for 34 years and it surprises me now just how much pleasure I get out of something so simple as a walk in the park. There is little that seems more romantic to me than this act. You walk away from your chores, your computer, television and you are freed to…

April 7, 2012

F is for Fishing Cat

The Fishing Cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) is a medium-sized wild cat of South and Southeast Asia. They are twice the size of a domestic cat. Their claws do not retract all the way like most cats, and they love water. Not only do they swim and fish, but they swim underwater for long distances. Fishing cat…

April 6, 2012

Esteemed by Elephants

Most humans love elephants, but wild African elephants generally only love elephants. I want to bring to your attention an exception. I would introduce you to Lawrence Anthony, born in 1950 in South Africa, the very man who rushed into Baghdad to rescue the surviving zoo animals after the US Invasion and the terrible bombing…

April 5, 2012