PARADE AND PANGOLINS

 We weren't in Pasadena on January 1st, but we watched the Rose Bowl Parade on a big screen t.v.  Am pretty sure we had far better close-ups of the colorful event than those standing on the sidelines.  Our friends tuned in to RFD, which eliminated the commercial interruptions.  Cuddy snugged close to me in a comfy recliner as we joined its virtual audience.

Because of Covid, last year's parade was canceled, first time since World War II.  LeAnn Rimes opened this year's parade with a wish, as she sang....."If I could throw my arms around the world, Maybe I could love it back to life....."  After Rime's song, a B-2 flew over the crowd, giving rise to millions of goose bumps around the world.

One by one, the floats passed by portraying metaphors and analogies for a better 2022.  The parade embraced the themes of education, literacy, the importance of science, determination and perseverance.  The equine entries were magnificent, as always, as they pranced the parade route, decorated with flowers in their manes and silver saddles that glistened in the sun. 

Pangolin

The Embodiment of Nature float featured colorful representations of the African elephant, black-footed ferrets, pangolins and the Lear's Macow, all of which are in danger of dying out because of habitat destruction, pollution, and the destruction of rain forests.

Pangolin
rolled up

Before the parade, I was unfamiliar with the pangolin.  Research tells me that the pangolin is also known as the scaly anteater, covered in hard, plate-like scales.  Their name 'pangolin' is derived from the Malay word 'pengguling,' which means 'something that rolls up,' like the picture shows. Some believe they are related to anteaters and armadillos.  

There are eight species of pangolin on planet Earth that live in Asia, Africa and India.  These animals are secretive, solitary and nocturnal. Their scales are made of the same protein that makes up our own hair and nails, whale teeth, bear claws and rhino horns.  These scales cover their entire body from head to tip of tail, except for their undersides, which are covered with a few hairs.  The scales make up 20% of their body weight.  When they feel threatened, they curl up into a ball to protect their tender undersides.  

Pengolins don't have teeth and are unable to chew.  They instead have long sticky tongues they use to catch insects.  When the tongue is fully extended, it can be 16 inches long.  One pangolin consumes more than 70 million insects a year.  They eat mainly ants and termites.

This makes it glaringly obvious how much we do not know.  Think of the gazillions of insects, bugs, animals, plants and people that cohabit alongside us.  We get bogged down with the drama of the day, that we fail to reach out and learn all we can while we're here.  Always amazes me how animals have their individual ways of protecting themselves.  All a person has to do is see a skunk, and what's the first thing that comes to mind?  Get as far away from it as possible.  Just imagine what it must be like to be avoided by everyone.  Skunkies must be so unloved.  Yet, if they were de-scented, skunks are adorable black and white creatures that are born into the world just like the rest of us.  No one, no animal, no insect asks to be what they are.  We humans think we're superior, but the way the world is right now.......that's up for serious debate.

Got a bit of snow overnight, enough to cover the deck in white.  High wind advisory for today.  The boyfriend has a re-check with his eye doctor this morning.  I'm staying home with our house guest.  He's cuddled now under his daddy's t-shirt, taking a long winter's nap. It's that kinda day.