Fishing for a good book? Well you otter check out my new book club blog!

I can imagine you rolling your eyes, "Enough of the otter jokes! Where are they coming from?" Well, short story long, the wisecracks started last weekend.

Thanks to my excellent timing, I was wise enough to visit the Smithsonian National Zoo / Woodley Park Zoo on a cold and rainy day of March. The only animals bothering to be outside were the sleek aquatics, particularly the playful otters rustling up some mussels for lunch. A couple next to me were snapping photos and watching with suspense as the otter wrestled with the mollusk's tight lips.

"Oh no, he can't get it open! You can do it little otter!" They cheered.

Their sympathy was contagious and I began identifying with the little critter myself...

"This is, like, the story of my life," I muttered, thinking about my pathetically weak arms that often fail to open doors, anything capped in lab, and any jars in my kitchen. Sometimes I wish I carried magic pliers, but even that would slip through my hands like butter.

Needless to say, the otter cracked open the mussel, chewed up all the insides in a flash, and then tossed the shell over the shoulder like it was no big deal. Perked up with renewed energy, it started hopping down the creek in search for its next meal.

And that's when a thought hit me. Why don't I just start writing a story about my life? The lively spirit of the otters has inspired me.

But my life in itself is not that interesting. No, seeing how I have bored you with my blog origin story. Surely though, there are stories that I have read, seen, and experienced in my life that I do find worth sharing. Just as the otters try to pry open them mussels, some of which are good and some are bad (but one can't tell 'till it's open), I'm always looking for the next story to devour and ponder. Some of which leave a sour taste, while others have a bittersweet or pleasant taste.

And so begins this blog about the stories in my life, the stories that I have opened and tried, and now recommend or don't recommend. Nothing like any otter blog you've seen before I bet...

“You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.” ― C.S. Lewis