Bunchland

Joanna Goldberg sends communiqués from Kenya, where she’s living with her kid

I’ve been trying to raise Cameron as a lover of all life forms since day one. So far, I believe I’m succeeding. She’ll report to me if she sees kids purposely stepping on ants. She’s told off any number of class mates for poking the chickens in the school playground (this is Nairobi, remember) with sticks. She isn’t afraid of any insects apart from daddy long-legs and picks up everything from worms and spiders to moths and beetles. In fact, I caught her cuddling and – eek – kissing a worm before. We’re vegetarians, of course, and since she was old enough to talk she’s been declaring “We don’t eat meat. We be nice to animals!” But living in Kenya with Cameron has brought her appreciation of creatures big and small to a new level, enabling close encounters with everything from echinoderms to ungulates.  Read more...

What we’re reading today:

Former Price is Right host Bob Barker wants all the elephants out of Canada. “Canada is no place for elephants. It’s too far north. If we can get all of the elephants out of Canada, they’re gonna be much happier,” he said. He specifically wants Lucy from the Edmonton Valley Zoo moved to California, but when asked, he said that moving the Toronto Zoo’s three elephants would be a “step in the right direction.” Via Toronto Star

Why can’t one-hit-wonders just collect their royalties and be happy drifting into obscurity? No, Billy Ray Cyrus had a talented daughter who needed to be known. OK, that’s way unfair. Sorry Billy Ray. In next month’s issue of GQ, Cyrus opens up about his divorce and not knowing the right way to guide his daughter. With Miley’s various scandals, he seems to have to swoop in and take the heat off his daughter. It’s too much and it’s all Hannah Montana‘s fault.  Read more...

Our travel blogger Corinne shares three wildly different family holiday ideas

Corinne and crew

Every December 26, we say the same thing: “Next year, we’re going away!” Of course, now that the holidays are looming, we’ve not yet made any plans. But there is still time to escape, with the next question being, “Where the heck are we going to go?”

Here are three ideas, ranging from the budget-conscious and totally doable to the crazy-expensive-and-totally-wild-but-fun-to-dream-about-and-maybe actually-do-one-day.

Up North

If you can’t stand the thought of cooking the turkey but perish the idea of a hot and sandy festive season, hop in the car and in less than two hours later you’ll be in a magical winter wonderland, where meals are provided without extended family drama (unless, of course, you invite them along). Enter the Fern.  Read more...