Where The Hell Is Tora?

Look at that gorgeous volcanic rock!

My love of both volcanoes and chinchillas started as a child.  When Mount St. Helens exploded, I stole my mom’s car and drove there, just to watch the ash float through the sky.  I was only 8.   That trip also led to my love of chinchillas – In search of a travel companion I stopped by a pet store and stole a chinchilla, Mrs. Snaggletooth was her name. 

Upon arriving at Mount St. Helens, I was consumed by watching ash fall around me… it was like a rainfall of smoke precipitating after being barfed from the mouth of the earth.   My chinchilla, Mrs. Snaggletooth, also enjoyed the ash, but in a different way.  Mrs. Snaggletooth loved to use the fallen ash as a dust bath. 

Years later, Mrs.Snaggletooth is no longer with me, but I am now the proud father of her 26 great grandchildren.  Mrs. Snaggletooth loved fresh volcanic ash, and passed this loved town to her descendants.  All 26 great-grandchildren of Mrs.Snaggletooth refuse to take dust baths in anything except fresh volcanic ash.

Here I am ‘working from home’ on the side of a volcano, which is just starting to sprinkle down flakes of joy for me to carry home to Mrs.Snaggletooth’s beloved descendants. I miss you Mrs.Snaggletooth – I hope that there are lots of volcanoes in chinchilla heaven!