← Home Replies About Essays Photos Podcasts Archive On This Day Also on Micro.blog
  • I don’t remember who suggested this last year, as an alternative to Instagram’s top liked photos.

    Here’s my 2020 Fave Eight.

    Eight 2020 photos, incl. me in Fla., at the Doctor Who con, with my nephew in the backyard, guinea pig birthday and more.

    → 10:43 AM, Jan 5
  • Last Christmas treats and cuddles with Grace. We hope everyone had a nice holiday. 🥬🥂🍰

    Guinea pig eating lettuce in a cuddle cup

    → 9:26 PM, Dec 25
  • God Rest Ye, Merry Guinea Pigs (2015) #tbt

    → 8:24 PM, Dec 24
  • Merry Christmas/Eve, Micro.blog. 🎄🥂 🌟

    wheek wheek wheek (insert guinea pig here 😏)

    → 11:14 AM, Dec 24
  • I made the mistake yesterday of doing one more chore (guinea pig cage refresh, disproportionately strenuous to pet size) and tweaked my back. I’ve been laid up with my heating pad and that’s just depressing.

    Then I open Micro.blog, and it made me happy. I’m grateful for this.

    → 4:49 PM, Dec 15
  • The elusive guinea turtle pokes it head out of its shell, hoping for a treat.

    Grace in her pigloo, with just her head sticking out.

    → 8:35 AM, Dec 4
  • We got a new book! Well, it’s mostly for me. Grace is a big Tribble fan, and sadly, there are no Tribbles in Star Trek: Voyager. I had to bribe her with parsley to do this photo.

    Grace the guinea pig with the new Star Trek Voyager compendium

    → 10:37 AM, Dec 2
  • For completionist sake, I’m circling back to Day 4 of Microblogvember, near. It was the day I lost my little guinea pig, Ada, so near and dear to my heart, and I couldn’t bring myself to post about anything. 😢

    Selfie with Ada

    → 8:23 PM, Nov 30
  • Random unordered items arrive in my Instacart order. This combination of ingredients is so strange, I worry if it’s a secret message, perhaps a call for help?

    Meanwhile they forgot the parsley, which I order every time. The essential guinea pig treat.😫

    two large jars of mayonnaise, tortillas and dates

    → 7:51 AM, Nov 29
  • My dilemma is that guinea pigs are social animals who should have a friend or at least a frenemy, but I’m not sure I want to get another after having lost my pretty princess Ada. Grace and I are getting to know one another better, now that our sassy extroverted one is gone.

    guinea pig in a pigloo with a huge pile of lettuce

    → 11:58 PM, Nov 27
  • One of my nicknames for Grace is “sweet pea” which is short for “sweet potato.”

    Happy thanksgiving! Enjoy your sweet things. 🧡

    Sweet potato imitating a rotund orange guinea pig

    → 12:32 PM, Nov 26
  • You know how Snoopy makes toast and popcorn for Thanksgiving dinner? At my house, it’s pie and lettuce. The lettuce is a feast for Grace the guinea pig. The mini pie is all for me. The big pie will be shared, though not with Grace (who would choose lettuce over pie any day).

    Bakery pie box, mini pumpkin pie and a container of lettuce

    → 3:50 PM, Nov 25
  • The intrepid guinea pig captures its parsley prey.

    → 10:24 PM, Nov 23
  • Guinea pig humor.

    → 8:12 PM, Nov 23
  • I forced Grace on the scale today. I want to keep track so I avoid unintentionally overfeeding her or spoiling her with too many treats.

    Large orange guinea pig on kitcen scale. No one likes being weighed.

    → 4:50 PM, Nov 9
  • New emojis on iOS. 😑 One of my big disappointments this year is the rejection of my proposal for a guinea pig emoji.

    proposed guinea pig emoji

    → 12:26 PM, Nov 5
  • When I got up this morning, I discovered that my little guinea pig Ada had passed away overnight. Respiratory infections are very hard on these little creatures. She was 6 years old, pretty good for a gp.

    So I’m not up to being on online today, which is a blessing I think.

    → 1:54 PM, Nov 4
  • No surgery for Ada today. After they put her under, they couldn’t intubate her because she’s got a respiratory infection. So she needs a course of antibiotics first.

    They sent her home, packed in hay for warmth. Dispensing oral meds and eye drops, I’m going to be unpopular.

    → 2:59 PM, Oct 30
  • Ada has surgery on Friday morning for the lump on her shoulder. The vet’s office just called to remind me no veggie treats for two days before. That’s 48 hours of shrieking deprived guinea pigs I have to endure. 😱

    two hungry guinea pigs

    → 11:23 AM, Oct 28
  • Manton will cover community management duties for me. And my neighbor will cover my guinea pig concierge responsibilities. 🙂

    Have a nice weekend!

    → 8:33 AM, Oct 24
  • Checking out my On This Day page and it’s my guinea pigs, four years younger. They are now almost six years old. Click the link if you need a dose of cuteness.

    → 9:58 AM, Sep 18
  • For Day 21, a cavy cucumber crunchfest. You really need to see/hear the video to appreciate it.

    Two guinea pigs eating cucumber

    → 4:12 PM, Aug 21
  • Cuddly. (Day 17 of the Micro.blog August Photoblogging Challenge) #mbaug

    Cuddle cup full of guinea pigs.

    two guinea pigs in a plush bed that is meant for one.

    → 10:14 AM, Aug 17
  • Me: Oooh, big package just dropped off. Maybe a very belated birthday gift? 🎁

    :: opens it up ::

    Me: Oh right, I ordered this.

    Grace and Ada: Thank you for not running out of essentials. 🧻

    Carefresh cage bedding for the guinea pigs, aka GP toilet paper

    → 11:20 AM, Jun 30
  • When I first joined an online guinea pig community in 1997, we called ourselves “guinea pig slaves,” a joke about our demanding pets.

    It was the protest against the tshirts worn by the cast of Suffragette that opened my eyes.

    Now I’m a guinea pig concierge.

    → 6:11 PM, Jun 16
  • I just ordered pea flakes for Grace and Ada from GuineaDad. This site and the YouTube channel bring me much guinea pig info and joy. You will be amazed at his guinea pig architecture skills, too.

    → 12:56 PM, Jun 3
  • An short exerpt from the failed guinea pig playpen video this weekend. I tried setting up a little tripod to catch them at their eye level. It wasn’t long before Grace inadvertently shoved Ada out of the frame.

    → 10:52 AM, May 18
  • Day 7 of Micro.blog May Photo Challenge Sprint.

    This is the best I can do for violet while self-isolating. (No guinea pigs were harmed in the making of this image.)

    🤷‍♀️ 🌈📷

    → 12:38 PM, May 17
  • I would love to take the guinea pigs out to lunch today. But it’s a little damp and the temperature isn’t going to break 70F.

    → 12:39 PM, Apr 26
  • And check it out…

    **Micro Meetup next Thurs. (Apr. 30), 5 pm - 6 pm PDT. **

    @cheesemaker and I will be holding a virtual happy hour. Everyone is invited to be a guinea pig at what we intend to be a regular event.

    Mark your calendars. Plan your backdrops. Details to come.

    → 1:37 PM, Apr 24
  • I knew it was a longshot, but I am sad that the Unicode Consortium rejected the guinea pig emoji proposal.

    They probably won’t consider a crying guinea pig emoji either. That’s what I’d use here. 😭😿

    (But I’m never using 🐹 for guinea pig!)

    → 4:34 PM, Apr 13
  • Why should bunnies have all the fun? Happy Easter!

    → 9:09 AM, Apr 12
  • More guinea pig cuteness. The instinct to stay in the cuddle cup is overridden by the instinct to eat fresh grass.

    → 7:31 PM, Apr 9
  • Today I’m thankful for my pals on The Incomparable Network. We had a lively chat today to wrap up Picard. A podcast a day keeps the blues away.

    I look forward to another quiet night alone with the guinea girls.

    → 5:49 PM, Mar 28
  • Some people think this emoji:

    🐹

    could represent a guinea pig.

    Never ever confuse hamsters and guinea pigs. That’s a common but serious faux paw.

    → 4:52 PM, Mar 27
  • I have been meaning to write up the process of submitting a guinea pig emoji to the Unicode Consortium for a few weeks now, but I’ve been distracted. 🤷‍♀️

    I thought you all would enjoy seeing the proposed design too, by Neven Mrgan. I really hope it gets accepted!

    → 4:26 PM, Mar 27
  • Submitting a Guinea Pig Emoji Proposal

    On March 4, 2020, I submitted a proposal for a guinea pig emoji to the The Unicode Consortium, the folks who decide these things. My guinea pigs are five-and-a-half years old, and I always wanted to have an emoji to represent them. There is a rabbit (🐇), a rat (🐀), and a mouse (🐁). There is even a hamster face (🐹), which some suggested would be usable as a guinea pig. *

    Update (4/13/2020): The emoji was rejected. The committee felt that there wasn’t enough evidence that a guinea pig emoji was needed.

    You can see that The Unicode Consortium’s emoji proposal request page has been updated, with the Guinea Pig marked “New” instead of “No proposal form.”

    Like many guinea pig enthusiasts, I’ve always complained that there was no emoji representing our favorite rodent. I was inspired to stop complaining and work on a proposal when I saw Jennifer 8. Lee of Emojination give a talk titled “How I Became An Emoji Activist” at the 2018 XOXO conference. From Jennifer I learned that there was a process to getting a new emoji accepted. It requires some research and writing. My friend Heidi Helen Pilypas also inspired me with her successful proposal for a bell pepper/capsicum emoji.

    The Unicode Consortium has a very specific template for emoji proposals. (Emojination has an annotated template that can be very helpful.) Besides building a case for why a new emoji is needed, you have to do research on the relative popularity of the proposed emoji item via Google and Bing searches.

    You also can make the case that the proposed emojii can represent multiple meanings. Guinea pigs are synonymous with laboratory test animals; human test subjects are referred to as guinea pigs; and guinea pigs are also a popular meal in some parts of the world. (Researching that last bit was hard on me 😱, but I knew it was important to be complete and as objective as possible for the proposal.)

    You also need to submit a proposed design. I was very lucky that Neven Mrgan, designer at Panic, has also owned guinea pigs and offered to design the sample. His guinea pig emoji so good, I want to start using it right now! But the earliest it’s likely to appear would be spring 2021, and it might not even be accepted. I would be disappointed, but I will still be very happy that I got this proposal together and submitted it for consideration.

    • Listen to the Clockwise podcast episode Guinea Pig Hate Mail, where I discuss the hamster problem with Jeremy Burge of Emojipedia.
    → 4:17 PM, Mar 27
  • I have more time to invent toys for the guinea pigs. 😇

    → 12:59 PM, Mar 27
  • I am thankful to have a cozy home with two guinea pigs for company.

    I am looking forward to watching the latest season of Vera tonight. (I’m treating myself to a month of BritBox.)

    → 5:46 PM, Mar 26
  • Ada and I are in the new Cats & Netflix 2020 music video by The Doubleclicks!

    The original was about being stuck inside in Portland during the rainy season. The new one features a guinea pig and a cat teleconferencing. (That’s Bandit and Erin on the other end.) 🤣

    → 1:42 PM, Mar 25
  • Here’s a fun thing to do: The Doubleclicks are updating their “Cats and Netflix” song and making a new video to go along with it. This one will be feature user videos of folks with their cats or otherwise self-isolating.

    I’m sneaking guinea pigs into my submission.

    → 7:13 PM, Mar 21
  • The memo on plague survival has not reached the guinea pigs. They have been playing around with their water bottle today, and I’m going to have to add fresh bedding.

    → 6:43 PM, Mar 17
  • Today I am thankful for all my pals online, for commiseration, support, and entertainment. I look forward to another quiet night home alone with Grace and Ada. (I haven’t hoarded guinea pig treats, but I am well-stocked!)

    → 5:24 PM, Mar 15
  • Today I’m thankful for the new gas fireplace. It snowed today, a surprise for mid-March in Portland. The coziness is a welcome comfort.

    I’m looking forward to another quiet night at home alone with guinea pigs.

    → 6:56 PM, Mar 14
  • Today I am thankful to be back home in Portland with my guinea girls. I’m looking forward to a day of rest with a little work sprinkled in.

    → 9:59 AM, Feb 25
  • Day 20 of the Micro.blog February Photoblogging Challenge: “scale.” My rodent of unusual size. ❤️

    (Day 21 prompt reminder: “progress.”)

    #mbfeb 📷⚖️

    → 12:55 PM, Feb 20
  • New thing I learned while researching my proposal for a guinea pig emoji: rabbits are not rodents. They are lagomorphs., an order that includes rabbits, hares, and pikas. 🐰🐇

    → 12:18 PM, Feb 19
  • I’ve found it hard to concentrate on anything besides Doctor Who today. So I’m pulling one from the archives for Day 15’s prompt “balance.”

    This is Rosie, my previous guinea pig, balanced on my shoulders. #mbfeb 📷

    → 10:02 PM, Feb 15
  • Today I am thankful for the opening of the Green Zebra market only a block from my house—and they stock the Italian parsley that my guinea girls love.

    I’m looking forward to hanging out at my sister’s house for dinner and family TV night, Survivor premiering. 🏝

    → 4:43 PM, Feb 12
  • Tonight’s soothing guinea pig munching sounds are brought to you by cucumber. Lo l P

    → 10:04 PM, Feb 10
  • New brain teaser for Grace and Ada: lettuce hidden under paper cups. It took them a while to figure it out, though they clearly sensed something desirable was under there.

    → 3:14 PM, Feb 7
  • Micro.blog February Photoblogging Challenge Day 6: “plant.” #mbfeb

    (You were expecting another guinea pig, perhaps?)

    → 2:11 PM, Feb 6
  • Need something to help you chill out? The sound of guinea pigs munching on wheat grass is very soothing.

    → 9:40 PM, Feb 5
  • The chimney work has begun. The end result will be a shorter, rebuilt chimney and a gas fireplace.

    (The guinea pigs need their own noise-cancelling headphones. They are a bit freaked out by all the commotion.)

    → 12:13 PM, Feb 3
  • “Optimistic and energetic, people born in the Rat year are likable by all. They are sensitive to other’s emotions but are stubborn with their opinion.”

    I forgot to wish my fellow Rats a happy new year! I find rodents generally to be optimistic, energetic—and stubborn.

    → 10:27 AM, Feb 3
  • February photoblogging challenge Day 2: Sight

    I love the sight of guinea pigs finding new treats. Their first arugula. #mbfeb

    → 12:12 PM, Feb 2
  • Today I am thankful that I’m doing the gratitude practice, even if I miss a day. I’m looking forward to having friends over tonight for guinea pig happy hour, i.e. radicchio fest with guests and drinks.

    → 9:34 AM, Jan 17
  • During guinea pig playtime, Grace got herself into a narrow paper bag and couldn’t get out. I really didn’t think she’d be brave enough to explore it. I had to rip the bag open, she’s traumatized, and Ada ate all the lettuce. Bad guinea pig mom!

    → 10:27 PM, Jan 15
  • Today, a few of my friends are having an especially rough day, and I assume there are others I don’t know about. I am holding a thought for you, with good wishes for better days ahead, and also I can offer emergency guinea pigs.

    → 3:22 PM, Jan 15
  • Today I am thankful for a cozy house on a cold, rainy Portland day. I am looking forward to guinea pig cuddles, even though I have to bribe them with wheat grass.

    → 6:31 PM, Jan 12
  • I decided to come back Flickr Pro. (I hope it can fulfill my need for guinea pig and other pet photos. And people, of course.) Follow me there so I can follow you back.

    → 4:52 PM, Dec 26
  • My first year off Instagram, so I assembled my own little retrospective. It is hard to narrow it down! (My Instagram faves, determined by votes, were 90% guinea pig pics anyway.)

    → 4:45 PM, Dec 26
  • My Favorite Eight photos - 2019

    My guinea pigs Ada and Grace

    Jean and guinea pigs

    Littlest nephew for a sleepover

    nephew cozy in bed

    Old friends Jean, Rosie, Peggy

    Jean, Rosie, Peggy at party

    Sonoma sunset

    Sunset over vineyards

    MacDonald in Miami

    Siblings and dad in the pool

    Lekcije slovenščine

    Slovenian flash cards

    Post-knee injury podcast rig

    Jean podcasts from bed

    Nieces and nephs

    beautiful young clan members

    Hand-picked—no algorithm needed

    Favorite Eight title card

    → 4:36 PM, Dec 26
  • Why has no one ever told me about this??? Wendleton Guinea Pig Village in New Zealand..

    brb, making plane reservations…

    → 9:42 PM, Dec 22
  • Video: the making of the 2019 Christmas tableau with guinea pigs. This is one I could put a dialog track to, the way it looks like they are having a conversation. (But I know myself too well, and would spend way too much time on such a project.)

    → 10:17 AM, Dec 18
  • Christmas tableau with guinea pigs. Or, 2019: the year they discover the romanesco broccoli trees are edible. (This is not great, because cruciferous veggies are not great for guinea pigs.)

    → 8:07 AM, Dec 18
  • Micro.blog meetup with @Burk, @Alcedine and @guineapigs Ada and Grace. Radicchio fest!

    → 8:28 AM, Dec 17
  • Five years ago today. These two critters fit into one pigloo with room to spare. I had gone two years without a dog, and didn’t want to get another one. So I finally decided to get guinea pigs. Per ounce, they are the most lovable and entertaining companions I’ve ever had.

    → 12:55 AM, Dec 15
  • TGIF.

    (This pedicure spa serves fresh radicchio.)

    → 9:34 PM, Dec 6
  • Impending radicchio fest for the guinea pigs.

    → 9:56 PM, Dec 2
  • I learned to love Feldsalat (aka mâche or lamb’s lettuce), when I was an exchange student in Germany. I like to treat myself to this pricey winter green very occasionally.

    I feel guilty not sharing with the guinea pigs, but they could slurp down $10 worth in 20 mins.

    → 11:38 AM, Dec 1
  • Thank you @fiona! Between the YouTube RSS feed and the three-finger swipe, you are my Tip Hero for 2019. 😃

    PS. Everyone should subscribe to Little Adventures for guinea pig squees.

    → 4:18 PM, Nov 30
  • For Throwback Thursday, I unearthed another photo of my first guinea pig, GP, held by my sister Judy, with sister Peggy and cousin Brian alongside.

    GP was a fluffy Abyssinian. In my mind, GP and Ada are nearly identical. But from the old photos, I see GP was mostly white.

    → 1:50 PM, Nov 21
  • It’s a law in Switzerland that you must have a second guinea pig. Solo piggies are deprived of the interaction they need as social animals. Even if they like to annoy one another, it counts as socializing. #mbnov

    → 11:22 AM, Nov 20
  • I believe that Grace has been moonlighting as a plus-size guinea pig model.

    → 1:25 PM, Nov 13
  • I invented a new guinea pig treat today: lettucicles. They’re easy to make: place a bag of lettuce into the freezer by mistake. ❄️🥬🤦‍♀️

    → 3:15 PM, Nov 12
  • My star guinea pig, Ada. She is brave and seeks The Truth about whether it’s time for treats.

    → 8:59 PM, Nov 8
  • My scaredy-pig. Grace finds the world frightening. She is convinced that every time I approach her, I’m planning to eat her.

    She’s also afraid she won’t get her share of all the treats. So she’s often frozen by competing instincts.

    → 12:33 PM, Nov 7
  • Cuddling in the new Cuddle Cups.

    → 9:52 PM, Nov 6
  • No Micro Monday podcast today. Sorry! Grace is not having the best day either…

    guinea pig nail trim

    → 4:52 PM, Oct 28
  • Still finding gems from last spring’s family home declutter: my sister Peg with my original guinea pig, the creatively-named GP. #tbt #wheek

    → 3:12 PM, Oct 17
  • One of my nephew’s hamsters. 🐹

    It was quite tame and adorable, but oh so tiny! I like a more substantial rodent pet.

    (Insert guinea pig emoji here.)

    → 4:23 PM, Oct 1
  • I was reminded by Micro.blogger @philroy that today is the anniversary of the 1991 release of Nevermind by Nirvana, which made me want to share this awesome artwork from Piggie Parodies.

    → 6:09 PM, Sep 24
  • True friends = people who will watch a 15-minute guinea pig video on YouTube with you and do a plausible impression of actually enjoying it, e.g. @aleen and @violetpixel.

    → 9:55 PM, Sep 8
  • “Well I know I had it comin’
    I know I can’t be free…”🎵

    → 1:26 PM, Sep 7
  • It’s been a while since I posted a guinea pig photo. Grace and Ada had a radicchio fest with @aleen and @violetpixel, who snapped this pic.

    → 3:57 PM, Sep 5
  • It’s Day 8 of the convalescent’s photoblogging challenge, the theme is happiness. Coincidentally it’s also the day I was reunited with my guinea pigs. 🥰

    → 9:48 AM, Aug 12
  • I enjoyed this whole interview with the creator of Fleabag, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, but skip ahead to 4:23 if you want to see the guinea pig headshots she received when casting for the true star of the show. #wheek

    → 6:08 AM, Jul 31
  • Grace and Ada are on their way to the guinea pig rescue’ boarding service. My best friend is coming from NYC to take care of me for a week. She’s not really a rodent fan. It will be easier for both of us to hand them off to the professionals.

    I will still miss them!

    → 11:20 AM, Jul 30
  • FaceTime with the morski prašički. Grace came out to say “hello.” (Actually, my father took the pigloos out of the cage so Grace couldn’t hide.) They seemed to respond to me singing their favorite song, “Who Wants Parsley?” (sung to the tune of Frere Jacques) 🇸🇮🐹

    → 1:12 PM, Jul 9
  • FaceTime with Grace and Ada. Well, mostly Ada because Grace is a big scaredy-pig who hates technology.

    FaceTime screenshot with Ada the guinea pig

    → 10:53 AM, Jul 1
  • Training the parental units in the art of the guinea pig radicchio fest.

    feeding guinea pigs

    → 8:56 PM, Jun 22
  • If you haven’t met Paco and Coco, the guinea pigs from Down Under…, check out @martinfeld’s video.

    → 4:35 PM, Jun 22
  • And Friday got even better with Flock Friday from @dejus. The ducklings are just adorable and are reminding me of the guinea pigs with their big-eyes stares and focus on treats. Follow David and @yellowcottage to experience homesteading vicariously!

    → 12:45 PM, Jun 21
  • I organized a spelling bee competition for The Incomparable Network, which was a blast. Antony Johnston, Dan Moren, Monty Ashley, Steve Lutz and Quinn Rose were great sports to be guinea pigs–I mean contestants. 🐝🐝🐝🐝🐝

    → 10:54 AM, Jun 19
  • It’s been a while since Grace and Ada have had a proper radicchio fest. 🥬🎉

    guinea pigs and radicchio snack

    → 10:10 PM, Jun 16
  • A cuddle cup full of guinea piggies for your Saturday evening enjoyment.

    → 7:43 PM, May 18
  • If you need a smile today, here is a mega-adorable YouTube video of a golden retriever and a guinea pig who are totally best friends.

    → 3:24 PM, May 17
  • Emergency guinea pig Ada is checking on how you’re doing, @miraz and Sasha.

    → 7:08 AM, May 14
  • Last week’s Micro Monday episode featured @bsag, a specialist in animal intelligence. I restrained myself from talking about guinea pigs. But here’s exclusive raw aftershow audio, all about our pets…

    → 9:18 PM, Apr 20
  • First Micro.blog video for me!

    Second guinea pig video on Micro.blog. @martinfeld was first.

    → 3:59 PM, Apr 18
  • Writing the latest “friendsletter” for folks who want to keep up with me as I divest social media presences.

    Feel free to sign up for nephew and guinea pig photos, or just to test out Buttondown Email, which I am really liking!

    → 12:23 PM, Apr 9
  • I apologize for the lack of guinea pig updates lately. Here’s our latest homemade toy: tunnel of treats, with cucumber and parsley inside, which overcomes their neophobic instincts.

    → 7:46 AM, Apr 9
  • If I get back to Australia, I would seriously plan a trip to Wollongong so I could see guinea pigs Paco and Coco hang out with budgies Rogue and Rio at @martinfeld’s home menagerie.

    → 2:57 PM, Mar 18
  • Sorry for the late post of this week’s Micro Monday episode! It’s already Micro Tuesday where this week’s guest lives. I hope you enjoy listening to @martinfeld from Wollongong talk about microblogging with me.

    (We also talk about guinea pigs, of course.)

    → 2:54 PM, Mar 18
  • Parsley curation is an important part of the guinea pig concierge job description.

    There are 3 piles: large stems to be trimmed and put in a glass with water for later, wilted stems to be composted, and random small sprigs for immediate treats.

    My clients are demanding.

    mp-photo-alt[]=

    → 11:26 AM, Mar 7
  • This is Poppy. She was my loaner dog this weekend. She is one of two chihuahuas that changed my mind about chihuahuas. She is a total love bug who likes to snuggle up close. Her other advantage is being too short to get near the guinea pig cage.

    → 1:00 PM, Mar 3
  • I clicked “Delete” on my Facebook account. @aleen is here to witness and help celebrate.

    I’m working on my first “friendsletter” now. If you are already following me on Micro.blog, no need to sign up. You’ll get guinea pig photos here too.

    (photo credit: Aleen Simms)

    → 2:59 PM, Feb 22
  • Extreme guinea pig close-up, post/radicchio fest.

    → 12:35 AM, Feb 19
  • I can’t bring myself to say Happy Valentines Day, due to cynicism about the commercialism, but here are two cute guinea pigs in a cuddle cup for your viewing pleasure. 💘

    → 8:52 AM, Feb 14
  • Grace and Ada are afraid of their new fleece cage liner from GuineaDad. The level of their fear can be measured by how long these two frenemies have huddled together inside one pigloo. (45 minutes) Hashtag: neophobia.

    → 5:57 PM, Feb 13
  • I’m not sure I needed to get a week’s worth of supplies for me and the guinea pigs yesterday, but if I hadn’t, we would have no doubt gotten tons of snow. So you’re welcome, Portland.

    → 1:00 PM, Feb 9
  • During Snowpocalypse 2017, I ran out of guinea pig pellets. So I was motivated to make sure there is an ample supply of everything for the critters.

    → 8:20 PM, Feb 8
  • For @Gabz, an emergency guinea pig.

    → 11:04 PM, Jan 29
  • On this day: Ada And Grace

    An extra large dose of guinea pigs I posted a year ago today to test out new Sunlit app features.

    → 6:08 PM, Jan 23
  • Extreme guinea pig closeup: Grace.

    → 2:00 PM, Jan 8
  • Radicchio snack break watching @mentour_pilot discuss maximum aircraft speeds. I told Grace and Ada they don’t have to worry about air disasters because guinea pigs are not allowed on commercial flights.

    → 9:51 PM, Jan 4
  • My Word for 2019

    I used to engage in the practice of choosing three words for the New Year instead of making resolutions, which was popularized by Chris Brogan, a writer whose work has inspired me since I saw him at SXSW 2010 speaking about Trust Agents.

    Then my friends Pace and Kyeli suggested trimming this down to choosing just one word for the year. And that felt good to me. I was getting a bit obsessive about picking three words, and one year I could only come up with two.

    This year, I decided I would pick my 2019 word on New Year’s Day. When I woke up this morning, the word “grace” came to me.

    I have certainly benefited from “unmerited divine assistance given to humans for their regeneration or sanctification” (Webster). I consider myself fortunate to be here for another New Year’s Day. 2019 will be a big, challenging year; regeneration and sanctification are on the agenda.

    The word as a name works for me, too. There are several people named Grace who inspire me. And, of course, I have a constant reminder to stop and remember my word for this year.

    All my best wishes to you for 2019. Let me know how you get inspired.

    → 9:55 AM, Jan 1
  • I’m working on a “goodbye, Facebook” blog post and strategy. One of the things I will miss the most there is the guinea pig group (Potatoes With Legs). Most of my feed now is guinea pig photos. But I’m happy there are at least 3 g.p. people here: @endonend @dan_hill @martinfeld

    → 3:24 PM, Dec 27
  • A nice photo from @dan_hill that illustrates why guinea pigs are lovingly referred to as potatoes with legs.

    → 6:30 AM, Dec 26
  • Who is using buttondown.email? I’m getting ready to break off of Facebook/Instagram and Twitter, and I will give people the option of getting a collection of blog posts and (guinea pig) photos via email or RSS. I’d like to see some other Buttondown email examples!

    → 10:58 AM, Dec 20
  • “Mom! She’s doing it again. Why can’t she stay in her own cuddle cup?” Radicchio fest ends predictably.

    → 10:19 PM, Dec 12
  • Not pictured: uncooperative guinea pig patient.

    → 4:50 PM, Nov 29
  • On my way to pick up my grumpy guinea pig Ada who is out of surgery and doing fine. I think Grace has actually been lonely today. I know I’ve been very distracted waiting for the 👍from the vet.

    → 4:44 PM, Nov 28
  • “Hooman, we felt a disturbance in the fridge. It’s as if there were a head of radicchio and a whole cucumber crying out. Those are the treats we are looking for.” - typical Jedi guinea pig mind trick cc: @alans @EddieHinkle

    → 4:05 PM, Nov 24
  • Not too enthusiastic about our annual checkup. Even though Dr. Mark Burgess is the best guinea pig vet.

    → 3:30 PM, Nov 19
  • Grace tried to discourage Ada, but Ada is determined to squeeze into Grace’s cuddle cup. I still don’t know why Ada does this! #guineapigs

    → 9:09 PM, Nov 9
  • Because they are so cute, and because I spent way more time on this year’s Cavy Halloween Tableau than I intended, here’s one more shot of my Hogwarts guinea pig witches. 🎃

    → 10:17 PM, Oct 31
  • Emergency guinea pigs.

    → 12:43 PM, Sep 27
  • For @dan_hill, my Grace and Ada. I started a little podcast @guineapigs, and also have videos at guineapig.pet.

    @endoend’s girls adopted two earlier this year, but sadly, one of them died. It’s the worst thing about pets, and especially these vulnerable little critters.

    → 9:43 PM, Sep 24
  • I ordered a plush guinea pig, but it is not anatomically correct, and it is totally weirding me out. Guinea pig people will notice immediately, but does anyone else know what’s wrong?

    → 8:10 PM, Sep 16
  • Emergency guinea pig photo for @smokey: Ada, bearing up under the indignity of guinea pig “spa” day.

    → 10:51 PM, Sep 5
  • Grace got a bit of attention from the guinea pig rescue staff for her vocal resistance to getting a mani-pedi today. twitter.com/Pdxguinea…

    → 2:12 PM, Aug 26
  • A united front of resistance on guinea pig spa day. We are overdue for nail trims, professionally done by the kind volunteers of @pdxguineapigs!

    → 11:39 AM, Aug 26
  • If you like dogs AND guinea pigs, you might like a lovely Instagram account piggiesandapitty that I am a fan of.

    → 10:45 PM, Aug 20
  • I’ve posted the latest Micro @monday Microcast. It was a fun episode for me, because @collin and I share a love for dogs and guinea pigs, but we do manage to talk about what’s happening in social media. (And how pets can make it better!)

    → 1:41 PM, Aug 20
  • For @DazeEnd. (Oh, the indignity of having to be weighed…but it’s necessary when you are almost 2x the normal pet guinea pig size.)

    → 8:27 PM, Aug 15
  • A new episode of the @JonCast is out. My 5-year-old nephew and I squeal with delight over the new Guinea Pig Bridge game for iOS and Android. jonathanmacdonald.me/2018/08/1…

    → 10:40 AM, Aug 14
  • It had to happen. Guinea Pig Bridge, the best guinea pig video on YouTube, is now an adorable game for iOS and Android.

    → 8:54 AM, Aug 12
  • Back in Portland, and straightening out my podcast posting mixup from earlier. I apologize to the followers of @guineapigs. The special Micro Monday with @verso and me at Chicago-O’Hare is now where it belongs: monday.micro.blog/2018/07/2…

    → 8:18 PM, Jul 23
  • I posted an extra edition of Micro Monday Microcast, recorded with @verso at the airport, but accidentally uploaded it to the Guinea Pig Wheekly feed through Wavelength. guineapigs.micro.blog/2018/07/2…

    → 12:31 PM, Jul 23
  • This week on the Micro @monday Microcast, I talk to @endonend, aka Jason Dettbarn. Spoiler: we do chat about his daughters’ adopted guinea pigs for a few minutes at the end. Give it a listen!

    → 5:24 AM, Jul 23
  • This sighting is about a mile from my house. Keeping the guinea pigs inside…as always.

    Cougar sighting in SE Portland neighborhood, people asked to keep small pets indoors

    → 9:49 PM, Jul 10
  • I’ve been remiss in posting guinea pig photos. #guineapigs

    → 3:07 PM, Jul 9
  • Ada enjoying some pets from her new favorite treat dispenser, I mean person, Dori. #guineapigs

    → 9:18 PM, Jun 25
  • My nieces Paige and Zion had fun recording Guinea Pig Wheekly with me. I had fun recording it on the iPhone and editing it with Wavelength while the guinea pigs finished up their lettuce treats. Listen to the latest episode.

    → 7:36 AM, Jun 20
  • Not sure what drama ensued overnight, but someone flipped their pigloo. #guineapigs

    → 6:26 AM, Jun 20
  • I might have gotten a bit strident about the lack of a guinea pig emoji. But it was fun chatting about WWDC with the founder of Emojipedia. Clockwise #245: Guinea Pig Hate Mail - Relay FM

    → 9:12 PM, Jun 13
  • Finished practicing for the James Dempsey and the Breakpoints show, and started playing the Buffy theme with full volume and pedal effects. The guinea pigs beat a hasty retreat to their pigloos.

    → 9:25 PM, Jun 1
  • WWDC Eve

    Manton: “Rolled out a series of performance improvements tonight for posting on Micro.blog-hosted sites. Had to work through a few unexpected glitches.”

    Me: “Returned library books. Picked up echinacea. Sorted the guinea pigs’ bedding.”

    → 6:04 PM, Jun 1
  • I figured out how to get work done while nephew wrangling: invite him to guest on all my podcasts, starting with Guinea Pig Wheekly. 😂❤️

    → 12:01 PM, May 31
  • I don’t know why, but every time, after their radicchio snack has been consumed, Ada crosses over into Grace’s territory and insists on getting into Grace’s cuddle cup. #guineapigs

    → 12:15 PM, May 28
  • My happy place. (When it’s not below 60 degrees and raining.) This is the Oregon I love. When it gets 5 degrees warmer, it will be time for guinea pig outdoor adventures with fresh grass.

    → 8:11 PM, May 2
  • WWCWF. (World Wide Cucumber Wrestling Federation.) #guineapigs

    → 12:18 PM, May 1
  • Who is enjoying microcasts? Which ones have you subscribed to? (Besides Guinea Pig Wheekly!) I’m building up my smart playlist in Overcast.

    → 5:09 AM, Apr 28
  • A new Guinea Pig Wheekly is out. I found myself overthinking what is suppose to be a little fun project, and finally just recorded it off the cuff. I have been trying to get good audio of Grace and Ada all week to no avail.

    → 6:50 PM, Apr 23
  • Grace and Ada say: “Have a Nice Wheekend!” #guineapigs

    → 11:00 AM, Apr 20
  • Doing a little doggie day care for my neighbors today. Poppy == 2 guinea pigs.

    → 2:32 PM, Apr 17
  • Great review of Wavelength by @mistercharlie on Cult of Mac. I admit that I love going totally minimal with no additional equipment for @guineapigs, but I have started eyeing nicer microphones to use with the iPhone. 🎙

    → 12:14 PM, Apr 13
  • Guinea Pig Wheekly: My first microcast with @wavelength! I did everything with the iPhone, including using Garage Band to make the intro/outro theme. No special microphone, though I’m eyeing some now! Follow @guineapigs for the latest microcasts plus photos. #wheek

    → 12:01 PM, Apr 12
  • Today’s Micro Monday microcast ran a teensy bit longer than planned because @kitt turned the tables and asked me a question about guinea pigs.

    → 7:51 AM, Apr 9
  • How to weigh a guinea pig. (Grace is twice the size of a standard pet guinea pig. She’s part cuy, bred for 🍽. 😱) #guineapig l

    → 1:02 PM, Apr 6
  • Guinea pig socks. Many thanks to my pal @cassifras47!

    → 8:28 PM, Mar 27
  • Grace and Ada get their nail trims and ear checks at @pdxguineapigs March Guinea Pig Spa event. (The look on their faces tell me that they wonder what the definition of “spa” is.)

    → 7:15 AM, Mar 26
  • Oops, I forgot that photos can’t go in a reply post, even if you try to trick the system by starting a new post. Anyway, the emergency guinea pigs you are looking for… cc: @collin

    → 8:24 PM, Mar 15
  • If you want to see the action version of guinea pigs running to get their vitamins as I sing the Spider-Man-inspired theme song, it’s now on YouTube.

    → 11:55 AM, Mar 6
  • Daily treat! Vitamin C tabs are like cookies to Grace and Ada. #guineapigs

    → 9:05 AM, Mar 6
  • The mosquito gets an emoji before the guinea pig. 🙍‍♀️ 157 New Emojis in the 2018 Emoji List (On the plus side, we nearly-elderly folks appreciate the addition of white hair for humans.)

    → 9:24 AM, Feb 10
  • The guinea pigs are jealous of all the doggies, and demand equal time plus treats.

    → 4:07 PM, Feb 8
  • The guinea pigs are jealous of all the doggies, and demand equal time plus treats.

    → 4:07 PM, Feb 8
  • There is already a petition for a Guinea Pig Emoji. I never sign stuff like this, as a rule, but how can I resist?

    → 9:15 AM, Feb 2
  • (If you noticed an upsurge in guinea pig photos, I’m testing the beta of the new photo blogging app Sunlit. WTG @manton and @cheesemaker. 📷)

    → 1:52 PM, Jan 23
  • Whenever I confine the piggies to one side of the cage while changing out their bedding, Ada stages a jailbreak. So far, she’s never been successful.

    → 6:19 PM, Jan 18
  • My first book recommendation with the new book emoji tag (thanks @manton!): Pride and Prejudice. I love this little book, which stays true to the text, except for the guinea pig part. 📚

    → 1:53 PM, Jan 9
  • Micro Monday: I recommend @modernlittleme, a designer who posts beautiful photos, interesting book recommendations, and dispatches from the exotic (to me) world of parenthood. She is apparently a hedgehog person, but appreciates guinea pigs. I’m glad I met her via Micro.blog.

    → 9:34 AM, Jan 8
  • “The @willametteweek #pdxpetpageant is going to the dogs, if we guinea pigs don’t get our humans to nominate us! As pacifist vegans, we are the most obvious the best pets in Portland!” - Ada & Grace #guineapig

    → 11:52 AM, Jan 7
  • Champagne and radicchio pairing for NYE. #guineapig #newyearseve

    → 12:45 AM, Jan 1
  • I thought this collection of #bestnine2017 would be mostly guinea pigs. But no! You liked me and @peggymacd at the Women’s March, the Mac sisters in Sisters, and my friend @negrino’s beloved Mac at his memorial service more than guinea pig photos! That is nice, actually. Happy New Year.

    → 1:45 PM, Dec 31
  • Snuggly end to Boxing Day. #guineapig

    → 10:30 PM, Dec 26
  • A gift to my littlest nephew. He’s still too young for social media (not a spoiler here), but never too young to be introduced to the classics! #guineapig

    → 2:23 PM, Dec 24
  • Top photo: how I imagined our holiday photo shoot (with GP salt & pepper shakers as stand-ins). Bottom: how it turned out with Grace and Ada. #christmascavycontest #guineapig

    → 8:06 PM, Dec 23
  • Top photo: how I imagined our holiday photo shoot (with GP salt & pepper shakers as stand-ins). Bottom: how it turned out with Grace and Ada. #christmascavycontest #guineapig

    → 8:06 PM, Dec 23
  • Merry Pigmas from Portland. #guineapig

    → 3:12 PM, Dec 23
  • Thanks for the nice “welcome back” notes. I realize that you all have been deprived of adorable guinea pig photos too! #wheek

    → 6:37 PM, Dec 2
  • Summertime🎵… and the livin’ is easy. Fresh grass for guinea pigs.

    → 7:13 PM, Jul 7
  • A visit from @maia_olson before App Camp next week. She needed some quality guinea pig time.

    → 4:25 PM, Jul 4
  • Somehow I made it through this entire podcast appeared without talking about guinea pigs: Random Trek: Trials and Tribble-ations

    → 7:25 AM, Jun 16
  • I’m going to see Wonder Woman today! (But it’s probably too scary for guinea pigs, so Ada stays home.)

    → 6:56 AM, Jun 2
  • So fun to talk to my friend @collindonnell on The Run Loop. We covered a lot of topics, but not guinea pigs. www.therunloop.com/6

    → 6:04 AM, Jun 1
  • Will cuddle for radicchio.

    → 7:57 PM, May 24
  • I am not adverse to bribing guinea pigs with radicchio for affection.

    → 7:37 PM, May 24
  • I dare you to resist the treat entreaties of these most adorable guinea pigs. #wheek

    → 11:00 AM, May 5
  • Random guinea pig photo for testing purposes. #microblog

    → 8:12 AM, Apr 30
  • Grace thinks she’s hiding. In her mind she’s a little 2 lb. pet, not a 4 lb. cuy mix (i.e. livestock piggies bred for bulk…) #wheek

    → 8:47 AM, Apr 29
  • I thought I heard a rat in the kitchen. Turned out one of the house rodents liberated herself. 😮

    → 2:13 PM, Apr 26
  • Grey offers Ada Lovebug an after-dinner cucumber.

    → 8:30 PM, Apr 19
  • Table flip (guinea pig version). Which is a problem because they can’t fit into one pigloo.

    → 8:00 AM, Apr 17
  • Hay delivery day! Hard to believe these little creatures will chow down 10 lbs of hay in 6 weeks. #guineapig

    → 7:40 PM, Mar 13
  • Sorry I was out sick and have been deficient in posting guinea pig pics. Rest assured that Ada and Grace did get all their usual treats. (Can’t ignore the little wheekers, no matter how ill I am.)

    → 11:56 AM, Feb 27
  • When Grace and Ada could fit in one pigloo with room to spare. #tbt #guineapigs #guineapigsofinstagram #meerschweinchen #cochondinde #cuteguineapigs #mylittlebabies

    → 12:14 AM, Jan 27
  • We went to Guinea Pig Spa Day for a nail trim. Thanks @pdxguineapigs Rescue folks! (Grace is wondering if we have the same definition of “spa.”)

    → 3:14 PM, Jan 22
  • Happy New Year’s Eve. Whether your tastes run to champagne and chocolate cake or radicchio and parsley, indulge! #guineapig #guineapigsofinstagram #champagne #happynewyearseve

    → 3:14 PM, Dec 31
  • Merry merry from Grace And Ada. #guineapig #wheek #guineapigsofinstagram

    → 12:25 PM, Dec 24
  • “Paging the guinea pig concierge. Emergency! The food bowl is EMPTY.”

    → 8:20 PM, Dec 22
  • Some folks have minions I have elves. (And guinea pigs.) Christmas cards or bust!

    → 6:54 PM, Dec 21
  • Radicchio drama. #guineapig

    → 3:55 PM, Nov 22
  • My first cosplay attempt ever. #guineapig #cosplay #wonderwoman

    → 2:22 PM, Oct 31
  • Halloween video shoot. Lettuce, parsley, cakes > Reese ‘a peanut butter cups. #iographer #guineapigs

    → 2:06 PM, Oct 31
  • I’m on the road. In place of our regularly scheduled guinea pigs… #sonomacounty #lizardsofinstagram

    → 2:25 PM, Oct 18
  • We had a few days quarantine so Ada could recover from a vet procedure. Reunited and it feels so good? Grace immediately monopolizes the two pigloos. Sigh. #guineapig

    → 3:46 PM, Oct 15
  • Greetings from the pigloo. #guineapig

    → 9:50 PM, Oct 9
  • During nail trimming at the vet’s, someone’s quick got nicked at the vet’s. Which means she gets all the radicchio she can eat. #guineapig #spoiled

    → 3:16 PM, Oct 7
  • Filing away last year’s guinea pigs. (j/k! Transportation to the vet for a checkup.)

    → 1:36 PM, Oct 7
  • Last chance for outdoor grass snack time. That’s my calf above them. Prey animals, Grace & Ada to scootch up under my legs in their enclosure. #guineapig (PS. If you like GPs and The Office, follow @dundermifflinpigcompany!)

    → 5:00 PM, Sep 15
  • It’s 88 degrees and dry: time for outdoor grass snack time. #guineapig #meerschweinchen #cochondinde #porcellinodindia

    → 5:25 PM, Jun 3
  • The job of the guinea pig concierge: separate out the acceptable sprigs of parsley from the dregs. #guineapig

    → 9:35 AM, Apr 23
  • Sonoma wildlife, cont’d: Lambs! At my sister’s friend’s place. They rival guinea pigs in cuteness.

    → 10:00 PM, Apr 15
  • Another guinea pig portrait, using Paper and the Pencil on my petite iPad Pro, this time with my complicated gp. #wheek #guineapig

    → 5:40 PM, Apr 9
  • If you are going to start drawing guinea pigs with your new iPad Pro and Pencil, start with the one who resembles a sweet potato. #guineapig #ipadpro #paper53 #wheek

    → 10:21 AM, Apr 2
  • First fresh grass of the season. A guinea pig gourmet treat. #guineapig #porcellinodindia #cochindinde #meerschweinchen #морскаясвинка #wheek

    → 5:10 PM, Mar 30
  • Grace and Ada wish you a Happy Easter weekend. #guineapig #meerschweinchen #porcellinodindia #cochindinde #морскаясвинка #wheek #easter

    → 3:17 PM, Mar 25
  • Ada can’t decide which is her best side: brown or orange? #guineapig #wheek #meerschweinchen #porcellinodindia #cochindinde #морскаясвинка

    → 3:31 PM, Mar 21
  • Grace and Ada: masters of the pigloo flip. (╯°□°)╯︵ ┻━┻ #guineapig #wheek

    → 8:39 AM, Mar 19
  • Using the flash to mess with Ada. And get that satanic guinea pig look. #guineapig #wheek

    → 4:37 PM, Mar 12
  • Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Grace, Ada, and me. Hope Santa brings you all the veggies on your list. #guineapigs #guineapig #wheek #cavies #cochondinde #meerschweinchen #morskayasvinka #морскаясвинка

    → 11:28 AM, Dec 23
  • In honor of my pal @redqueencoder’s birthday, I treated Grace and Ada to a radicchio birthday cake. #guineapig #wheek

    → 12:56 PM, Dec 4
  • Picking up supplies, and having a quick look at the little piggies. I remember when Grace & Ada could fit into one pigloo. #guineapig #wheek

    → 2:54 PM, Nov 12
  • Parsley tug-of-war. #guineapig #wheek

    → 11:55 AM, Nov 9
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