Ray, a drop of golden sun.

This dear fellow and two of his friends stopped by three times for a jaunt through our yard today. My mother promptly declared the triumvirate "too skinny," and rummaged for food to give them. I gave her a lecture about setting limits for her maternal instincts. She said she would get rid of the stale bread and potato skins, but I later saw her scattering them outside anyway.

Why oh Wyoming

It’s internship season. Many college students look at this as a time filled with anxiety, self-doubt, frustration, and fear and, oh, blinding anger at the Establishment. I’ve already spent countless hours researching companies, re-reading my resume and desperately searching for an updated HR contact to whom my cover letter should be addressed.

You’d think this was some marathon exercise that would end in my appointment as the CEO of a billion-dollar company. Alas, this is the process that we go through in order to secure an UNPAID INTERNSHIP. That’s right. Internships offer no guarantees; they may or may not be a learning experience, but almost certainly will not result in a pay check of any kind. It will, however, most likely result in headaches, humiliation and coffee runs at some point or another.

So I’m rebelling. I started thinking about what I really want to do, what kind of writing really compels, inspires and delights me. I concluded that these things are usually blogs. I am addicted to several blogs written by complete strangers, and I read them religiously. I have developed a tendency worry about the author’s personal struggles more than my own.

The hilariousness of applying for an “internship” with an independent blogger tickles my funny bone, because, well, let’s really consider what we’re asking…

The following is a hypothetical cover letter to the writer one of my newest infatuations, The Daily Coyote.

Dear Shreve Stockton

I have a proposition. I am a devoted reader of your blog and would be thrilled to intern with you this summer. My research indicates there is no established internship program at The Daily Coyote, but I am confident that my blog-reading and stalker skills would urge you to consider taking me on as an intern.

I believe in your company, and would be happy to offer my time and labor to aid its further development. Granted, you live in rural Wyoming, miles away from civilization. This would require a leap of faith on your part—to take me on not only as an intern but also a houseguest. In fact, I am propositioning you as much for friendship as for a job opportunity. I am clean, make a good cup of coffee, and would be happy to help with taking care of your coyote.

I’ve attached a resumé and writing samples. I would be delighted to hear from you. Please don’t hesitate to contact me with any questions.

Sincerely

Catherine