the favorite dog toy

Rainy summer days make it hard for dogs to enjoy the back yard. Rainy summer days make the dogs restless and bored. The puppies pester the seniors and they ALL bicker over the favorite toy of the day. 

The prize today is a sad looking, torn up bunny. If you can picture Peter Rabbit as a Zombie, you have a pretty good visual of the toy.  There is nothing about the bunny that is hazardous or that could cause a choking issue, but the toy is in its last days. As soon as my husband sees it tonight, the toy will be trashed. There will be no stay of execution from him. I buy the toys, the dogs destroy them, and he throws them out. Our family system is efficient and predictable.

The puppies remind me that Mother Nature makes the best toys of all. Rocks, pine cones, and sticks are a blast- until our humans stop us from hurting ourselves. My dogs think that we worry too much.

The sun is trying to make a break through the clouds, so our confinement may be temporary. I hope that this storm is over soon, because the brothers are sick of the puppies wanting to play "bitey face" over and over. Once or twice is fun, but that tenth time is a snore.

Oh -- to have hot weather and to be allowed to play in the wading pool! Maybe our humans will BBQ while we soak? Dinner in the back yard?
Happy times ahead, when the rain stops.

habits (and David Sedaris)

I think that I am jealous of writers who can blog everyday. 
I honestly do not think that they have that much more to say than I do, I just believe they are better disciplined to carve out time to post. The schedules that they have put in place are working for them.
I have to ask --is my schedule is working for me?

I got away from my regular work and commitments this past weekend when I traveled to attend a funeral. I had several hours of "down time" that made me realize that I try to fill every minute at home. So much of what I do in my household is repetitive and is undone daily. Life is just happening while we figure out what to have for dinner.

I feel that I need projects with a clearer beginning and a firm finish line. Then perhaps this static of busyness will not be so blah. To live with more intention I must question what works and what does not.

When my kids were little I used to plan dinners with themes. Sunday we would grill, Monday was Italian, Tuesday was Chinese, etc, etc. This made it easy to set up a grocery list and the family was less bored with my cooking. Maybe I should have themes again?

Monday could be "discover a new part of our hometown". Tuesday could be "classic movie night from the library". Wednesday could be "hike a new trail and ice cream cone night". The possibilities are endless. Discoveries of new craft beers, kayaks, and bicycling are also appealing.

The biggest lesson concerning time that I learned this weekend is that it is finite. Whatever I want to do- I should do it now. 

I hope that you enjoy your day.

sometimes you wish you could b**ch slap an optimist

Today looks like it may be one of those days that requires extra caffeine, lots of sunshine, and a kick in my own keister to accomplish my required work today. I have figuratively set fire to my gratitude journal and it will require a lot of work to rid myself of this funk. I still ask why and wonder how to fix it.
Sometimes I just don't get it.

I drove 700 miles this weekend to  attend a funeral of a dear friend's mother. The service was touching. She was a much loved lady and her children and grandchildren shared stories of their time together. All the static cleared away with the loss. Daily concerns about money, or repairs needed, or chores were put on hold. No one cared about job hunting, medical queries, or car issues. We just shared a meal and talked about our times with the departed.

The funeral was held in my hometown. It is a small mining town that is depressed economically.There are lots of homes for sale and many empty businesses. The quietness on the streets was eerie. This time I saw my old stomping grounds in a different light.  

I truly believe that I am where I should be right now in my life. I take ownership for my actions and know that I can work hard to move forward. It just tears at my heart to see my loved ones battle medical issues that are the size of Mount Everest. Both humans and canines, and none of it seems fair.

I guess it is time to focus on where I want to be, instead of where I am right now. 
The control freak that lives inside me does not believe that I cannot fix everything. Maybe the coffee is kicking in-- maybe some much needed perspective is fortifying my outlook? I hope so.

My dogs are huddling close to me this morning. These canines know me best and always offer their silent support. To just "be" in the moment-- that may be the grace in all of this. If I stop the struggle on my side- the resistance will fall apart.  

Today my visualization will be holding my hands wide open. There is no guarantee that it will make my lousy mood better, but it cannot hurt to try, right?

without use of my right thumb

I guess that I am one that did not appreciate my ten digits until one of them was injured.
I take for granted tasks like typing, buttoning up a shirt, tying shoes, and tearing open a salad bag when preparing dinner. The shooting pain (when I try to use it) reminds me that I better get creative and find means to do without my right thumb.  This is hard.

With time I will heal. My fingers will be doing what they are supposed too- without stabbing pain. This problem is so small and will soon be forgotten. This is miniscule when I compare it to my loved one's heart problems.

Our main medical advisor is waiting for word from the two expert cardiologists. We are about six weeks into the medicinal regime and each week we have to tweak the dosages, pills, amounts,etc. It is all about the quality of his life. They tell me that quantitiy is not an option. I hope that they are wrong. The stubborn part of me so badly wants a miracle. The battle worn part of me asks myself "Why him?"  He is so young.

Our oldest furry friend is having issues with aging. Her sight is poor but her sense of smell is still super (hurray for Bloodhounds) and she tires easily. The aches and pains seem to be increasing at a faster pace and I worry about her quality of life too.
My emotions are all over the place today. 

Maybe my thumb slaps me back to focus on now? Each time the pain makes me wince I want to ask for mercy, but not for myself. Not for me and my inconveniences, but for those whose health is compromised. I pray for grace in their lives daily and to feel the love and support of our Creator; for humans, for canines, for all.

just keep walking, running, jogging....

I am listenng to an audiobook tape about Habits. I enjoy the subject so far, and it is making me reconsider some of my routines. I hope to replace them with healthier alternatives.

The author states that we have to "crave the habit."  If we are to  make this habit stick, the payoff must be deliberate and enjoyable. None of this is new information, but maybe I will hear it this time? I hope so.

The best way for me to improve my health is to consistently exercise, eat well, and lose some weight. To "age well" I need to protect the joints and keep the heart healthy.  I know what to do- I just need to make myself a priority.

Fitbit can be a curse AND a tool. 
I am trying to figure out the perfect way to "crave" the high numbers of steps, badges, etc. with the Fitbit tool that I use to track my movement. I do get excited when I reach my 10,000 steps each day, but the little kid in me needs to figure out a more immediate reward. 

There are three more discs with this booktape. 
I hope to persevere and get to the point where my day does not feel right- without the endorphins and the sweat flowing. The hardest part is getting the cardio started. I can talk myself out of many things.

Dogs love to move.
One of the best parts of a dog's day is when he or she goes for a walk with their owners. It is so exciting for them when we grab the leash by the door. They never hesitate and deliberate. The great outdoors makes them happy and they are ready.  I want that excitement when I lace up my shoes.

it will come to me

Words have great power and can carry so much meaning.
But, there are many times when a person can be at a total loss of them.
Sometimes a person's reaction -with no words at all- can say it all. 

A person can talk till they are blue in the face, but will not be believed if the body language does not match. Honesty in voice, mind, spirit and stance must synchronize and match. Actions have got to match the story.

Dogs are excellent barometers to whether people are telling the truth or not. If your dog does not like someone, listen to that dog! You will not be lead wrong.

My words have been sparse concerning this blog for the past couple of weeks. Life is precious and a couple of my pets have serious health concerns. I am still at a loss with some of what is going on, so I cannot write about it right now. Too close. Too tender.

Does life ever slow down or do we have to stay still when the important parts happen? Centering myself and trying to "keep calm and carry on" is daunting. Emotions churn my stomach and I cannot see more than two hours ahead.

I wish everyone a genuine Monday.