Ode To Joy
I spent most of my weekend agonizing over words that wouldn’t come.
I want to write about something beautiful, to regale all of you with an exciting story.
Now here I am, starting the week, struggling to come up with something to say. I want so badly to catch fire. But my tired body and equally tired mind just aren’t having it. When I get like this, it has a way of making me feel a little sad.
This is when I need to talk myself off the ledge, because sometimes it is simply too hard to seize the day. I need to remember that joy isn’t about taking on the world. It is about love and the most beautiful things imaginable, the things you can never put a price on, and how they are right in front of me.
Like this:
And this:
Joy isn’t a one-size-fits-all proposition. We each have our own unique definition of it. And this is what it looks like to me.
Two pups who think I’m the best mommy ever.
And knowing I have this day.
Another day of life.
Another chance to get it right.
In the end I got to write about something beautiful after all.
Have an amazing week everyone.
Happy Thanksgiving
Today’s preparations and tomorrow’s festivities will have me quite busy until Friday, but I wanted to check in and give everyone a short and sweet hello. I wish all of you here in the States a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving.
And no matter what your beliefs and where you are in the world, I wish you a day filled with peace, love and gratitude for the things in this life that truly matter.
Until later this week . . .
My Babies
Our Grace
I haven’t written about my kids in a while.
As a writer I always have to go with my flow and what I feel at any given time; show me the work of any writer who forces any topic upon themselves, and I will show you work that lacks that necessary heart and sincerity.
I have felt just awful about my lack of inspiration when it comes to my pups, because I love them more than anything in this world, and there isn’t a day that goes by when they don’t teach me something and remind me of what matters. I’m getting back to it today, and I guess that is most important.
As I was going through my photo collection the other day, I realized I have way more photos of Grace Dog than I do of our Jack. My heart sank a bit. How could that be, when we have had our little man nearly two years longer? My husband and I talked about it. There is an explanation. Gracie is a curious girl. Put a camera in front of her and she gets excited and adventurous. She is also quite the poser and very photogenic.
Jack Dog is a different story. He’s skittish and camera shy, never sitting still long enough to allow me to photograph him. He tends to divert his eyes when in front of the camera, I guess not really knowing what to make of it when Mommy pleads with him to look up and sit still. It feels like my efforts are always in vain with this little guy.
But sometimes I get lucky, and always when it is least expected. The other day my baby came right up to me, and stood still like a good boy when I happened to have my camera ready. Who would have thought?
He really is my little buddy. Grace loves my husband and I equally, but I do sense deep down that she is her Daddy’s girl. He found her and brought her home. The circumstances of her joining our family created an unbreakable bond between the two of them. Our Jack on the other hand, well, he has always gravitated toward Mommy. That one I can’t really explain. Not that it requires it. Love is love, and we have it in abundance. There are no rules.
Something I am so thankful for, every second of every day.
I love you, Jack Angel. My little stinker. My sweet pea.
And you, too, Gracie Pants.
In Praise Of The Little Things
The days are still warm in my little corner of Northern California, but the signs of fall are all here. The dark hours come earlier. The morning air has that signature bite to it. Warm colors are beginning to adorn my trees and a big bowl of sweet Fuji apples graces my kitchen countertop.
I don’t know what it is about the upcoming season, but it makes me feel so in love with my home and family and all that is going well in my life.
I need this. Desperately.
Sometimes I look at the state of the world and how human beings choose to treat other human beings and I just want to give up. It makes me want to crawl into my little Cancerian shell and shut everything out. Or the opposite happens. The warrior in me wants to fight the good fight.
Sometimes I feel like two different people.
I’m grateful for the times when I can set those emotions, the two facets of me, aside.
This morning had that crispness to it. I cuddled up on the couch, in the softness of my sweatshirt, my coffee in hand and the pups at my feet. Today I have all day to do what I wish. I can make cookies. Or write. Or just love on my furry kids all day and be so happy knowing there is much good and devotion and comfort in my world.
I looked down at Jack and Grace again. They looked up at me; tails wagging, chewy toys clutched between front paws, so content.
What a nice scene.
I like nice scenes.
And simple moments.
They may be simple, but there is nothing simple or insignificant about the happiness and feelings they give me.
Today life is grand.
So ridiculously awesome.
Dog Shaming: Too Cute & Taking The World By Storm
I’ll admit it. I’m crazy in love with my pups. They run my house, and pretty much run my life. I would do anything for them. I would move heaven and earth for them. As far as I’m concerned, they are little people in fur suits.
I can’t imagine life without them.
Not only am I completely in love with my pups, but I’m obsessed with all things dogs. So when I heard about the latest trend taking the world by storm, I was super excited.
I discovered dog shaming.
It doesn’t sound very nice. Normally when I think of shaming I think of some loser on the side of the road with a sign, announcing to the world whatever misdeed they committed. Maybe it’s a teenager who stole, cut school, vandalized or smoked pot, and their mom or dad makes them carry a sign stating so on a busy street. I have also heard of adults who have to do this, sometimes judges sentence them to this sort of thing for petty theft, or whatever.
But it’s totally different when it comes to our canine babies. It’s all about the cute factor.
Check out these sweethearts. I can really relate to this one. I don’t think I will ever have really high end furniture:
How about this cutie:
Hilarious:
So funny:
Awww:
And look at these two partners in crime:
There is so much more where these came from.
Now I’m waiting for the next opportunity to shame Jack and Grace. Stay tuned.
For a super sweet dose of cute to brighten your day, or if you feel the need to fall down laughing, visit
And be prepared to fall in love.
Have a wonderful weekend, friends.
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