“A dog doesn't care if you're rich or poor, big or small, young or old. He doesn't care if you're not smart, not popular, not a good joke-teller, not the best athlete, nor the best-looking person. To your dog, you are the greatest, the smartest, the nicest human being who was ever born. You are his friend and protector.” ~Louis Sabin~
******
Today I'm grateful for:
dogs and their unbridled capacity to love unconditionally. If Roy could teach me to love like that I would be one amazing human.
being one of THOSE people I used to loath.
my favorite human. He is feeling better and he fixed Roxie! That is about the nicest thing he's ever done for me....OK, well, that may be a slight exaggeration, but it's in the top 100! Right up there with empting the dishwasher, paying the bills and opening the car door for me. OK stalkers, all together now....."AWE!"
the BFF. She saved me big time yesterday.
#2 pencils. Who knew they were so important?
a long ride with a short dog and babysitting Pixie. The man got all "I don't want you alone" and I got all "Awe, that's so sweet!" (in my head) So, I had a 4 mile ride with the Pixie saying "you're going to fast! Slow down! My legs hurt! My bike is to small! Don't make me tell dad! Can we rest?". It was nice to feel loved and protected.
out riding a Pixie. She blames it on the bike. I giggle and let her. *flexes*
making Ms. Amy proud of me.
God. I may be cracking under the pressure and freaking out, but he isn't.
This is my new office wallpaper.
I'm officially one of THOSE people *twitch*
Want a perfect cure for what ails ya? Start with a big pink bike and attach one wicker basket, throw in a camera, Pooh and his uncarved block, add to the basket one little dog, blend in a perfect Florida day, then mix well with a bit of Van Morrison. There you have it. I started my day way to early, felling way to bad and I now rest comfortably in my Teflon coated happy bubble. Life is good.
Today I'm grateful for:
calling out sick. Only the 2nd time in 2 years. Hey, I WAS sick at 6:30 this morning but since then I've taken two little pink pills and a nap. I managed to remote into work and get ALL of my e-filing done AND got a bike ride in. Now THAT's the way to use a sick day properly.
The perfect Florida day. OMD is it amazing! The sky is a brilliant blue and clear, the temp is 65°, only a hint of a breeze. I have the windows open, I'm barefoot and I'm in shorts. This is paradise.
my happy bubble. It's been a long time since I've rested so comfortably in my little happy bubble. Given the mood I was in when I left work yesterday I'm rather astonished to find myself here. *shrugs* Guess there is SOME redeeming value to being Bi-Polar. Hope I get to stay here awhile.
rides with the big pink bike. It's been far to long. This last cold snap was brutal but today made up for it. I threw my camera and "The Tao of Pooh" into the spiffy wicker basket Kelly bought for Roxie, harnessed up the little dog and out into the brilliant blue we rode. We rode 2 miles to the "good" pond. There we tapped into the flow with Pooh, took a few photos, splashed in some smelly water and enjoyed the day. Roy rode part way home in his basket sitting up and surveying his territory. I could almost hear him say "Dat's right, make way for Roy da Boy!" "Woof"
a good shooting day. It must have been the light. I got some amazing photos today. I didn't delete one. Even the few that are out of focus I can't bare to part with. Best shots I've taken since Day 1.
being happy. I hope for 2 things. 1) I get to stay this happy for awhile and 2) I don't get too preachy. Hey, at least I'm aware of my faults. When I am in my happy bubble, I get a little high and mighty. What can I say, I'm a work in progress. I'm still working on that whole "grace and humility" thing. For now, I just want to be happy I'm happy.
that feeling I get, after a long ride, as I round the corner off of Willow Green and onto my street. When I can just see Sally's red glow in the distance. My iPod is playing softly in my ear and I can feel the "click, click, click" of Roxie's gears. Having seen home something in me inhales deeply, like a breath of the soul. I don't know how else to describe it. I see home and though I've only been gone a short time, I am EXCITED to return. That feeling deep within me is what allowed me the freedom to leave in the first place. It's how I can face every morning with anticipation. I know, no matter what else the world throws at me, at the end of it, I get to return here to my slice of paradise. Yeah I know, it's a little preachy but what can I say. Blame it on the fumes in the happy bubble.
******
Wait, you need a little mood music while you look at the photos
It's freakin imposible to find Van Morrison doing this song,
“There are a few things that Success is not… Success is not fame, money or power Success is waking up in the morning so excited about what you have to do that you literally FLY out of the door. Success is getting to work with the people you love Success is finding a way of connecting and binding them together Success is connecting with the world Success is falling asleep knowing you did the best you could Success is joy, friendship and freedom Success is LOVE”
"Fame" The movie 2009
******
I am successful. I wake each morning with a sense of fun and adventure. My feet hit the floor and I wonder "What's in store for today?" Not every day, but enough that I feel justified in calling my life "a life well lived" I am loved, I love back, I have a great job and a greater family. I love my God, I am open, I am fairly honest, I believe how others live is none of my business yet I'm interested if they care to share, I have a large heart, I drink only on occasion and not to excess *coughs*, I am a non-smoker, a rock star cook and a writer in my own mind, I am a noob wanna-be photographer, and entity in flux, a label confounder and I am happy. I am all of this and a bag of chips. I am a success.
For those of you who Facebook me, you saw me title today "Hamster Walkies" and perhaps your pondering how it went from "hamster walkies" to success? Well I tell you, I watched the movie "Fame". The movie was just OK but the speech at the end, the one you see above, touched me. Any time, any thing, validates your life it's a big deal. Like with the hamster. HE is a success story.
I wanted a dog very bad. Just one of the many reason was I wanted a furbuddy to go for walks with me. I LOVE to walk and I LOVE to ride and I wanted company. The very first morning I arose before dawn to walk the hamster was not a success. He was so tiny and scared. Hell, he was scared of the damn leash. Our first walk went like this (step, step, back out of the collar, run for the door, bark at the door, run from the crazy screaming lady) Repeat x5. I remember the first few days fearing a roving tween with a cell phone capturing my morning antics and posting them on YouTube. It got so bad I feared I was doing him more harm than good by trying so we gave up for a bit. We found new activities such as the hamsters production of "The rug looked at me funny" and "let's screw with Momma" and waited for him to grow.
Weeks passed and eventually, after a rather ugly Christmas Eve public meltdown, we found success! Slowly, with lots of "NO!"'s and leash snapping, we began walking and then riding. I can't believe how much the hamster has grown! Gone is his hamster on helium squeak and his ability to back out of his color. Gone is his knack for walking out of his harness and ugly public meltdowns. Puddles and piles are regularly outside, well, most of the time, OK well about half the time but we are getting better! Our little Alien Freak Hamster now walks like a big boy. Chest out, ears alert, tail wagging. His bark now sounds like a Basset hounds with his balls in a vice. That same "Woof, Woof, Howl!" only 15 octaves higher, but still a REAL bark. Yes, our Boy Roy is a success. He has become a dog. *sniff sniff* I kinda miss the hamster, but I love my little dog. ATTA BOY ROY!
Today I'm grateful for:
Walkies with a friend. When I left the house I was pissed off, annoyed, full of angst and stressed. Walking briskly in the cool air I walked the day away. Breathing heavy I follow the path of a little dog, concentrating intently on the wag of his tail the stresses of my day drop away. Looking up I see Orion’s Belt, the little dipper and a beautiful crescent moon. Just enough light in the sky to illuminate streaks of wispy clouds and the beauty of the sky opens my heart wide. At that very moment, Lilly plays me one of my favorite songs and a few gentle tears roll down my cheeks. God has orchestrated the perfect therapy for what was ailing me. Love has restored my balance.
letting it go. Why am I pissed? Really is it my place? I may not like it. In fact, I may HATE it, but I need to but out and let it go.
knowing when to keep my damn mouth shut. It's a recent development and still a struggle but when I can manage it, I'm never sorry.
a drama free zone. My house is freak free, smoke free and drama free. It restores me and puts right what the world screws up. Home is where my heart is, where adventure lies, where love resides. Home is my slice of paradise and there's no place like it. It is all that and a little dog too.
little dogs who think their pit-bulls. Until faced with the threat generated by a large blowing leaf. Then they are cheap entertainment and little puddles on the sidewalk.
feeling better. I was scared. I thought what was left of my lady bits were gonna fall out. Turns out I'm just fine. Even if I'm a bit squishy and crampy. *sighs*
the restorative power of music.
the power of water.
191.2. Not bad considering.
red mustangs in the moonlight. I still can't believe that car's really mine. I MUST be hot to drive that thing.
my man. Just cuz.
finding happy. For all of you out there saying "I just wanna be happy" I say "it's right under your nose" If your still breathing, if you have a pulse, if ate today and have a roof, if you have a job for good or for ill, if you know where your children are take a chill. You are better off than a large chunk of mankind. Stop looking for happy and just BE happy.
******
He still pees like a girl but at least this object no longer frightens him
I no longer have to redneck rig his harness to keep him in it
