Le Gret, The Great

Greta has been my friend and "watch dog" for 15 years. She found me at the local Humane Society Shelter. Things were a little rocky at first; Greta was already two years old when she came to live with me. She had apparently been mistreated.

We went through a time when she didn't quite trust me. We eventually worked it out though, and now I can't imagine life with out her. But that is the problem. I know her time is limited. I believe she is actually on borrowed time. She is like any elderly creature, with all the ailments of one who has lived a good long life...

It hurts to see her struggle through her aches and pains, but she knows she is cared for and loved. I sometimes feel I am being selfish by holding on, but she still likes to go for short walks, sit in the yard and smell the breeze, and beg the postman for a dog treats. Greta, "The Great" is my dog. She is one of a kind.

BRUUUCE

Saw Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band the other night. The man still has it! I can't say enough about what  great performers he and his band are, plus the energy he puts into the show and how the audience is held in his hands through out the three hour "set." Great experience...pure rock and roll...solid music.I didn't want the night to end.  So many songs, so many memories...

Starting your day off right

Some of us jump up out of bed as soon as the alarm goes off. Many of us hit the snooze a few times before we drag ourselves out. At any rate, how you wake up and spend these first few minutes can influence how you face the rest of your day.I found this great video on YouTube by "sadienardini" which I think will help many of us get our day started on the right track. It is nice to wake up, stretch, get our bodies energized and put ourselves in the right physical and mental frame of mind, even before we get out of bed.I hope you enjoy:

Wake Up to Yoga in Bed

...I have placed the video to the left of the blog. This is a way to reduce the stress of the day and to get ready for anything that comes along.

Vote! in 2008

No matter who you think will make the best President of the United States of America, be sure to cast your vote in November 2008. It is a responsibility we should all take with pride. Not every person of the world has this privilege. We are very lucky to have a voice, and we need to keep our rights and freedoms in place.

Apathy will get you nowhere. Be aware of what your political representatives will support in the legislature and express your opinions. This is a historic election. Don't let a few "hanging chads" decide your fate. Vote! Vote! Vote!

Make your informed decision and vote.

Stop talking, Please!

Have you ever had a co-worker who will not stop talking! It does not matter what anyone else has to say...they keep this running commentary on anything and everything, no matter how how busy everyone else is...they really can't seem to stop themselves. Trying to ignore them and not responding to them doesn't work. Even telling them you are really needing to focus on what you are doing and can't talk right now, doesn't seem to make an impression. (Well maybe for about five minutes, then they start in again.) It is hard when you have known them for years and would love to hear what they have to say, if only there were time to spend listening; but, when you are on the clock for your employer, it is difficult to balance the two.I try to be sympathetic to people when they need to get things off their chest. Also I know excessive talking can be a sign of nervousness. Maybe a way to get attention?? I'm really not sure, but I have exhausted the ways I know to politely say "Stop talking, Please! I can't think straight with this chatter going on..." I am worn to a frazzle (my other co-workers are as well) and need any suggestions. Any out there?? Thanks...

Life is fragile

Life, love, people in general are just fragile. Just as flowers and plants have their season, we as people have ours. It is always surprising when a well known public figure suddenly dies. We are shocked into thinking about our own mortality. We realise we or one of our loved ones could be next. We need to know that there is no guarantee we will see the next sunrise. My mother always said we should not let the sun go down on our anger. Treat your friends and family like there is no tomorrow and you will be able to rest at night knowing you have no regrets.

Blue butterfly

I saw the most beautiful butterfly yesterday. It had close to a three inch wingspan and was deep blue. It was on the grass in my front yard and at first I thought it wasn't alive. I thought this would be great to photograph, so I tried to scoop it up by placing my hand under it with my palm up. To my surprise the butterfly started walking into my palm. I stood up straight with the butterfly in my open palm and just when I thought it couldn't get any better...the butterfly took flight and was lifted by the warm summer air...up and away.

I must say, it was one of those moments. I felt more calm and at ease the rest of the day than I had felt in quite a while. There is just something about experiencing such beauty that lets one know that things are going to be OK even in an uncertain world.

Peace to all. I hope each of you can find that feeling of wonder and joy today.

Walk away

I recently had a discussion with a co-worker that turned into a contest of who could "top" the other in a war of words. It is so irritating when a person just keeps pushing, pushing, pushing...until you say something stupid just to try to get the better of them. When will I ever learn! I was so frustrated. My mind was telling me to walk away, but my instincts were wanting to annihilate and devastate the opponent.

What pleasure does a person get from setting up an argument? Why didn't I just walk away and dismiss the situation? Even though I knew better, I didn't do better. Simple.

Did I learn a lesson? Of course. Will I be able to use this insight in the future. I sure hope so. No one can make you feel like a fool... unless you act like one.