As we stared outside this morning at a dreary, gray sky dear Husband said, “We get to choose what kind of day we will have. We can choose to be happy.” Although a native Oregonian, he has lived in sunny climes long enough as he says, “to know better than to like the gray.” But…
Four Lessons I’m Learning from Our Dogs
1. Each personality has its strengths and weaknesses. I can appreciate and benefit from the different strengths. I can offer compassion and patience for their weaknesses. Often their greatest strength is their greatest weakness. Boon is intelligent, intuitive, alert, and quick to ‘read’ us. He is also uptight, and obsessive. When Boon has planted…
Tricky Transitions
A friend’s 45-year-old daughter was the primary caregiver for her dearly loved father-in-law during his years-long illness. Since he died six weeks ago she has been experiencing serious physical symptoms that mirror her emotional state. Her doctor called it Broken Heart Syndrome when he had to drain a liter of fluid from around her heart…
Level and Straight
Last week a friend’s husband unexpectedly passed from this life. He repaired a gate on their property in the morning, had some soup for lunch, and laid down for a nap from which he awoke in Heaven. A few years ago they left their lifelong home in another state and moved into a home…
Distracted
This story unfolds in an intimate household scene. The dominant figure has a personality that pushes her to action. She is a get-it-done, speak-your-mind, take-the-lead kind of gal. She is generous, hospitable, hard-working, and eager to help. But she suffers from anxiety. “As Jesus and the disciples continued on their way to Jerusalem, they came…
Fruitful
Disclaimer: the following could cause mouth-watering and cravings! It’s fruit season where we live. This morning dear Husband went across our road and picked wild blackberries which we enjoyed on our waffles along with fresh peaches from a friend’s trees. Our own tiny apple tree is laden with not-yet-ripe apples. We can see grapes on…