Simple Gifts and Magical Moments

There is always hope. Do not let the weight of all that has and can go wrong. Instead reach for what you can do. Yes, a single match can set a forest fire, but what that teaches us is that a small spark can be mighty. And if you can't do anything today, remind yourself that there is tomorrow and the day after and the day after. You will have your chance to to act as that small flame of hope for our great mother, the Earth.

Last week I wrote a long post, that apparently didn't get posted. The shooting at the Pittsburgh Synagogue really got to me. A lot of people are talking about the current political climate and how that seems to be a trigger for this shooting. That may be true. However I think a lot of people don't understand how deeply antisemitism is embedded in our country. I grew up on stories of my Grandfather escaping Russian soldiers, who were killing Jews, and coming to the US. The US  was much better, but he still got beat up for being a Jew. My mom talked about going to a private school, were she was the token Jew. She got to go to the school but was excluded from all social events. The synagogue that I went to when I was younger was subject to regular vandalism. Someone also tried to burn it down and the only thing that saved it was a good citizen who saw the flames. I have had to debate going to services when there was a "credible" bomb threat. I went as did many ...

Seven years ago today,  Floyd brought his intense and energetic spirit into my life. Even though, I adopted him, I feel he chose me. I had lost my sweet, Schmoozer not long ago. I have always felt somewhat purposeless without a dog. So, although I was still aching from the loss I was looking for a new companion. The rescue group talked about his energy and fear in careful terms, trying to admit his issues but make him sound appealing. I could read between the lines and kn When I went to meet him, he did better with me than I or the rescue group expected. That didn't mean he came to me with tail wagging. Floyd life was full of fear and he spent his time hiding, pacing, and cowering, but when we met he didn't try to hide. He maintained his distance and was panting so hard, that if he was a human I would have assumed he was hyperventilating. His eyes were big and frightened and he panted in fear but he also seemed to stare into my soul. Normally, when I introduce myself ...

As the heat wave passed, I whispered to myself, "I will dance in the rain". I've been told I can't dance, but the rain doesn't care. I've been told that I'm odd, but weather isn't bothered by human expectations or concerns. The rain didn't come until the sun had slipped down beyond the ocean and dark had claimed the day. It was cool outside and rain slippery fingers were chills against my skin. I reached to the sky accepting the offering and danced.

So... on a day with lots of crazy drama at the veterinary clinic, this man comes up to the desk of the vet office. He's asking me for something, but he's either not saying it right or I'm not understanding him past the heavy accent. He shows me his phone and it says sodium chloride. I pause and then say uncertainly, "That's salt". He says yes and says solution with "dopper". I am quite sure I looked at him blankly. I am trying to learn all the veterinary pharmacy items so I can get my "clerks" license and dispense medications, but I have no freaking idea what salt solution with dopper could be. What strange medication is that? He consults his phone and says "dropper, with dropper" and show me a picture of a bottle with a bulb dropper. You would think this would clear the mystery up, but no, it doesn't. He wants saline solution that comes in bottle with a bulb and dropper? Am I missing something? So I wander to the back and ...