Monthly Archives: November 2015

NaBloPoMo -Another Sign of Aging?

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Saturday morning I drove to the local gym. I sat there in the parking lot for several minutes. I felt like I forgot something.

Water bottle, Check.

Earbuds, check.

Phone, AKA something to listen to while working out, check.

Maybe I need to check my clothing….

T-shirt, check.

Shorts, check.

Shoes,

Shoes,

Crap…flip flops.

I drove back home, got my shoes and returned for my workout.

 

NaBloPoMo – Homeless

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Once a month myself and a group of friends go to the “homeless” area in Fort Worth. and pass out supplies.

Today was our day. We took hats, gloves, snacks, water and hygiene supplies.

This was the 5th month I have participated in this activity. Each month we have learned things that helps make the next month run smoother.

The thing we tried this month that made a huge difference was, we parked about a block away from where the largest group of people were hanging out. The reason we did this was so we would have time to get organized before  being swarmed.

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Preparing supplies

Being “swarmed” in this situation can be dangerous. But you may be surprised to learn the reason we wanted to avoid the swarm was because we each wanted to have time to talk to the individuals we were serving.

Our plan paid off. We were able to visit with people and find out what needs we might be able to serve in the future. We also had the opportunity to learn a little about each person we served.

Today, we met a gentleman named Alexander. He is a Vet and he made a connection with our two little friends Abbey and Anna. The girl’s dad stood nearby while the girls showed Alexander how they tie their shoes and played with his hair. The unconditional, nonjudgmental love these two little girls were able to share with Alexander was priceless. IMG_8600

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We met Cornbread and his dog Tex. I’m sure none of you would be surprised to know I carry dog food with me to make sure homeless dogs get fed too.

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Its one thing to help our fellow humans but I believe it is more important that we connect with them. I believe we need to shake hands, pat backs, look people in the eyes and let them know we see them. Let them know we care and let them know they matter.

Today was a good day.

NaBloPoMo – Rainbow

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I was recently reading the blog My Life Lived Full. Joanne was sharing her love for rainbows. It reminded me of a story I’ve been meaning to share.

In August Tina and I married in Northern Ontario, we were thrilled to be surrounded by friends and family.

This part of Ontario is beautiful and absolutely pristine. The only draw back of the entire week was the continuous rain.

A hike in the rain

A hike in the rain

When we woke Thursday morning, the morning of the wedding, it continued to rain off and on. We decided to put up a tent to assure we could still have the wedding outdoors. Everyone in camp worked together to set it up.

Tent construction

Tent construction

Tent decorations

Tent decorations

We had a wedding day breakfast at our cabin. Then, after breakfast me and two of our friends canoed to a different section of the lake to gather water lilies for the table decorations. It started to rain again and we got soaked….laughing the entire time.

If you can't tell...I'm drenched....but I got the lilies!

If you can’t tell…I’m drenched….but I got the lilies!

As we returned to camp, canoe full of water lilles, we learned Coco (a friend’s poodle) had been lost and found. According to Sonya our dog Sugar (the lab) was the hero.

Coco

Coco

A short time before the wedding the rain let up and the sun came out. Tina and I went to our respective areas to wait until it was time for us to “walk down the aisle.”
As we both waited we heard a commotion around the tent. Apparently a rainbow appeared over the lake.

Rainbow over Chub Lake

Rainbow over Chub Lake

As a lesbian couple the rainbow obviously seemed appropriate but we found so much more meaning to it.

The rainbow appeared to be a message from those people that couldn’t be with us.
From family members like my Dad and aunt who both loved this place more than any other. And Tina’s former partner that she lost to ovarian cancer. As though they all showed up to tell us they supported us, loved us and continued to look over us.

Surrounded by friends and family

Surrounded by friends and family

The rainbow, the love we felt and the support of those with us and no longer with us made the day more special than we ever expected.

Tina and me

Tina and me

NaBloPoMo – Pets

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Is it true our pets are like our children?

Our dogs certainly have their own personalities. Even though several of them have some of the same behaviors they all have their own little quirks.

This morning one of the dogs (Hershey the Schnauzer)  had a panic attack when the smoke detector beeped because it needed a new battery.

Our lab (Sugar) has been stressing out in her kennel. Even though she has spent time in the kennel every day since she came to live with us. This stressed out behavior started about a month ago when the church behind us started doing construction.

Today I got home from work and found her bloody from trying to bust out of her kennel.

I’ve decided to take her to work tomorrow to give us a few days to figure out how to help her make it through her days without hurting herself.

Freckles (Spitz mix) rarely lets me out of his site. Right now he is laying under my feet. The other dogs have gone to bed, but he waits for me.

They are like little furry people…that could benefit from a little therapy…and maybe medication!