A view of downtown Fort Worth. Taken from a parking garage on 7th Street
365 Days of photos – Day 321
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Author Archives: treerabold
NaBloPoMo – Homeless
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.
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. 
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.
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.
365 Days of Photos – Day 320
NaBloPoMo – Rainbow
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
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 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!
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
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
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
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
365 Days of Photos – Day 319
A beautiful fall day at the park
NaBloPoMo – Pets
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!
365 Days of Photos – Day 318
A Texas Long Horn Photo shoot
365 Days of Photos – Day 317
A Fall day in Texas…
NaBloPoMo – Food
Yesterday I mentioned picking up my morning smoothie. I honestly don’t want to know if they are healthy… we are going to say they are and for now claim it as the one dietary thing I am doing right!
I’ve actually made some positive changes over the past several years. I haven’t had a soda for many years, I rarely eat anything fried, I no longer eat meat and I gave up coffee last January.
You might notice I didn’t mention sweets or things with white flour. Here’s the thing. Last January Tina and I started a 6 week clense (that actually lasted 4 months). We did not eat meat or anything that came from an animal, we avoided sugars, processed foods, etc.
We attempted to eat a pound of raw vegetables and a pound of cooked vegetables every day. Along with eating fruit, beans and nuts. We felt great. Our cravings vanished, we had energy that didn’t depend on caffine and we lost weight.
When we decided to allow certain foods back into our diet…the slippery slope began.
The ocassional egg, a little cheese, oh why not a piece of chocolate?
I continue to go without meat and I’ve stayed away from coffee….but sugar, peanut butter and breads all seem to know my name and call me frequently, insisting I have just one bite or maybe a plate full.
We are both determined to resume our previous way of eating and begin focusing on our health again. Sadly I think it will need to wait until after the holidays. My goal from now until January is to avoid weaving too far off the path.
Not long ago I heard someone say….”Our new bad is better than our old bad.”
So true….I may eat a couple pieces of candy now…but I don’t eat the entire box.
365 Days of Photos – Day 316
Great Blue Heron
Conversations Around the Tree 