I remember once being amused by an advertisement campaign for “Back to School” sales using the popular Christmas song, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”  Oh yeah, I have definitely had that feeling. (more…)

I recently had a chance to fly the friendly skies.  But there was one little problem: no one actually seemed very friendly . . . including me.  We were delayed – lots of grumbling.  Then there was nothing left but middle seats – more grousing.   An unhappy baby ahead of me cried throughout the flight. (more…)

My trusted friend Hickory, my old man golden retriever, had major surgery.  He has an incision running the length of his belly.  It makes it hard for him, in his recovery, to lie down in his favorite spot on the carpet by my desk.  Instead, he stands.

They took out a tumor the size of a small watermelon, and it seems that the cancer has already spread to his liver.  I don’t know why I’m experiencing so many animal loss issues right now, but that seems to be the way of it. (more…)

My dear friend’s mother died recently.  Helen was 88 years old and had been sick with kidney disease for 3 years.  Her decline was not quick or pretty.  And yet, her dying had a certain beauty to it . . . a peaceful acceptance . . . a surrendered willingness. (more…)

A few weeks ago I blogged about freeing my bunny, Bella.  Amazingly, for three weeks, she hung around our back yard as happy as could be.  I would feed her a daily treat, hold her in my lap and sing to her.  She grazed and roamed amongst the patches of clover. (more…)