When Your Foundation Is Rocked

I think all of us have personal beliefs that help us function in this increasingly unpredictable world of ours. They are internalized rock-solid truths that allow us to go about our lives with confidence. Among the stones of this foundation are several I have named “Things That Will Never Happen to Me.” I call these […]

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A Different Holiday Season

It is a typical California December sunset. Branches of deciduous trees and a few palms are silhouetted against the dark shadow of the mountains and a sky that has a slash of deep coral fading into peach, pale yellow, and the purest blue blending into the blue-black cap of the night sky. Tonight, the moon […]

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The Orchid

Yesterday, I was wrapping gifts on our desk. On a corner, out of harm’s way, a blooming orchid glowed in filtered sunshine. The beauty and serenity of the plant accompanied me as I cut, taped, and labeled.  A dear neighbor had given us this orchid when our grandson James passed away early in the year. […]

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Thinking of gifts . . .

I was given a rare gift today: the gift of solitude. I was completely alone for an hour as Sadie and John slept in. I made myself a cup of tea, snuggled into a chair, and looked out at the winter landscape. The chapparal continues to be dark green, but the surrounding hills are dotted […]

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Unexpected Blessings

How do you approach the holiday season? I have to confess I approach December with feelings of anticipation, eagerness, joy … and also incipient feelings of being overwhelmed, apprehension, and exhaustion. These latter feelings usually start the day after Thanksgiving when my mind starts jumping from upcoming tasks like a grasshopper leaping from blossom to […]

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Christmas Carols!

Marcy Mary and I thank our friend Lois Eastman for sharing her doxie Christmas carols with you on this week’s blog. Even though these carols are about Christmas, dachshunds come from all backgrounds, and no matter how you spend this time of year, Marcy Mary sends you happy wishes for a wonderful season!  Lois, take it […]

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