Power of Positive Thinking

                                                   

Johnny Angel says hello.  He is such a good boy!

Today is a great day!  Why?  Simply because I believe it to be.  The dogs are healthy, I am healthy and happy, God's in her heaven and all is right with the world.  For today I choose to focus on what good things are happening to and around me.  The sun is shining and the ground sparkles  like diamonds in the snow.  I send my prayers and good thoughts to anyone in the world who needs a hug today.  Good luck and God bless you always!

A New Day

A few years ago, this  babbling brook was  lovely but very quiet.  I built a bridge with a bench on it so I could sit there and meditate.  I hauled in five or six truckloads of rocks and boulders and created a series of waterfalls.  By carefully  changing the placement of the rocks, I was able to fine tune the sound to my satisfaction.  It was a true labor of love that is now enjoyed by all who see or hear it.  Sometimes it's hard to believe that I did all that because it looks so natural now.  I guess that I am  Mother Nature's helper, tweaking things just a little here and there!

"You wake up in the morning, and your purse is magically filled with twenty-four hours of unmanufactured tissue of the universe of your life!  It is yours.  It is the most precious of possessions.  No one can take it from you.  And no one receives either more or less than you receive."     

                                       - Thomas Arnold Bennett

I love this way of thinking  about each day and wanted to share it.

Snowflakes

Three snowflakes.  I wonder how many there  are in one shovelful of snow? Trillions?  Gazillions?

Snow fell all day resulting in an accumulation of about 4 inches.  Very beautiful and peaceful. 

 I read a study recently about a Japanese researcher who found that water exposed to kind words, when froze, created extraordinary beautiful crystals.  Conversely, if water was exposed to hateful words, it  created disfigured asymetrical crystals.  This happened whether the words were written, thought or spoken.  We, as individuals, have so much power to affect and effect everything around us, by our thoughts alone.   Try thinking good thoughts the next time you sip your water.  You will make some water molecules very happy!!

Snowstorm Predicted

The shepherds and Bouviers hunting for field mice ? in the prairie.  The second photo is Jack, the youngest at 1 year old, of the family.  I like the way his ear tips have kind of a strawberry blonde thing going on.

A 5 to 8 inch snowstorm is predicted for tomorrow during the day.  Right now the ground is bare and frozen so what might be the last storm of the season will be a welcome sight for me.  All the dogs love the snow.  They especially like to roll around in it - are they making snow dog angels?   After teaching in the morning, I plan to come home and stay put, so let it snow!  

A Good Old Girl

Miami is still an active member of the Polar Bear Club .  Here she is climbing out of  our frigid stream  after taking a quick dip.

Miami is now the oldest dog of the family.  She is thirteen years plus and still enjoys her life here on Good Shepherd Farm. Her muzzle is grayer and  she may walk a bit slower but her eyes still sparkle and she has a joy of life apparent in her desire to be in on every activity.  I treasure every day that she is with me.  Life is fragile and transient but Miami makes me remember to take advantage of every opportunity for fun and adventure when it presents itself.   I think I just talked myself into a dog walk so bye bye for now.  Have some fun today!

Life Lessons Learned From My Dog Vida

Recently my friend Deb posted a beautiful quotation on her blog (livewithgratitude.blogspot.com).  I especially liked the last line because it reminded me of how my very big and yet very gentle German Shepherd Vida  lives  his daily life.  Here it is:

"Be too big for worry and too noble for anger."  -  Christian Larson

Vida has such a calm and focused attitude that nothing ever irritates him.  I believe we all can learn so much from our beloved animals.  I know that I  have.

Spring Green

Yesterday I saw the first harbingers of Spring - garlic mustard and wild onion.  Too bad the deer and rabbits won't eat these invasive plants.  They could enjoy a tasty salad and I would have finally found a way to bring them under control, if not eradicate them.

Self -Discipline and Good Byes

My two old friends - Miami on the left and Portia on the right

What is this elusive thing called self - discipline and how is it developed?  I suspect, like any other trait, it's done in small, consistent baby steps.  Posting a blog every day takes a lot of effort and dedication .  I'm back and will soldier on.  

This past week was a hard one for me.  I had to say goodby to my Portia.  She was thirteen years old  and a sweet, loyal friend to me her entire life.  For a German Shepherd, this is a long life but the years went by in the blink of an eye.  It seems like she was a tiny dark ball of fluff that I could hold in my hand only just yesterday.  She was a free, independent spirit who often liked to go off on her own to explore the surrounding areas.  Not a good thing!  I even took her to a pet psychic once in an attempt to get insight into her behavior.  She told the psychic that I worried too much and that she wasn't running away, she just wanted to do a bit of exploring on her own.  She said that she would always return when she was done. Ha!  That was not good enough for me so I eventually fenced in my entire 100 acres of property.  She taught me patience, compromise, and, then, more patience.  You are now free to roam to your heart's content, my dear sweet friend.  I miss you, good girl.

Spring Fling

Today we walked back to the swimming hole to see how high the water was from the melting snow.  It was surprisingly low - not what I expected to see.  Vida thought it was just fine for a quick swim.  He is one tough doggie!

The sun felt warm, and with no wind,  the day definitely held the promise of Spring.

A Real Picasso

"I would like to live like a poor man with lots of money." 

                                                                                                      - Pablo Picasso

Simple Things

"A kind word can warm three winter months."  -  Japanese proverb