Dog | Open Space Practice, (AKA: A Thousand Shades of Gray)

One of Eric and I’s favorite things has always been hiking. Anywhere we can take the dogs, be with them in nature, go exploring, is good. We love the exercise, the joy of the movement. We love the solitude and quiet, as well as the time together. We have long talks that remember where we’ve been, and consider where we want to go. We catch up and dream and plan and forgive and give thanks. There is effort, but there is also relaxation.

eric and I on the top of arthur's rock, 1993

In the winter, I don’t go that much, but Eric does–gears up in gaters and gloves and spiked shoes, grabs the dogs and goes. I stay home, sleep in and write. But I have really been missing it, and the weather has been so great, so today we went to Lory State Park and hiked together (a trail we first hiked together almost 20 years ago), getting there just as the sun rose.

This hike reminded me of Dexter’s awesome trail and scout skills. He’s the perfect guide. He’s kept Eric from getting lost many times, when the trail is hard to see or covered in snow. He always lets you know when someone is coming or when there’s a choice to be made about which way to go. He’ll sometimes pause and look back, maybe even come back to touch everyone in the pack with his nose, look them in the eye, making sure everyone is doing okay. He’s been a natural at this, starting from the time he was a puppy, and we almost always let him lead.

me with my guide

the view from Sam's position

We found treasures and saw beauty today.

feather

woodpecker

Sam found a snack: leg bone

lichen, so green!

fuzzy seeds

snow!

an appropriate warning, no matter what path you are on

My favorite part of lots of trails, especially anything with “gulch” or “ravine” or “canyon” in the name, is the sweet spot: that moment when, after miles and hours of steep trail, you come out at the top into this space, sometimes a meadow, but always beautiful.

you are here

today's sweet spot

let's keep going, Mom!

In Northern Colorado, there are these pine trees that smell like caramel, when the weather is warm and you are hungry, it can make you crazy, make you want to eat the bark.

So, I don’t want to say it so often that it gets boring or irritating, but I am so in love with my husband, my dogs, my life.

rosy cheeks!

that smile, that chin dimple, that boy just melts my heart

Dear reader, kind and gentle ones, with my whole heart I wish and hope that on this day of rest you are reminded of all the things about your life that you love, those large and small, near and far. I hope you fall in love, all over again, with who you are, where you are, and what and who is there with you. I wish that your heart is so full today that it feels like it’s going to break..

“Life is weird. Hard. Also beautiful.”
~Estrella Azul (41 6-Word Days).

On Friday’s, I do a “Gratitude Friday” post that’s a mash-up of Joy Jam (“Join us to radiate the energy of gratitude, thankfulness and celebration of everything that gave us joy this week. Together we will help send positive energy out into the world”) and The Little Bliss List (“Every Friday, the Little Bliss List provides a chance for us to celebrate the little things that brought us hope and happiness this week. I do believe when we focus on the sweet stuff of life, the sweet stuff multiplies. And by sharing those small gifts in our lives, we help others notice the gifts in theirs”).

This week was a rough one for me, so concentrating on what’s been good is especially important.

The List

1. Nice cops. On my way to my mother-in-law’s this morning, to be there with her when our beloved Rocky died (and to be with him), I got pulled over for speeding in a school zone. It would have been even nicer if he’d just let me go with a warning after hearing where I was headed, but he was nice enough to give me a bit of a break. And who knows, maybe the Universe was taking care of me too, keeping me from something much worse by delaying me for ten minutes? I haven’t had a speeding ticket in over 20 years, and that one was the first and only until now, so there’s that to be grateful for too.

2. Good dogs who are no longer in pain. I was so lucky to have known, loved and been loved by Obi and Rocky, and we are so lucky that there’s a group of vets like those that work with Home to Heaven who can come to help when our dogs are just too sick and in too much pain to go on suffering. Both Obi and Rocky went peacefully and at home where they were comfortable, surrounded by those who loved them most. I am grateful for that.

obi and rocky, the very last time they were together

3. Spring in bloom. This week I’ve seen bright yellow forsythia and daffodils, and the crabapple and cherry trees are also in bloom.

4. I have the best husband. He brought me back a sprig of blooms this morning from his walk with the dogs, and left them for me with a love note, because he knew I was going to have a tough morning, and because he’s just that good and kind.

5. Vegetarian corn dogs and organic tater tots with lots of ketchup. All of the yum with none of the yuck or guilt.

6. Birds singing at dawn. This is one of my favorite things about Spring.

7. The Dalai Lama running on a treadmill. I saw this in a Russian documentary “Sunrise/Sunset” on Gaiam TV, and this clip includes the scene, towards the end. He’s shuffling more than running, and he’s wearing a white cotton tank top, with a large, fluffy pink bath towel belted around his waist. Too cute. I also realized as I was watching this film that when the Dalai Lama is starting to giggle, but still talking, he sounds kind of like Yoda. So cute, he is.

8. Two healthy, happy dogs. I know this was on my list last week, but it is worth repeating.
9. Danielle Ate The Sandwich. I am going with some dear friends to watch her play and sing tonight. A happy end to a hard, sad day.