Fog on the North Lone Pine Trail

1. Hiking with Eric and the dogs. I wrote a whole blog post about it later that same day. One thing I forgot to say then was at one point I asked Eric how far we’d gone, (he has an app on his phone that tracks your distance), and he said “3.14 miles.” I responded, “Pie!” It took him a second to get it, especially since at first he thought I’d said “Why?”

2. Teaching yoga. I subbed for my class at the gym again this morning, the class where normally I’m in the back corner of the room. It feels really good to teach, but I’m also very aware that I’ve had a very big year and I am in need of some downtime to really process all the changes, just like at the end of every yoga class there is savasana, a final relaxation pose in which you give your body a chance to assimilate all the movement, the previous poses, to rest and make a gentle transition into what comes next. I need that too.

3. Training with Ringo. We had our last session of “Smart Dog One” last night, and have a three week break before starting the next class. I really really really didn’t want to go last night, wanted to stay home on the couch, but I’m glad I did. Working with him in that setting, getting to ask lots of questions and try new stuff, helps me to feel like I can do this thing, have a full strength Cattle Dog and do right by him, while doing what’s right for me too. He’s entering that phase right now that all dogs do where he’s growing up, testing me, seeing what he can get away with, and that can be frustrating, but it’s also clear that he really loves to train, to work together.

4. How Eric makes me laugh. And how so often it isn’t because he’s trying necessarily. For example, there’s a recipe in my family for a casserole that we jokingly call “funeral casserole” because when there’s a potluck after a funeral, someone always brings it. Eric said to me the other night, “what’s this called again, Coffin Pie?” When I told him it was Funeral Casserole, we both were bent over laughing. To have moments like that together is best thing.

5. Parents who are still alive and still married to each other. My mom and dad’s 50th wedding anniversary is today. 50 years! Eric and I have a few more days before we reach 21, and I know how hard it can be. I’m really grateful that they are still around, still together. I hope they make each other laugh today.

Dad, being a Christmas Ham

Bonus Joy: pie and good conversation and laughter with Mary, Chelsey coming to my yoga class, a thumbs up from Mitch after this morning’s yoga class, orange flavored San Pellegrino, down blankets, breakfast burritos from La Luz, blue sky and golden leaves, mostly healthy dogs, doggy playcare, TV shows that make me laugh.

1. Completing my last yoga teacher training homework assignment. We have one final weekend where we’ll teach our practicum, have a graduation ceremony, and end with a potluck. Right now, I am taking time to honor what I’ve accomplished, to celebrate. I am wiser and more compassionate as a direct result of the last nine months, blessed by the heart effort of my teachers and my fellow students, forever grateful.

2. A new training class for me and Ringo, this time one that shares my philosophy, wants to help me build a wise and compassionate relationship with my dog.

3. Getting back to work at CSU. I’m in my new office, which is way too hot in the afternoons and will never be as pretty as my “real” office, and because it was most recently a dorm it feels kind of like working in an empty hotel, but it’s good to be getting things done, to see everyone again.

4. Pick-Your-Own Strawberries at Garden Sweet. We were in Oregon too late for the real strawberry season, so it was good to still have one here. Also, finally a carrot from our own garden.

P.S. That’s Eric’s hand in the carrot picture. Mine aren’t that hairy. 🙂

5. Glazed Lemon Zucchini Bread, my new favorite thing. I grated a bunch of zucchini from our garden and froze it so I can keep having this. My mouth is watering just telling you about it.

Bonus Joy: My boys, all three of them. Eric took this picture and texted it to me the other day with the title, “We need a bigger couch.” This is Ringo and Sam piled on top of Eric while he was trying to nap.