Awakening

I'm reawakening the blog after a couple months off.  It's good to be back.  I've missed it.  But, family, and life, demanded my time so I stepped away.  I'm going to try something a little different with this post. A series of photo snaps- a moment in my day.  Kind of a photo diary.  Just for fun. I'm inspired by the blogs of Kelle Hampton and Nici Rae Holt, whom I've been following for awhile now. Read them at www.kellehampton.com and www.digthischick.net.  You won't regret spending some time with them. Read Kelle's book "Bloom" as well.  It's lovely.

So, this morning I had breakfast on the deck with Oliver.  Just me, the dog, my coffee, my oatmeal and the sun.  It was heaven.  Seriously, it was a spiritual awakening...literally.  One of those mornings where you just know God has a hand in it.  His creation was shining.  It was bright and crisp, green, blue, and sparkling.  It couldn't have been painted more perfectly.  So, I sat and watched the birds, smelled the grass, and breathed it all in. The breeze gave me a cool kiss every now and then just to remind me He was there.  So, I thanked Him and met the day.

 The oaks stood tall and mighty, proud to be in their right place in our forest.

The birds landed on the feeder, enjoying their breakfast too!

hello, mr. and mrs. cardinal

Oliver kept a close watch on them.

The shadows danced on the lawn,

                                                 The flowers smiled their yellow smiles,

                                      And that sun just kept shining, announcing her day.

                                                 

The clouds came out to play...

 ...And the moon went to bed.
       

                                          Other people went about their business,

            But we sat awhile on our deck this morning.  Didn't we, Oliver?

                                                           

Puppy Love!

We welcomed home an 8-week-old puppy last Wednesday on a beautiful 75-degree spring day. Oliver Oakley is a tri-colored Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and has quickly become the love of my life!  Who would have thought?  I've never considered myself a "dog person".  In fact, like my friend Carolyn, I was always more of a "dog tolerater".  Well, Oliver has changed that already!  Most of my friends told me to expect that bringing a puppy home was a lot like having another baby.  I didn't realize, however, that despite the extra work, constant vigilance, and joys of potty training, I would feel those same old tugs at the heartstrings and jump on those overwhelming maternal instincts to nurture and protect this little bundle in my care.  He has brought it all back and I like it!  In fact, with my boys now full-fledged teenagers, I admit I even missed it.  Funny how four pounds of fur can do that.

From day one, I have carefully scooped and measured his dry food, wetting it so he won't choke and watching carefully for signs of eating too much or too fast.  He does lap his water quickly sometimes and has the hiccups afterwards, but I simply rub his tummy and they go away. No spit up with this guy!
He slept all night in his crate right away...10:00 pm to 6:00 am without a whimper or bark and he wakes up dry and ready to face the day.  After his morning potty break, he let's me rock him in the rocking chair for snuggles to start our day. Now that's more than this momma could ask for in a first-born dog! He looks at me with those adoring big eyes that make me think I'm the most important person in the world and he comes when I call him, tail wagging behind him as he lumbers toward me on oversized puppy paws.  Best feeling in the world!  Unconditional love and constant gratitude.  I'm even getting used to wet kisses, muddy paw prints, and the smell of DOG in my house. It must be PUPPY LOVE!