So am I feeling down and grumpy because my friend went home? Or is it because it's someone's funeral today? Or because the dogs are on my nerves? Or because another friend is sick with Covid? At least the sun came out now for a bit. And my two dogs are happy in the woods here.  The extra dog dies not know how to walk politely in lead and I am not sure about her recall so she had to stay behind. That also makes me a bit cross. She backed out of her harness at my place and ran off to the neighbours place too. Heart attack time but she did return. But it felt so out of control. Ack! I think I do not want to dogsit rambunctious dogs anymore. I end up aggravated all the time. Why can't they all be like Sadie and Neimar and Norah?

     The Guest House      " T his being human is a guest house.       Every morning a new arrival.           A joy, a depression, a meanness,      some momentary awareness comes      as an unexpected visitor.           Welcome and entertain them all!      Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,      who violently sweep your house      empty of its furniture,      still, treat each guest honorably.      He may be clearing you out      for some new delight.           The dark thought, the shame, the malice,      meet them at the door laughing,      and invite them in. ​          Be grateful for whoever comes,      because each has been sent      as ...

. <> I remember thinking and feeling, when I was young, that everything was still to happen. I’d think of a new place and my heart would race thinking of all the new friends I’d meet. (new as-yet-unmet friends) New places to explore. I didn’t know “about” passion then but I sure lived it. Hitch-hiked somewhere, metro the coolest people in the coolest place so I stayed and became one of them! I built a boat, a sailboat - actually - just because that was what was going on! I bought some land, got married, built a kennel, showed dogs, went to university, took acting and psychology, bought a house, became a widow, fell in love and out of love (well maybe never really OUT of love but it ended); discovered Life Skills, stage management, the world of theatre, acting, singing, wore designer clothes, bought original art. Scared when H3 died and scared when I thought I might die.  I drove a purple car, met my baby I had given up at 17, became a grandma, moved to an island, met my mot...

 <>  * Waking up was a bit difficult for her that morning. The show the previous evening had gone relatively well, accompanied by the usual rush of adrenaline and relief afterwards, which as usual, made it difficult for her to go to sleep. It was nearly 2 before her head hit the pillow, yet her eyes still opened at 830. “Oh, well,” she thought, “maybe I should get up now and nap later. My friend K is leaving this morning.” K was her friend of nearly 15 years. They had met doing a musical together and fell in love with each other. K was tall, red-headed, musical, bright and witty - so easy to love. She was also committed to her longtime male partner, so nothing romantic would occur between them. Still they shared an intense admiration for one another and just as much easy enjoyment. Looking out onto the morning, she saw the ocean had a bit of wind in her. “Perfect for dinghy sailing,” she thought. The day was grey but no rain. :She got up to let the dog, Sadie, out of her...

 <> She belonged to no-one when she was born.  She came out of a woman, of course, but was never held by her, or cooed to by her, or nursed by her. It is uncertain whether the woman even actually ever looked at her.  She was weighed and measured and placed into a bassinet, next to the other babies who had mothers - real human mothers - and names. She remained nameless for quite a while. At first they called her by her father's last name. On her chart it said, "Baby McGee." The father named McGee had not been informed of her arrival but still they used his name. And the woman who birthed her? Nothing of that woman remained with her - at first. But then, a few days after her birth, the woman gave her two names - Lorraine Renee. The hospital insisted upon using the man's name as her last name however. Renee Lorraine McGee. She still belonged to no one, but now she had a name. It was a start. It is unclear how long she remained at the hospital, or where she went u...