For the dogs

It's funny how dogs recognize the difference between when you're packing to go somewhere without them and the times they get to go with you. Before I had even opened the pantry to pack her food, Dixie knew she was going with me. She may not have known that she was going to the cabin for New Year's Eve, but did know she was going somewhere.  She was all tail wags and running from room to room, jumping on my bed, jumping back off and high-tailing it in circles around the bedroom. Silly Dixie.

On the drive to the cabin, we made a quick stop at a local restaurant to pick up chips to go with the queso we planned to make but somehow never did. Before I opened the door to the restaurant, I turned back and looked at the car to see Josie and Dixie excitedly looking out the car window. At least I think the look on Josie's face was excited. The more I look at the photo I snapped though, the more I think that if she could speak, she'd be asking, "How much longer until we get there?"

We finally did get there and two days later when we got home, they were blissfully worn out. I love that for them, that I can bring them to a place to explore and sniff and roll around in the grass and play, where they can either freak out at (Josie) or chase (Dixie) armadillos and discover scents on the breeze and turn their heads in wonder. These two definitely had a happy new year.

Adios 2013

This is my 43rd post this year. That's two more than 2012 and a little less than half from 2011. Could it be I've run out of things to say? Could it be I've stopped noticing the world around me, stopped listening to the thoughts inside me? Surely I cannot have run out of things to say. That's too easy. I think it's that while I haven't stopped paying attention to the world around me, to the magic and beauty that is always there, I have somehow stopped exploring, stopped taking the time to let it all soak in. I don't like that realization, not one bit. It's about time, really, not about taking the time but about making the time. Observation must be a priority, a habit that takes root and becomes second nature. It used to be that way with me but I disconnected from that in 2013. I'm not sure why.

I seek to change that in 2014. Starting today, the last day of 2013.

I am heading to the cabin in a couple hours, going to spend the changing of the calendar in the place that I love, among the trees and the lazy moving river. Nature knows not of the calendar or the clock and I like that very much.

Have a safe and happy new year and, of course, all my best to you and yours.