The Adventures of Sadie and Sue: Episode 2020

 

This episode is out of order of the others, but who cares? It’s been a year.  Expect the unexpected has taken on new meaning.

Sadie and I have been out of touch for a while. Let’s get caught up. We will start with the important stuff. Sadie is her sweet chill self. She was happy when the dog park re-opened after the initial COVID surge and she’s keeping her paws crossed no further closures are necessary. She still chases balls and eyes the multitude of rabbits who live in the ‘hood who have no understanding of social distancing.

We navigated the year mostly unscathed.

Sadie and I were out for a walk in April following a late spring snowstorm and I took a pretty nasty slip on ice. She was off leash but came right back to me as I hobbled home and discovered I had broken my arm. It took a few months to heal but we had amazing support from family and friends. My sisters came from Florida, despite the pandemic and offered much comfort and help.  A good friend came and walked Sadie twice a day for months, as I regained strength in the arm and shoulder. What a relief to know Sadie was getting the exercise she needed when I wasn’t able to provide it.

We’ve managed several direct exposures and self-quarantined until results came back (negative).

The social isolation can feel daunting.

However, I squeezed in a few trips away. It’s still so strange to see everyone wearing masks. Eye contact is fleeting. I know everyone is doing the best they can, but it seems otherworldly.

It’s been a year. Pandemic, wildfires, hurricanes, a presidential election. Such a time of extremes.

What better time to make huge decisions?

Huge Decision #1:  Stepping away from my full-time job in December. Taking a bit of time off and then re-focusing on doing more of what I really want to do. To write. Trusting deeply within the unknown that a new path is emerging that is not dependent on outward appearances. It feels amazing!

Huge Decision #2: Decided it is time to get out of the stand and onto the field and explore dating. During an international pandemic, you might ask.  Well, I’ve asked myself the same thing, but why not? Where do you meet singles during this weird time? After swearing up and down I would never do so again, I’m making a foray into the world of online dating.

Spoiler alert: Online dating is not for the weak of heart. But with an attitude of curiosity, I’ve chatted with some nice guys who have the same badge of courage. Sadie is right there with me as I create my profile and she mostly approves of the photos I include of her. She and I are a team.

Again, this is a time to trust deeply that a new path is emerging that is not dependent on outward appearances.

Here we are in November, in the home stretch of 2020. I am grateful for my family and friends. For the energy of love that transcends anything else.  The crazy twists and turns have upended many plans. It’s ok. It’s helped me sink deeper into trust and to make new plans.

Be well, my friends. Sending each of you a ton of love, support, and virtual hugs.

Until next time, live a great story.

Sadie and Sue

The Adventures of Sadie and Sue: Episode 150

Sadie and I had planned some grand adventures in 2020. We were well on our way as the year began.

Nothing, however, even sparked a glimpse of the possibility we are faced with in our world today. I wake up on day 17 of ‘stay at home’ contemplating the events that have grabbed our collective shirt ties and spun us into a ravishing dervish of uncertainty. We are ensconced in the depths of the unknown.

The unknown, I am learning, is not to be feared.   The unknown can call forth a wide array of feelings and emotions. Fear, worry, sadness and anxiety have all made visits. But I find I’m better able to lean into those feelings as they arise. They don’t stay very long.

Hope, acceptance, and appreciation for all I have is most often in charge.

We are all hunkered down in our respective homes and communities, yet I sense and feel this collective spirit of cooperation. There is a gentleness of care and concern as our awareness embraces the good of the order. We stay home to help break the chain of possible infection for those most vulnerable.

In our community we go outside in the evenings and howl at 8 pm, to show our appreciation for everyone on the front lines. That simple five-minute show of solidarity brings me much comfort.

There are encouraging signs in windows, and sidewalks have chalked messages of fun and inspiration.  It’s truly amazing what our world community can do, when we pull together in ways we might never have imagined.

Spring continues to re-birth. The birds seem unbothered. I have my window open a bit at night, and I enjoy hearing the chorus of song as dawn approaches. Trees are blooming.

In our daily walks Sadie and I visit the sports field which is mostly empty. It’s been nice to see the brown withered grass slowly recover vibrant shades of green. Each blade seems to stretch up, sway softly in the breeze, hopefully awaiting the tickle of little feet, when children can freely run and laugh and play again.

Sadie lays her head on my lap and looks up at me with her big brown eyes. I’m grateful for her company. Soon enough, we will be revisiting our list of adventures for 2020.  We will do so with a much more tender awareness of what is truly important. Seeing family and friends in person and giving real-time hugs. Appreciating this beautiful life just a little bit more.

Be well friends. Until next time, live a great story.

Sadie and Sue

The Adventures of Sadie and Sue: Episode 149

The Magic of Morning

Sadie and I started a new habit this week. The days start a little earlier. The temperatures are a bit warmer. And, as tempting as it might be to turn over to snuggle into sleep a bit longer- well, the magic awaits. I ask myself, “Are you in, or are you out?”

So, I sit up, 5 am or so. I take a bio break, wrap up in my robe and blanket, sit up in my chair and settle into a nice meditation. My dreamy state is stretched out a bit more. Nice.

Then it’s time for Sadie’s bio break. After, she is happy to settle back into her bed.

I make a cup of coffee and heat up my neck warmer. I bundle up with that extra warmth around my neck, put on my hat, coat and mittens. I grab my coffee and off I go to watch the sunrise. Temperatures may hover around freezing, but I am warm.

It’s not yet 6 am, but Mother Nature is spot on, sculpting another beautiful masterpiece. She never gets it wrong.

Joy fills my heart as I walk East. The horizon awakes. A broad sweep of the cosmic paint brush- pinks and crimsons build up. It takes my breath away.  I walk my path, drinking in the cold air, listening to the song of a bird, or the hoot of an owl. This is a sacred time.

I watch the barren trees own their power. The buds at the tips of the branches push forth a bit more each day. All that possibility is brewing below the surface, seemingly stagnant. Yet, magic is happening.

Another timeless miracle of nature, hidden potentials, just waiting to burst forth with brilliant life.

We have that same power, I muse.

Our world is waking up. My eyes may still be sleepy, but I drink in the beauty of possibility. What broad strokes of a brush will I make to create my day? It’s an open invitation, saturated with possibility.

I walk. Grateful for this day to contribute to the good of the order. Grateful for that delicious sip of coffee. Grateful for the warm cocoon of my coat and hat. Grateful for the brilliance of the impeccable morning sky as it powers up, each moment bringing more light.

It’s a simple hour creating a great day.

I return home and sit at my desk.  My workday begins. I feel centered and calm.

Sadie is as always, way ahead of me. She snoozes quite contently nearby. She figured this out way a long time ago.

Until the next time, my friends, live a great story.

S&S

The Adventures of Sadie and Sue: Episode 148 and a Smidge

Smidge might not be easily accepted as a mathematical term, but for me, it works perfectly.  

I have imported my ‘old’ blog to this new one. I am firmly ensconced in my roots, back in the fold, with my given name. Finally. It’s been a journey- almost 61 times around this brilliant sun of ours, but I do remember that age only burns brighter.  Some of those old blogs might have episodes that have no need to be here. Bear with me for a few until we catch up.

Ok… enough about me.

Sadie had a very exciting week at doggie camp. All reports tell of late nights, plenty of puptacular conversations, lots of treats, and of being one with her pack.  Perhaps still wondering where Mom was. I tried to explain I’d be gone for a while. She’s a strong puppy, so there were no complaints. In her normal easy going way, she went with the flow.

I missed her, and wished she could have been with me, but I was on another adventure that did not lend itself well to us being together.

It was a magical, mystical time with about 1000 like-minded souls traveling a journey together figuring out our place in the Universe.  My pack.  So much beautiful energy. This was a week-long event, chock filled with early morning meditations, great conversations, incredible teachings, amazing healings, fantastic research, and so much more. 

This is kind of a tip of the iceberg description, but everything happening below that surface was thunderous.  I wrestled many aspects of self to the ground and said farewell with no regrets. Good riddance.

Even within the quite long list of self-limitations, I also connected with my brilliance.

My path in life has carved out a little differently than I thought it would. But each etch in the landscape is perfect, creating this living, breathing masterpiece of life that could not be better. And you know what? It is the same for you.

So much gratitude to my sweet pup, who allows Mom to travel about as she needs. Much gratitude to you… for contributing your most powerful threads to this grand tapestry of my life.

We are so much more than we know.

Except for Sadie. I think she gets it.  She’s centered, resting on her pillow, grateful to be home, knowing that everything unfolds in perfect timing.

Until next time my friends, live your best story.

S & S

A Single Woman and Her Dog: The Adventures of Sadie & Sue- Episode 147

It was a pretty chill weekend, no grand adventures on my part except for trying to whittle down an ever expanding ‘to do’ list and resisting the backache it gave me every time I tried to lift it up.

However, in Sadie’s eyes, it was a very good weekend, because it included a trip to the dog park. Doggie nirvana. Smells galore, dogs to run with and so, so many balls to chase.

It occurred to me as I watched her happily settle down to rest after chasing 65 and a half balls, that the joyful look on her face, that doggie smile, was probably exactly the same way she was feeling on the inside.  Kind of a ‘what you see is what you get’ situation.

And that made me think about the faces I show. How often does it truly reflect what I am feeling inside? I’m aware there is sometimes a gap. Sometimes I am spot on, and that feels great. And then there are the times I appear confident, calm and collected, and feel sad or scared or a hot mess on the inside.

Just how big is that gap?

I see this in others too.

I’ve seen my grandkids minimize a consequence when with careful inquiry, it actually made a deeper impact on them than they showed.

I’ve seen this with many friends, co-workers and neighbors.

Recently a dear friend trusted me enough to be vulnerable and share how something I did made him feel. It caught me by surprise because I had no idea it impacted him that way. I interpreted his response to a conversation we had at face value, no big deal... when in fact, it was a pretty big deal.

I’m so glad we were able to talk about it. It takes courage to share how we really feel.

We don’t often know the struggles someone has or the deep wounds they carry. Those signs might be invisible or easily glossed over.

We accept what we see because maybe we are really busy conforming and contorting our own face we choose to show. We miss stuff that way. Big stuff.

Veneers don’t often serve us, do they?

It opened my eyes  more to thinking about who I really am and considering just how big that gap is on the inside... that reflects to the outside.

 It’s an inner challenge to shrink it. To be more in touch with the authentic me, the mostly happy, go lucky woman who has ups and downs just like everyone else.  When I present that authentic self...well, magic happens.

I want to live my life from that place more often.

I bet I’m not alone.

What would it be like if we could connect on that level, heart to heart? Knowing on this adventure called life, we have all sustained bumps and bruises. Appreciating how priceless it is when you have special people in your life that can walk with you through them, good, bad or indifferent. No judging. Just accepting.

Sadie has no pretenses. I pretty much know all the time how she is doing. And with a heart to heart connection. No words are needed. She’s just being who she is. Looking for treats, chasing balls and curled up next to me on a chilly fall night. Looking at me with concern if she senses something is not quite right. Offering her presence and just being love and truth.

I want to be more like her.

Closing with a quote from my favorite sweatshirt...Live a great story, friends. Until next time.

S & S

A Single Woman and Her Dog: The Adventures of Sadie & Sue- Episode 146. October 6, 2019

So, this is actually our first official team adventure. The other 145 sprinkled throughout the year are best left for private introspection, and adventure might not be the best descriptor for a boat load of change. And I really like the numbers 146. I’ll explain that another time.

Today, Sadie and I were in search of aspen trees showing off their pretty yellow and red colors. It’s a narrow window, but a guaranteed 5 star show.  In all truth, Sadie was in search of a ball to chase, as usual, but she’s a good sport and even better company. We stopped first for hot pumpkin coffee for me and a hot dog for her.  We headed west on Highway 285 to Staunton State Park. Kenosha Pass was the original destination, but having heard so many reports of long lines of cars and traffic, we came up with plan B.

Seeing the highway sign that said “Watch out for wildlife and falling rocks” made me very happy.  There was a time in my life where fear of driving this type of road would have prevented me from going. Now, I love the twists and turns and endless views! It feels good to not have that fear any longer.

Staunton State Park did not disappoint. There were small groves of beautiful aspens, some peak, some still approaching and a few past peak. Gorgeous. The crimson leaves twinkled in the soft breeze and danced in the reflection of the sunlight, coming alive only as aspens can. The trail was easy, albeit a bit crowded. However, it was great practice for us, and it certainly felt safe. The park volunteers were fun, and guided us to a nice trail. Sadie had plenty of opportunities to sniff and post her own strategically placed ‘What’s up pup’ messages. We enjoyed the fresh air, blue skies and a few hours connected to the great outdoors.  

A few rookie mistakes. I forgot my pack back and hiking boots! Easy to remedy this- they will be put in my winter bin in the Subaru for easy access.

Hopefully, we will have many adventures to share. As a single woman, I’ve decided to embrace and see all I can. It’s great to do this with family or friends, but everyone is busy and there’s no time like the present to create a great day. 

The boatload of change this year has inspired me to think outside the box and go for it. Realizing on the other side of sadness is joy.  On the other side of fear is courage. On the other side of regret is possibility. I’m spending much more time on the right side of that continuum, and that feels great.

And even in those moments when I do miss what was with a fierceness that produces a hot torrent of tears, I realize it’s not how far you fall, but the courage it takes to climb back up. To know that all we experience and all those we cherish, even those we may never see again, contributed to the tapestry of this grand life....each thread woven in cosmic perfection, forming a net that will always, always catch you, if you can surrender and trust.

We hope you’ll join us as we recount the fun we will have. I can’t promise every adventure will have Sadie included, as she will likely be the main star here, but I’m guessing most of them will.

Live a great story, friends. Until next time.

S & S