We are a culture fascinated by celebrity and very voyeuristic in some of our behaviours.  We love a good story–about someone else.  We will spend hours listening to gossip about people we may or may not know about, because we crave that kind of connection.  We are pack animals and we need our pack or our tribe.  We need the interconnected feeling that stories provide us and we need it for our very being, if not our well-being.  I love other people’s stories because it does provide a chance to see another side of others, better understand their perspectives and priorities and, sometimes, hearing these stories brings you closer and/or…

http://www.graphicsfairy.com/  It’s funny when I hear other people talk about how hard it is with little children–babies and toddlers–because I found those the easier years for so many reasons.  One of the most selfish reasons is that problems were easier to solve.  Giving hugs, swaddling, rocking, feeding, comforting–you name it, it was easier for me.  I could deal with the constant sleep interruptions, unfinished meals and hauling gear everywhere I had to go.  Easy Peasy, Lemon Squeezey.  Those years made me feel like a rock star compared to some of the haggling and negotiating that goes on these days.  I shouldn’t speak so soon, because right now everyone is…

http://www.graphicfairy.com/  When I pulled up to the window at Starbucks this afternoon, the barista leaned out, looking very apologetic, and began with, “OK, about your coffee…” and all I could think of was “they are out of caramel brulee” and “Wow, he doesn’t have to be that sorry about it–he’s being so nice!”  Instead, he surprised me with “the car ahead of you paid for your coffee.”  What a nice thing for them to do!  I was so surprised that I almost forgot to wave a “thank you” to them.  They were almost gone by the time the barista was done “surprising” me; fortunately, the passenger looked back just as I turned…

http://www.graphicsfairy.com/  Here is one of my all-time favorite Thanksgiving tales, which many of you have already heard multiple times: Our good friends (when they were still together), Alex & Maima, used to visit us every Thanksgiving–for about 9 or so years.  Maima went to culinary school to become a chef and chose not to pursue that career but has a real love of food, preparation and presentation.  She’s also pretty highbrow about it, but SSSHHHH!  She is a great chef and we love the food she makes.  They had to come down close to Thanksgiving for business once and so they stayed a little longer to feast with us. …

If you offer a dog an ice cream cone (you hold one under his nose or in front of his face) will he bite if off or lick it?  It was one of those nagging questions that I finally had to settle for myself (years ago). We had a little bet as to whether or not the dogs would lick the ice cream cone or bite it.  We all guessed differently, with variations of the simple answers.  So, on that same hike (see “Buddy’s Pack”) we had stopped at McDonalds and bought the dogs an ice cream cone to share.  I know, it sounds crazy & we don’t feed them…

http://www.graphicsfairy.com/ I don’t know why, but my entire family drinks out of my water glass.  Everyone else could have a full glass or cup of their own, but somehow everyone reaches for mine.  It never used to bother me so much but now it does.  Perhaps, because the boys are at a gross age where they leave a film or floaty “things” in my glass.  Perhaps, because Chief drains it before I’ve had a chance to drink out of it.  Perhaps, it’s because I get tired of the ice running out when I go to fill my glass after it’s been assaulted by another family member.  I cry out to…

Writing letters is one of the activities in Little Man’s class during the school day.  They are usually very sweet and this last one was not only sweet, but a great reminder of what a kind, young man he is.  The past couple of weeks have been Thanksgiving Sharing at his school and families are asked to bring in extra items for families in need, if at all possible.  The weeks were themed (household/personal items, non-perishable, Thanksgiving dinner, with frozens on the final day).  This is the second letter asking me for a frozen turkey to donate–the first letter he wrote “frozn turky,” this time he called it a “chikin.”  “Chikin”…

 I was going to meet someone for coffee this morning, when I saw a much older man who was very similar in carriage and build as this friend I was meeting.  As we walked towards each other, I couldn’t resist telling him that I was holding back frantic waving, because he looked like someone I knew.  He asked me if I liked this person and I said yes.  He asked me, “Do you like him enough to give him a hug?”  I said, “Yes” and gave him a big hug and happily continued on my way.  The little old guy was too cute in his beret and looked so similar…

So, that funk that I’d been in made me rethink some things that I’ve wanted to do as well as my relationship to my people and surroundings.  It’s so easy to let your thoughts circle the drain and once you go there it’s a slippery climb back out.  So, I reframed that thinking–don’t ask how, this time I just decided–and I noticed a lot of synchronicity happening in my life.  A LOT. For example, after my doctor’s appointment (a few weeks ago) I ran into a fellow yogini and we talked writing, life and yoga and it really energized me and kicked me back to where I was before.  I had spent…

 Buddy is our food-obsessed dog.  He loves a good snack, of any variety.  He’s never rejected a dog treat and eats most people food, when given the chance.  So it was very surprising that he spit out a big cookie–I think he surprised even himself.  Chief’s older brother and his wife were visiting (quite a few years back, pre-children) when we decided to go on a hike, taking the dogs with us.  Since we were going a bit longer we decided to have Buddy (he had the sturdier build of the 2 dogs at the time) wear the pack.  However, that’s not the only reason he was chosen.  Buddy…