“At night, who has not heard ghostly steps upon the stairs, the soft closing of unseen doors, the tapping on a window, and, perchance, a sigh or the sound of tears? Timid souls may shudder and be afraid, but wiser folk smile, with reminiscent tenderness, when the old house dreams.”
Author Myrtle Reed wrote this passage in her novel “Lavender and Old Lace” well over a century ago, which was a good fifty years before my own home was even a blueprint. And yet, I have found that my house dreams as vividly as any. more “A house dreaming … a house remembering.” …
Sometimes individuals seem to be blown into our lives like scraps of wisdom – on winds of circumstance or chance.
And they seem to come to us at our thinnest moments. Breaking into us. Awakening our present. Reassuring our past. Infusing our future with possibilities. more “Scraps of wisdom, on wind and wings.” …
“The purpose of life is to be useful, to be compassionate … to have it make some difference that you have lived.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
This is day 83 of Indy with diabetes. Indy is the Rottweiler-Shepherd mixed-breed dog who became a member of my family almost two years ago, at the age of 8. Other than the diabetes, his health has been quite good. But this morning I had to give him his 165th shot of insulin. And, somehow, I think he knows. Although it would be impossible for him to truly understand the need for insulin, I believe he senses that we are now living with a new kind of dependence between us. more “To be useful … to make some difference.” …
It has always been one of my favorite photos of my childhood. It is, in fact, hanging on the wall in my hallway. I quite believe I even remember when the picture was taken, although I was no more than 18 months old at the time. more “In search of totems and other wisdom.” …
The dog’s name was Cletus. Of course, we didn’t know that at the time. We were pretty sure he had a name, though. After all, his owner had cared enough to put a collar on him with a phone number embroidered on it. But the dog was truly lost. more “Cletus meets Confucius on the Appalachian Trail” …
“He who doesn’t risk never gets to drink champagne.” (Russian proverb)
It was my first published book, “The God-Dog Connection.” It was in Indiana. The designer of the book was there, and the production folks. So was the creative director and owner of the company under whose imprint the book was being published (Barry Doss of The Design Group Press). A few other staff members joined us – those who had participated in the development of the project or just wished us well. more “Drinking champagne from paper cups” …
Perhaps it was the unimaginable span of its arching, blue-black wings. Or its utterly silent flight, seemingly without effort and perfect in its grace. Or its impossible majesty, as it rose from nowhere and took my breath along with it. But watching the blue heron lift away from the lily pond between Rye Patch and Hopeland’s Gardens was quite otherworldly. Ethereal. A morning enchantment. Unexpected and delightful for both Indy dog and myself as we wandered along the grassy back lawns of this favorite walking place. more “Messages from a blue heron” …
