Love, Life and Puppy Dog Tales

My Red Wing Hawk got an Honorable Mention at the Silver Dollar Fair. The Icy Windshield got an Honorable Mention at the Silver Dollar Fair. And my Foggy Canyon got a First Place at the Silver Dollar Fair! Small town fair, but it felt really big to me... thanks to those of you who have supported and encouraged me!

I don't know much about plants. I care for those plants and trees that were at one time someone else's, and so far I seem to be mostly successful. I saw this particular plant at the edge of a colossal canyon. It was all alone. That is a solitary blade of grass right next to it. It is tiny compared to the massive surroundings, that include tremendous cliffs, gigantic trees, and impressive brush. It is probably a weed. It doesn't know that - the idea that a weed is less desirable than a true 'plant' is not a part of it's make up. It is surviving. It has taken what it was given... a place to live, an environment to survive in, proper nutrients to grow on.... and it is living and growing. And I think it's kind of cute. Is that courage? Taking what you have around you and finding a way to make it work so that you can flower and become what you were meant to be? Standing amongst others surrounding you that are bigger and in many eyes 'better...

I manage a veterinary hospital. Day in and day out, I hear all kinds of things that are similar in nature to one another. What vaccines does my pet need? How much will this cost? My dog is a genius. My dog is really dumb. When should my cat get spayed? My dog hates my mother in law, what can I do? I, and my staff, do a fantastic job in responding to these questions or statements. But every once in a while, what a client says will throw us, and sometimes, render us speechless. Here are the top three things I have heard that in a million years I never would have expected to hear at a veterinary hospital. 3. Upon exiting the office after scheduling an appointment: "What day is Mother's Day?" 2. If you have read my blog before, you know about this one: Asked by a very concerned father: "Be honest with me.... does she match?" Referring to his very young daughter who was insistent that her clothes didn't match that morning. And the number one statemen...

When the day is done can you say that you had fun? Can you say that you made a difference? Will you have accomplished all you set out to do? Have you told someone that you loved them? When the day is done can you say you saw something beautiful? Did you tell someone that they were beautiful? Did you laugh? Did you cry? When the day is done And I mean really done And there is absolutely nothing more Will you have any regrets?