"Swagger" Is His Name

He’s the Old English Sheep Dog who won the runner-up ribbon for Best-In-Show last night at the 2013 Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in Madison Square Garden. 

I watched the show and it was clear Swagger was an audience favorite.  He was graceful and sprightly. That beautiful mostly white and some grey, fluffy-haired- from-nose-to-toe dog was highly favored by me too but my mind said, “He will never win.   He’s too big.” I’m thinking it’s the little ones or the slim ones who are singled out for meaningful attention.  Such is life.  

Happily, I was wrong.  You see, as they do in beauty contests, the runner-up winner was named first.  What a wonderful surprise for me when the judge selected Swagger for that honor.  (Congratulations to the Affenpinscher, a very small dog named Banana Joe who won the first place ribbon for Best-in-Show.)

Then this morning I’m noticing the little cuties Swagger beat out for his second place ribbon, were all over the Internet and TV shows getting oodles of face time.   While, Swagger, the adorable, huggable Old English Sheep Dog, a youngster, not yet even two years old, wasn’t mentioned.   Well I've since read he weighs 90 pounds.  Is that why I didn’t see him while the Bichon Frise, and various Terrier breeds were oohed and awed over?  Of course, they’re small and small is in.

Something to write about?    Probably not but it is the day before Valentine’s Day and being other than a small cutie myself, I’m relating to a lovable though ample winner.

Swagger, here’s a congratulatory hug from me.  Big is beautiful and oh so huggable.

Have a Happy Valentine’s Day.

It Isn't What It Is

Truth has become a relic, so it seems.  

Apparently some Real Housewives are not housewives – are not even married.  No one cares.

A star football player is heard implying it was surely understandable that he support false information after learning of a hoax against him.

Entertainment stars lip-synch ‘live’ performances.  I’ve learned the practice is known to happen frequently.  Today it has been profusely defended as totally okay. 

I’ve always expected truth and truth in advertising to prevail; to be the normal and right expectation.These days, not so, and I’m one person not okay with it. 

Now I know I’m a relic.

Quite depressing when I take the time to care. 

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Footnote:  Thankfully truth in action thrives in my daily living experiences.   I wouldn’t be able to maintain my sanity if untruths or creative truths flourished and were supported as they have been throughout the public media these last several weeks. 

Remembering Dr. King's Birthday Anniversary

The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Non-Violent Change in Atlanta, Georgia is a National Historic Site.

If you haven’t visited The King Center, you should.   You will not be disappointed.

Shown below is a picture of one of the souvenir post cards I purchased many, many years ago on my visit to the Center.   Faded and somehow tattered, it hangs, framed, at easy-read-eye level, in my kitchen.   I cherish these words of Dr. King’s.

                            Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  

                        January 15, 1929 - April 4, 1968

New Year - New Friends

Me:  “Buddha and Marble are coming to live with me. “

Each of my best friends:  “Well I won’t be visiting you.”

Engrossed in the view from their new home

Buddha is a Rottweiler (5 years old.)  And Marble is a Pit-bull (an older rescued dog – his age is not known).

Both breeds are generally saddled with a frightening reputation.  So, of course, I wasn’t offended to know fear of those two dogs would keep friends from my door.  The prospect of sitting, chatting, sipping tea in the presence of Buddha and Marble wouldn’t be an easily accepted situation for many.

Years ago, before I permitted me to get to know them, I too was afraid of Buddha and Marble.    Whenever I visited their home I insisted they not come near me.   So they were banished to the laundry room or outdoors.  

Those dogs were good about it.  Behind the solid closed door, they didn’t bark or whine.  And, outdoors they would stand on the deck looking and sounding forlorn and pitiful wanting to help entertain me there on the inside.  

After two or three years of this, the dearly loved family pets and I bonded. For quite some time, though, I hoped they wouldn’t sense my lingering inner fear as I gingerly patted their heads or as they lay at my feet.  If they did sense my fear, wasn’t it possible they might decide to tear me apart?   There was no indication such would happen.  It was just in my head.   They were always sweetie-pies.   

Anyway now that they live with me, we are solid friends.  They are well mannered, sensitive, and appreciative. 

Marble sleeps a lot.  He’s old.

Buddha follows me around.  He is so tall it’s like having a toddler at my side.   

I love my new four legged friends.   

 

Buddha is not allowed to do this!  Obviously, we’re in a learning curve.   (Hmmmm, if no one is coming to visit me anymore why not let the big guy relax on the couch?)  Oh No!

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One year ago yesterday I began my blogging adventure.  It's been a personally rewarding challenge.  It's been fun.  Your support throughout the year has been truly appreciated.  Many Thanks.

New Year - New Resolve

I’m not one for making Resolutions.  However in Year 2013, I will:

✓ Pay my taxes as I always do and not complain about what others do not have to pay.   Some things I cannot do anything to change.  The tax structure is in that category.  And, stress is dangerous to my health.

✓ Refrain from agonizing over the manipulations of politics.  Stress is dangerous to my health.

✓ Talk softly and gently (or not at all) (unless I must speak loudly and firmly in order to be heard).

✓ Help influence the passage of Federal gun control legislation.

✓ Go to church when I want to and not worry about the few times I choose to be elsewhere on Sunday morning.

✓  Keep a bible handy and speak daily to my God.

✓  Nurture friendships.

✓ Seek and welcome happy experiences.

✓ Respect/employ healthy lifestyle options. 

✓ And, I will be ever grateful for the strength that comes from the love of family and friends.

A happy, healthy, and prosperous New Year to you and yours!