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The weather’s sublime and it’s predicted to continue. We’re lucky in this blue state of ours, more precisely Southern California, which I feel like should be its own substate — a breakaway from the top half of the U.S.’s western border, because the weather down here is so wonderful that it’s hard to stay focused on finding an agent for my novels (more about that here).
Fingers crossed lest I jinx the bliss, this entire year has been perfection. Winter is easing in with sunny skies breezing into cool nights.
A recent day trip with girlfriends to local hot springs ‘gilded the lily,’ as chef Jacques Pepin loves to say. The various types of pools were lovely… as were the mud baths…
In between, we donned fluffy robes to break for lunch outdoors…
Today’s guest, writer/artist JoAnna of the Forest, blogs from North Carolina, where she resides with her husband, dog, and cat.
Want good news? Each Tuesday, she posts exactly that on her blog, Anything is Possible! | With Love, Hope, and Perseverance.
She’s published two books. Trust the Timing, a Memoir of Finding Love Again, recounts how, after 39 years apart, she and her high school sweetheart reconnected. Her poem offers a taste…
Must Love Dogs by JoAnna of the Forest
Human Love had failed me,
Not parental love
Taken for granted,
Or the love of children
Needing my care,
It was romantic love,
Twisted around egos
Of baggage and expectations,
That drove me from myself
Again and again, until
It almost drove me mad.
Still, Divine love
waiting in the wings
Offered the love that kept me alive:
It was Dog Love that saved me,
Dog love is Divine Love
Reflected In a living being,
Loyal, honest, and true,
to walk with me on the earth
To get me outside
To see the big sky
And the tall trees,
Strong, protective, deep,
Helping me find myself again.
When I finally learned
To love myself well,
A human knowing Dog Love
Found me.
This man with three dogs
Carried his oldest dog
Upstairs to bed every night.
My heart fluttered.
I took a chance.
We became one pack
Filled with Dog Love, Divine Love, Human Love
Loyal, honest, and true,
Strong, protective, deep.
How’s the weather where you’re at?
Discover more from Happiness Between Tales (and Tails) by da-AL
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That’s a wonderful poem, JoAnna and da-AL! And the photo of the pack gave me chills. Happy everything. Annie
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Our weather is nothing to write home about. Right now the snow has gone, everything is soaking wet, and Monday night we are expecting night frost again, that promises to get interesting 😉
Your day trip looks fantastic, and you seemed to have enjoyed it very much, good for you!
JoAnna’s poem touched my heart. I wish her all the best with all her loves! 🙂
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🙏♥️🥰
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Stella, I’m so glad to know my poem touched your heart. Thank you for your sweet wishes. I hope life is good to you. I miss the snow, so hope you get to enjoy it. 🙂
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The snow is gone, but maybe we will get some more. I am not too fond of it right now, because we have 104 metres of curb to clean of snow 😉
And thanks, I cannot complain about my life. Somebody seems to hold his hands over me (us).
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Lucky you—we haven’t seen the sun here for weeks! That mud bath looks like fun!
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Thank you for sharing you adventures and JoAnna’s poem!!.. “Life gives us brief moments with another, but sometimes in those brief moments we get memories that last a lifetime, So live that your memories will be part of your happiness.” (Author Unknown)… 🙂
Hope all is well in your part of the universe and until we meet again..
May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life’s passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!
(Irish Saying)
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Woman and man reconnect and share a love for dogs and each other. The dog’s love is then returned tenfold. A great story. JoAnna is a blessed and special woman.
Nice mud pic too by the way.
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Thank you for your lovely comment, JC. You are right about the dog’s love being returned tenfold. We continue to be blessed, and I hope you are, too.
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