Today's Run

Today's run started with some very loud birds chirping, lots of squirrels swishing their tails at us and just a nice peaceful feeling. We didn't rush just relaxed and settled in to a nice pace.

In fact, it seemed like the entire world was relaxing with us. B. Emmett could hardly believe the nerve of the squirrels because they refused to run from him. One actually sat right on the sidewalk eating a nut and twitching it's tail in delight. B. Emmett was so taken aback by this that he did not even bother to try and chase it.

On today's run B.Emmett had the opportunity to be a guard dog as we passed by a gardener with a scary looking rake. Going into guard mode is one of my favorite things he does. Most of the time he is this incredibly goofy lovable dog. However, when we run if he feels even the slightest inkling of possible danger he becomes a fierce protector. It is not so much that he does anything ferocious but rather it is in the subtle way that he changes. 

Today he immediately tensed up and started to track the gardener with his eyes. He placed his large body in between me and the gardener and just stared while we ran by. What fascinates me the most about his behavior is that it is a very fluid motion that just naturally fits into the pattern of our run. He does not make a sudden movement but rather just glides along and changes his demeanor as if to say to the thing he views as a potential threat " don't even bother trying because I will not let you near her."

On today's run we had the opportunity to be grateful for the things that we often take for granted. We are healthy enough to run four miles together, we are safe and we are happy.

Today's run was all about just the enjoyment of being outside on a beautiful day with each other. I love my dog.

Possibilities

This year I turn forty and I have learned that there is a world of possibilities out there for me. I think about these opportunities as I run. There is the possibility of a career change, the possibility of a move, the possibility of simplifying my life...

B. Emmett and I run together because we see the possibility of enjoying the moment. When we run anything is possible. We can daydream about all of the possibilities there are for the two of us.

Possibilities mean positive things to me. I listen to the universe for the possibilities in life. What is possible today is different from what is possible tomorrow.

Life is full of possibilities if you are open to them.

It's Been Awhile

It's been awhile since I posted to this blog and although I have thought about it many times I just have not found the time or inspiration.

Today when I woke up it was 48 degrees in Florida at 9:00am I had to run and B.Emmett was ecstatic. He was happy and every muscle in his body seemed to quiver and say, "It's been awhile." Not that we don't run on a regular basis but today's run was different. It was almost magical.

It's been awhile since it was cool enough to go longer, to pick up the pace, to run later in the morning.

It's been awhile since we had the time to run together and really enjoy each other's company without feeling rushed to get the run over with and on to the next thing.

It's been awhile since we ran the route we took today. A beautifully shaded mostly downhill route past houses with big yards and rambunctiously joyful dogs barking encouragement to us as we pass by.

It's been awhile since I have had to wear a long sleeve shirt and peel it off halfway through the run once my body warmed up.

It's been awhile since we have felt the greeting of cold air filling our lungs with an almost uncomfortable yet somehow pleasant sensation.

It's been awhile since we enjoyed a run as much as today's run.

B.Emmett was a very happy dog this morning!

New Destination

In life we are on a path and depending on our choices and needs there can be many destinations.

Today B.Emmett and I chose a new destination. We officially came out of the closet to change from Starbucks coffee lovers to Dunkin Donuts coffee lovers.

My addiction to caffeine started somewhere in the baby years. These were the days when I had very small children and a full time job. Caffeine was a great option for keeping myself going and my love affair with Starbucks began.

Every day I had to stop and get my coffee. Starbucks was like a siren calling to me wherever I was. My children learned to spot Starbucks on road trips all for the good of family harmony. When momma has her coffee everybody in the family was happy.

Once when I was teaching third grade one of my students spilled my grande coffee before the bell to begin class rung. It was a very long morning because at the time I still had a newborn baby not sleeping through night and the only way I was managing to stay awake to teach was my precious caffeine.

About four months ago due to some unremembered circumstance we went to Dunkin Donuts instead of Starbucks. At first I was sure I would about die and then I tasted their coffee. "Sweet mother of god," I thought, " this is the nectar of life."  Well maybe it was not that dramatic but it was life changing.

We began going to Dunkin Donuts every morning. On Fridays I would still stop by Starbucks for my beloved Friday treat, a mocha. I felt guilty like I was cheating on my spouse. After all the folks from Starbucks all knew my name and my order. For goodness sake they knew my kid's names. How could I do this to Starbucks?

Gradually, I began to see that although Starbucks was a nice experience it just wasn't meeting my needs and it was time to move on. Still I persisted a bit longer than necessary. I mean who hasn't prolonged the inevitable break up of a relationship at some point in their lives?

Last week I was out with my mom and we stopped at Starbucks for coffee. I ordered my mocha because that was about the only thing at Starbucks I thought that I could handle. I took one sip and realized that it was over. I could no longer drink any coffee product from Starbucks.

I slowly threw my mocha in the trash and I said good bye to my dear Starbucks. Like a good lover I will always remember the good times and be thankful for the relationship but I have moved on to a new destination.

B. Emmett and I ran four miles to Dunkin Donuts this morning. We enjoyed every minute of our run. I love you B.Emmett!

Mad

Mad. That's a doberman when it is too hot to run. It is also the state of mind of a doberman when he doesn't run. He is mad as in insane.

Even though I am working for most of the summer my schedule is more lax. School is not in session so I do not necessarily have to get up at 5:00am to run. By the time I roll out of bed at 7:00am it is a little too late for to run with B.Emmett and it makes him mad.

He barks, he whines and he scratches at the door all futile attempts to get me to take him on a run. B.Emmett is not rationale when it comes to two things, running and me.

When he sees me he tracks me with his golden eyes always looking, begging, asking for me to take him with me. 

For him it is so clear what he desires.

Wouldn't it be nice to have that kind of clarity? Dog clarity. They know what they want period.

I want so many things that it tears me up at times. I want to go sky diving again, dive in a shark cage observing great white sharks, and so much more.

Today was a day of clarity. I was thinking of making a choice which would have been a major change in my life direction. The universe basically hauled off and kicked me in the head letting me know that I was in the right place.

I love it when it is that clear, right there, obvious, in plain view...

Dog clarity, yea I like that.

B.Emmett we will run again soon.

The Bucket List

Summer is here and the runs are getting hotter. With summer comes lots more time for B.Emmett and I to spend quality time together. Also lots more time to reflect and write.

During today's run I thought a lot about my bucket list. It is something I have been working on for a little while. What amazes me is how rich my life experiences have already been and how much more I cannot wait to do. Randy says that I am a young soul because I am not settled and always restless. I guess I agree. It is fun to try new things and continue to challenge myself and push my limits.

The one thing I would like to do on the bucket list that got stuck in my mind on this morning's run is to visit Los Angeles and just wander aimlessly with no real plan (but a nice hotel or somewhere to stay). I think I would find the mixture of the pure self absorbency of the city and its inhabitants and the beauty of the surrounding nature just out of LA repulsive and attractive at the same time.

It would be neat to explore LA on foot, running with B.Emmett. I am thinking of running the LA marathon sometime in the next few years. Unfortunately, B.Emmett cannot run it with me but he can train with me.

That is just one of the many adventures on my bucket list. Life is for living and following your dreams....Sleep when I am dead.