Tomorrow morning I drive south to pick up my new pup, Bigun, from Mrs1885. I am excited to meet her almost as much as to finally meet my Bigun. She's my Saint of the abandoned dogs.

I've been really stupid about a lot of things in my life, and dogs are one of them. I grew up in a home where dogs were a part of our lives, and we were never cruel to any one, animals included. Still, after reading some of the dog forum's threads, I know that neither I, nor my parents, were well informed...

These are not mine, though I am making them mine by distilling them down to words I can work with in my daily life. They don't have a particular order, because they are each so integral to the others that no one is supreme.

Seek to know the Absolute; Master the self; Be Humble, Patient, and Authentic. Meditate. Be Loving and Kind.

Each day I learn that I know less, and the path seems to lengthen beyond my means -- to be all the more compelling.

"...
Be like the fox
who makes more tracks than necessary,
some in the wrong direction.
Practice resurrection."
— Wendell Berry

It's occurred to me that what I'd thought I would find here is not. More importantly, what I was looking for I had all along, in me.

Time to make some different tracks....

Since arriving here in Lewistown, PA late last week, we've been pinned down by the heat, which neither of us handle well. It seems to sap the energy from us. Our walks, bike rides, visits around the area all have to be done in the morning, before the temperatures rise.

It's okay, after Boston and Niagara Falls, it's nice to do not much of anything. Well, actually we are keeping pretty busy INDOORS.

In our fifties, we've learned the importance of exercising our brains...

Living one's life Mindfully brings unexpected lessons, and also enforces a slower pace in life. Multi-tasking, having never been effective, is impossible. To truly give one's attentions to the present moment, one cannot divide one's efforts. One thing at a time.

It also brings to bear the choices we make unconsciously, when we react to situations un-mindfully.

Not long ago, I posted my personal observations about my own sin of Wrath, and incurred the wrath of another for...