Imagining

Thank you all for your thoughtful comments about dogs.   It's always so interesting to hear people's thoughts on any subject and especially one that has so much feeling involved.   We all have a different story, past and present, that shapes our feelings and choices today.   We have different things that make us feel comfortable in our homes, comfortable in our lives, and hopefully happy in our relationships.   

I've done a lot of things in my life that I absolutely enjoyed at the time.   I sometimes imagine myself doing them again, reliving something that invokes a great memory.   Or I imagine myself doing something that's a bit of a dream in my head, but in reality I won't ever do it.   I was that way with horses.   I saw others doing things like riding on the beach, trail riding on a regular basis, doing more Western type riding, and it all looked like fun.   I wanted a more versatile horse to do those things.   I wanted those experiences that Beau is not suitable for.   The reality of doing those things is you have to find the right horse, the right saddle, be willing to get up and out early, hook up the trailer, haul out somewhere, be able to get up on your horse without the aid of a large mounting block (I have a weak left ankle), and be gone for quite a while dealing with the heat, etc.   Several of those things don't actually appeal to me.   I'm quite content having my horse stabled and having a comfortable situation for riding.   So I've finally settled into knowing the difference between imaging something and making a choice based in the reality of what I know is comfortable and happy for me.   

I've travelled enough in life to be satisfied.   I'd like to travel more, but how much will I really do that?   It's expenive, it's kind of tiring, and at this point Erik can't get away very often, very easily.   When he's working, I like the feeling of companionship and protection.   Our dogs have been good ranch dogs and provided hours of entertainment and protection.   Are they work?   Yes, of course.   Do they bring in dirt?   Yes, of course.   They also kept each other company if I wanted to be gone all day.   The real issue has been finding someone to stay here for them and for the chickens, if we wanted to go overnight or for a few days.   They were never boarded anywhere and so that was never an option.   As long as we have Zach, that will be the thing that keeps me home.   I want to find a new dog that will be better suited for boarding if that becomes necessary.   Honestly?   The chickens have been more of a responsibility than the dogs over the years.   Crazy, I know!   They have to go in at dark or be eaten by wolves (that's what I tell them), so even driving to the coast for sunset photos is not easy.   No more chickens!!!!

I believe the key to happiness is finding it at home, finding it when your spouse/partner if you have one, and living the life you want on a daily basis.   That may be a dog or cat or bird,  it may be a horse, it may be gardening (something I'm not good at), it may be photography or painting or writing or cooking.  It may be decorating your home or spending time with your grands.  It may be hiking.  But it should be something you will really do, not just imagine doing.   Imagining things that you won't actually do, thinking that's the key to happiness, can distract from being satisfied with your current life.   Find something you love. 

This was a bit lengthy.   I guess my point is, we all find our happiness in different ways.   What makes sense for one person may not make sense for another.   Erik and I really like our lives and we're thankful for what we have.   Not every day is perfect and there are always challenges.   Isn't that what life is about?   Life is short, my friends.   Choose your joy.

Here's a yellow wildflower because it's Spring and I love the colors of the season.