Mother Nature chuckled!

Summer’s come back to visit.

Yesterday I thought winter had arrived ... with a vengeance. 

Mother Nature CHUCKED the rain down and blew the seagulls back into their nests .... and then CHUCKLED.

This morning they’re out stretching their wings in a cobalt blue sky.  

There’s sunshine in abundance and not a cloud to be seen.  

I’m LOVING it.

 I can stop and smell the roses and NOT get a mouthful of raindrops.

Our man Sam was back in the groove today after being away for a week. He knew it was a Tuesday and Tuesdays mean he and his favourite furry friend get to spend time on the beach.  To try and speed up their departure from home .... he’s impatient like that .... he bought all the shoes he thought Carol might want out of the closet and lined them up neatly in the lounge.  

He only brings ONE of each shoe though which isn’t really helpful when you need a PAIR.

We weren’t in our usual spot on the beach when he got there.  I could see his confusion.  He raced onto the beach and headed towards the cliff, which is where we usually wait, then ran back to Carol circling her in frustration.  His consternation was visible .... where were we?

He’s like a rocket launcher when he spots us. 

NOTHING and NO-ONE, not even a hound, distracts him from his target.  It’s Carol and Chocolat and I need them ... NOW!

Once the enthusiastic greetings were over we got down to the serious business of throwing rugby ball after rugby ball after rugby ball into the waves.  That dam Chiefs ball’s back again.  The hound EVEN relinquished her mammoth log to go play with the Chiefs ball.  

I HOPE it’s NOT an omen as my Sharks haven’t been playing too well of late.

The hounds did their usual “entertain the locals” bit whilst we basked in the sunshine and caught up on each other’s week.  

Did I mention there was caffeine involved?  

I thought not ... but there was.

These hounds are special.  The time I spend on the beach with them has benefits way beyond just the physical exercise. This time allows me to function ... to try to do and be the best that I can in this mixed up world I find myself in.  Just for an instant in time all the difficulties and pain in the world disappear.

“Do you not see how necessary a world of pain and trouble is to school an intelligence and make it a soul?” 

~ John Keats

Max ` the Bernaise Mountain Dog

Our lives are a journey and not always an easy one.  We all face difficulties but a friend’s reality has this last week sharply smacked me in the face and found me wanting.  

Reality bites. 

My heart aches for her.  Too many people suffer losses that are beyond explanation and beyond our understanding. 

Knox ... a bull terrier .... a rather pretty one.

Love doesn’t always make the world right.  Sometimes no matter how much you love someone, it’s not enough to make them love themselves.

Never stop doing the little things because SOMETIMES those little things are all a person has to hold onto.

“Don’t sit and wait. Get out there, feel life.  

Touch the sun and immerse in the sea.” 

~ Rumi