But it's my job...

My youngest daughter and I just returned from our daily dog walk. It is a beautiful day here and we get out for a walk any day that it isn't raining too hard. It is a great time for me to think, to talk to Rosie about what she thinks, connect with our dog, and just commune with the nature that we find in little nooks and crannies of the city. On Mondays, the city workers come with mowers and mow our park. Today a city worker said hi to me and thanked me for picking up my dog's poop. I was floored and I said, no problem, its my job! It really made me feel good though! I always carry poop bags with me because my elderly dog has no compunctions about dropping a deuce right on the sidewalk and I would be so angry if I stepped in someone else's dog's mess, so I just always pick it up. It is the right thing to do, however, a lot of people don't do it. They just let their dog poop willy-nilly on whatever they choose and walk away. Maybe I was one of those people once, before I had kids and realized one of the kid laws is, if there is dog poop anywhere in a mile radius of my kid, she WILL step in it, track it through our house, and cause me much stress and mess. That is just my experience, maybe your kid isn't like that, but mine is, I've accepted it. S'ok. That is part of the reason why I am somewhat vigilant about dog poop pick up and removal. Another reason? It smells. Have you ever walked by an area that has been used for dog elimination on a hot sunny day? The fumes of sun baked dog urine and feces are so not pleasant and I hate the idea of my dog contributing to city stench. BUT I never get THANKED for doing what I know needs to be done! That was so surprising and wonderful, so to the city worker, thanks for noticing and thank you for making my day! The next time I see someone doing the right thing, I am going to make it a point to say thank you, because I love this feeling and I want to spread it.

This Land is Your Land

I wrote a new verse for This Land is Your Land the other day. I really liked it and I wanted to put it in my blog to remember it.

This land is your land
This land is my land 
From California, to the New York island
From the redwood forests, to the gulf stream waters,
This land was made for you and me.


We gotta protect it and we gotta respect it.
Because we don't own it and we don't wanna blow it.
I want my children and my children's children
to be here on this land, free like me.


I have been singing this song since I was a child and I still love it. Thank you so much Woody Guthrie.♥

For the boy I told not to text and drive today...

Everybody's rushing, running around.
No one's looking up, they're all looking down.
Unless you're on facebook, they've no time to see,
The realness of you, the human in me.

Keep pushing, keep going beyond the line,
Nothing is right, but they tell you its fine.
Soon you will wonder where everyone went,
Once all of your time and money's been spent.

Put down your phone, look me in the face.
Is this what real human contact's replaced?
Time to wise up and try to understand,
What everyone's doing with a phone in their hand.

I know it isn't easy to relate.
Not everything in life is first rate.
We've all got too much on our plate,
But let's get one thing straight...

You gotta put down your cell and talk to someone.
Don't make it awkward, it can be done.
I know it can sometimes be a strain,
But sunshine usually follows after the rain.

People are ready for you to reach out.
It may not be easy, you may have your doubts,
Just make the right choice to speak out in the end.
That person just might end up being your friend.

Put down your phone and talk to a real person, in person!

In Case You Were Wondering

You are important.

In case you were curious, you mean something to someone.

Just in case you forgot, people love you.

There is someone who needs you.  
There is someone who wants you.

Even if you don't see them or realize it right now,

YOU MATTER.

A lot.

Just a reminder...try to remember that please, as you go about your day and make your choices.
You matter to someone and they care very much.

Here Comes Sunshine

Line up a long shot

Maybe try two times

Maybe more

Good to know

you got shoes to wear

when you find the floor

Why hold out for more?

Here comes sunshine
...here comes sunshine!

Asking you nice now

keep the mother rolling

one more time

Been down before
but you just don't have to
go no more
no more

Here comes sunshine
...here comes sunshine!

~Robert Hunter

Just a little excerpt from Robert Hunter's lyrics to inspire me today. I been down before, but I just don't have to go no more. No more. I just don't have to go. I know that sunshine is coming, I can hang on until then.

Depression Cure

I've been consciously improving myself every day. I started by quitting smoking back in March. I have been exercising 6 days a week. I walk with the dog and my neighbor every day once my hubby gets home from work. I have been working on controlling my emotions, especially my anger, around my family. Its not been easy, but I really do feel better "trying" to do these things.
Consciously working toward a goal feels really good and I wish I had realized this earlier in my life. Maybe right now I wouldn't be wishing I had done more, followed more of my dreams, but I can't live my life according to the past alone, so I try to let those thought float away and hold onto the the productive thoughts.

Here is something I have figured out. Smoking cigarettes depressed me, it didn't bring me up out of my depression at all. It was part of the cycle that brought me down. I also believe with all my heart that regular exercise, as in really sweat inducing workouts, are a depression cure for me. Just for the record, I hate working out. I hate being sweaty and hot. I hate the burning muscles. I hate the whole deal, BUT I love the way I feel afterward! The way I feel the whole rest of the day after a workout makes the initial discomfort and sweaty-ness completely worth it. You gotta get comfortable, with being uncomfortable. No pain, no gain. Those things are true. I am so happy that I have finally figured that out. It is empowering to be able to do something (that is free!) to make myself feel better. Anyone who has a working body can work out, even without expensive equipment or a fitness studio. So here is my unwanted advice for the day, go move around! Do some jumping jacks, bounce on an exercise ball, take your poor dog for a walk, do arm circles. Just get up and move, no matter whether its a big or small movement. Movement of any kind is beneficial and I am so thankful to know this! 

No matter what else is going on, I am thankful to be alive and to have a sound body. Thank God for my blessings, when I really look at the big picture, I have a lot to be thankful for.

just saying bob dylan

Just because I'm not smiling, doesn't mean something's wrong, but now that you mention it...

I felt upset being left behind, but I'm over it.

Just because I know the words, doesn't mean I have to sing along, but now that I think about it...

I might as well belt it out loud and strong, I'll feel better for it.

I am the person you wish you knew, but you'll never know that.

The one you snubbed was the one with the answers, but there's no telling.

No telling at all.

You made up your history, here's the short version of mine. 
When somebody asks, you say that you're fine. 
Doing what matters, what matters most? 
Stay in the lines and down the hills you can coast. 
But when they ask me who influenced you, I still always say you.
I'm not saying its your fault, all of its mine.
Just saying you were there with me, all down the line.
You didn't know it, but I fucking did.
I started listening to you when I was a kid.
You put pieces together, of words, rhymes, and tune.
Took me for a ride in your hand-made balloon.
We passed over patchwork, suffering, love.
On a wing and a prayer, we flew like a dove.
I believed it all, but I knew your worldview, 
Was now a fantasy, fame had skewed.
If you sold your soul to the devil, I understand.
You had to, to execute your plan.

We all know the devil ain't real.
I don't believe in anything I can't feel.
I feel you, therefore I believe.
I believe in whatever you've got up your sleeve.
Time is a wave and I rode it with you.
I wasn't yet born, but I was there, too.