Just a run through the woods

There is no other place like the mountains of North Carolina.  Running is my meditation, time when I can be alone with my thoughts, some great music, and beautiful sights.  Here's some views from the road today.

 Things like this make me stop and pause - Beautiful colors of fire while the cool air surrounds, I continue on.

 The leaves look like they will fall quickly this year from so much rain.  I am blessed with this vista as I start a hill climb, it gives me energy to keep going.

 But the view from the top makes it so worth it.  The clouds moved slowly across our ridge, touching the trees as they went.  Some run for the sport - I run for the sights.

 I even had a visitor.  He didn't move as I got closer and closer to him, snapping pictures along the way.  Only once I had passed did I see the Doe and the baby down the hill and out of sight but under his protection.

It may not have been my fastest run but sometimes when you slow down and really look, you can see beauty all around you.

Be inspired.

No, I won't SIT!

My dog is teaching me patience as I take her for her walk in the morning.  There are a few life lessons I could use from my dog.

Patience - my dog has bowels of steel.  How can she go on a 30 minute walk, starfish as we leave the door only to wait until we are back home to take a dump by MY front door?  That is a lesson in patience that I need, that good things come to those who wait, if you think you can do it, you can do it.  But especially, its amazing how fast you can walk when you have to go to the bathroom - great exercise!

Ask for the belly scratch - if you don’t ask for it, then you won’t get it.  I could do what she does and walk over to my husband on the couch and fall on my back in his lap with a happy look on my face?  Or I could lick his leg to get his attention?  If I don’t ask for it then I won’t get it - and when I do it feels oh, so good.

Nothing like stretching - I wish I could stretch my legs the way my dog can stretch hers.  She can be in mid walk, stop do a full stretch then continue about her way.  I try to stretch and muscles say, “wait a minute, what are you trying to do to us, we’re gonna cramp up on you!”  Better yet, find something soft to lay on and go into full stretch mode.

Stop to smell the poo - I know she has things to do, especially go to the bathroom the minute we walk out the door, but she always has time to stop and smell the poo.  It teaches me that I too, must stay up to date on the neighborhood happenings, she reads the poo, I should take the time to read the news.

It feels good to rip something up - sure it’s my underwear, the boys stuffed animals, a few stray socks, but she’s taught me to let my energy out - to rip things up a little bit.  Sometimes just because it feels good, and other times for attention - especially if falling in my husband’s lap doesn’t work - I’ll rip up his underwear!

My dog teaches me to love unconditionally, to accept everyone with their flaws and always, I mean always be happy to see them.  What lessons has your dog taught you?

How to get a snowday!

This comes after the fact of North Carolina getting FINALLY the snow that closed school this morning with BONE dry roads!  So if you really need a nice day off with the children, here's their take then the adult's take on how to get a snow day.

Child's View:  It order to get a snow day, make sure that all your homework is done, don't put anything off until tomorrow as that will ensure that you end up going to school.  The night before a snow day it's important to do a few important things - drop an ice cube in the toilet, then sleep with your pajamas inside out.  Say a quick prayer and go to bed on time, then wait until the phone call in the morning!

Adults - Spend your time up past midnight finishing up the Science Fair project that was due the next day ensures that the next day is a snow day.  Finish up the last of the bread, milk, toilet paper and beer the day before ensures that not only is it a snow day, but you'll be house bound staring at your children with nothing to eat or drink all day.  The less food in the house, the longer the snow lasts and the more time you spend "bonding" with the family in the house.

There you have it, how to have a snow day.....but as I finish this up, I don't have to do anything - tomorrow is another day off and we're completely out of milk and wine.....let me turn my pajamas inside out that maybe the superintendent will change her mind over night!  What do you do for a snow day?