My First Audio Clip. Come Listen!

Posted by Barbara Techel

IMG_1502 1200For more photos of  ” Walk, Roll and Read Day” at Bookworm Gardens check out my album on Facebook. More photos to be added soon.

Before you listen to my first audio clip, I just have to say what a heart and fun filled day it was this past Saturday for the first annual ” Walk, Roll and Read Day” at Bookworm Gardens.  It rained all day Friday and there was still a chance for rain on Saturday. I said a little prayer that evening and asked Frankie to talk to the “big guy”  for some help with the weather for our walk in the morning.  It worked!  The sun came out and it was the perfect morning for the .6 walk to help raise money for Bookworm Gardens and the Frankie Wheelchair Fund.

Thank you to everyone who pledged me and Joie for our walk done in memory of Frankie. We raised $400 because of your generosity!!

And one more thing, please feel free to stop by author Jackie Bouchard’s blog today where I share a guest post as part of my continued Joyful Paws Jaunt blog tour. While there, do check out Jackie’s book and consider ordering it.  “What the Dog Ate”  is one of my favorite dog books and a truly enjoyable read!

So without further adoo…

Today I thought I’d start using my brand new microphone I bought about a month ago. I recorded this short audio clip for you which I share my all time favorite quote and why I love it so much.  Click here to listen.

Please do let me know if you like the audio clip as I’m thinking perhaps I’ll do more of  these in the future.

Kylie Takes Her Job Very Seriously.

Posted by Barbara Techel

Kylie neighborhood watchJust about every late afternoon during the spring, summer, and fall months Kylie takes up her spot near the end of the driveway. While john does things in the garage or gets ready for the next days’ work, she assumes her job as the neighborhood watch dog. I love seeing her so content and happy watching over our neighbors. It is also her job to bark up a storm when someone walks by, nearly scaring the you know what out of them. Her bark is fierce, but as far as I know she wouldn’t hurt a fly.  As I finish posting this she is doing a slow gallop behind John into the backyard getting ready with kindling for a chimenea on the deck tonight.  I just love that yellow dog of mine.

Forward March to 50: I Am Not My Body.

Posted by Barbara Techel

IMG_1492Every 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month until July 18th I will be sharing my thoughts about turning 50, which I will celebrate on July 18th… and yes, I said Celebrate!

The above photo was a Christmas gift to John in 1992. I was 29-years old. My mom was playing around with photography back then so she offered to take the photo for me. She also made the dress, which I still have, though I doubt it still fits. I loved that dress!  And, of course, she made me, so this photo is special in so many ways.

As I look at that photo today, which I still have hanging in our bedroom, I really don’t recognize myself. Though I do recall very vividly how insecure I was about my looks, my body, etc. When I look at it today I could kick myself for being so hard on myself. All the years I wasted with negative self talk which was often going round and round in my head. Why? I wonder.

And today it happened again as I took some time out to visit a second hand clothing shop for a few new  things to update my wardrobe. I stood in the dressing room looking in the mirror, beating myself up for what I didn’t like that I saw reflecting back at me. It took me a few moment to realize what I was doing. I told myself to stop it.

I reminded myself of how far I’ve come. How much I have to be grateful for. I am healthy, have a fantastic husband, soul fulfilling friends, a family that loves me, dogs I adore, and a purpose that makes me happy to get up each morning. I am not my body. It is my soul and my heart that I want others to see.

I remind myself to turn off the negative talk– as that is all it is and it is only what society has deemed what women should look like of images that flash through my mind. It is not reality. We shift and re-shape as we move along the aging path.

We are not our body. We are so much more. Rinse and repeat.

Me today at almost 50!  Not bad, lady… not bad.

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