Outside My Writing Cottage Window- Life is in Full Swing.

Posted by Barbara Techel

Right Outside My Writing Cottage Window- Life is in Full Swing.

Just like that. My whole yard is alive.

Yellow finches at my feeder. Robins splashing in the bird bath right outside my writing cottage door. Hummingbirds dashing back and forth to the sweet nectar hanging within site of my writing desk.

The first hummingbird I saw just a few days ago, well, I just had to sit for a moment in the grace of its tiny, exquisite beauty. I think my eyes were wide as saucers, afraid to blink that I might miss his sweetness perched upon the feeder drinking to his hearts content.

Each season with the arrival of the first hummingbird, I pause, like I did this time too–my hands in prayer over my heart. A sweet reminder of when I’m sure Frankie, my dachshund, visited me as a hummingbird a few weeks after she died.

I loved to call her my little hummingbird, so it’s not surprising I felt her spirit hovering a few inches in front of my face as a hummingbird whose wings were fluttering so fast as if to say, “I made it, Mom!  I’m free! I’m free! And I’m happy!”

There is life all around me with the all the busy wings a flappin’ here, there and everywhere…and it is contagious as I feel a new aliveness within me, too.

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On Knowing When It’s the Right Dog for You

Posted by Barbara Techel

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I’ve been watching with great interest as my favorite author, Jon Katz and his dear artist wife, Maria of Bedlam Farm have been searching for a new dog to bring into their lives.

The breeder they hoped to get a pup from was taking longer than usual, the dog not going into heat when they’d hoped. They considered adopting, but had a bad experience visiting a shelter over the weekend.

But then something prompted Jon to reach out to the woman who had given him his border collie, Red. As fate would have it and the stars aligned, they knew when they saw the pup with one blue eye that she was the one.

And get this….her name is Fate. I think they need no other clearer signs than this. It was meant to be.

It brought up the times this has happened to me. How it is when you just know. While at times I’ve been anxious for a new dog after one has passed, I believe that it has to feel right—that there is this connection that is undeniable.

At least this is how it works for me. It made me think again about Gidget and how I found her. Or perhaps I should say she found me? But likely once again everything aligned and we were supposed to be together.

When I saw her face and those telling eyes, after looking at hundreds of dachshunds, I felt that familiar tingle in my heart. She was the one.

While I had passed over many sweet and adorable, and most likely great dogs, I couldn’t stop looking at Gidget and found myself getting lost in her eyes. She drew me into her being. I couldn’t stop thinking about her.

It just brings me back to how connection is so important—for both you and your new dog.

Each day our love for each other deepens. I learn new things because of Gidget. I’m learning to step into and own more of my belief’s.

She is the one. And while I don’t know what the future holds, I take one day at a time, soaking in all the love that she is. And I thank all the stars in the universe for lining up in just the right way that brought her to me.

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Jon’s post about what happened during a shelter visit in Vermont is worth reading. I was saddened to learn that some animal shelters are now using a process for adopting pets out that seems cold and impersonal for both the person and the dog.

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Happy Mother’s Day to All Moms. Six Words for Mine.

Posted by Barbara Techel

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I came across a video called Six-Word MOMoirs, Six-words on motherhood. You can view it below and I think you will smile and chuckle.

But first, six words for my mom which came to me almost right away. I really didn’t have to think too long. These six words, when I think of my mom have brought me comfort, assurance, confidence, sweetness and most of all love.

So this is for you mom…

Tuck’s my hair behind my ears. -Barbara Techel

Ever since I can remember, when I felt sad, or was upset or sick, the thing that made it all better is when my mom with the most gentle of a mom’s touch, would softly tuck my hair behind my ears.

It always seemed to make things better. Every. Single. Time.

It still does. Even when she writes it in an email to me if I’ve had a bad day or struggling with something. I can feel it. And it softly lingers there for days filling my heart with the deepest and purest of love that there is—a mom’s love.

Nothing quite like it. I love you, Mom.

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