Remembering Fondly, Donna – Frankie’s Visits with Her

Posted May 15, 2015 by Barbara Techel

Donna was one of the residents Frankie and I regularly visited once a month for three years while Frankie was alive and a therapy dog at Libby’s House, Senior Assisted Living Facility.

I was so inspired by our visits that I wrote my second children’s book about our time there and the friends Frankie made.

Donna loved to stroke Frankie’s ears. If it would have been possible she would have held Frankie for hours on end. She loved her time with Frankie.

I remember Donna as so kind, always a smile on her face with an upbeat attitude. She passed away this week. I’m grateful for the sweet and wonderful memories of her and Frankie.

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Awaken -Wednesdays with the Wisdom of Dog

Posted May 13, 2015 by Barbara Techel

As I sat outside on my deck today for just a few moments, I was reminded of all the life going on around me.

How easily distracted we can become in our everyday lives and miss this.

But spring is like an awakening and a reminder to live a more conscious life. I watched as Gidget chased around the deck after the noise of the birds in the shrubs.

And Kylie sensed the new smells in the air as her snout lifted toward the sky.

And then I saw the leaves dancing in the wind.

And the hummingbird hover above the feeder.

And a butterfly gracefully flutter by.

And the sun soaking into my skin.

And geese honking in the distance that are nesting in the field behind our house.

The petals of flowers that are opening right before me even though I can’t really see it happening – but it is.

I sat there, just like Kylie and Gidget do so instinctively. So awake to what is around them.

Such a beautiful way in which to be reminded of seeing grace right in the place that you are – and nature and pets as our teachers.

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My “She Shed” a.k.a. my Zen Writing Cottage Featured on TODAY.com

Posted May 12, 2015 by Barbara Techel

My “Zen Writing Cottage” or the trend right now called, “She Sheds.”

It’s pretty exciting to be picked up and featured on Today.com – yup, The Today Show website! You can see my writing cottage featured here on their home page.

I was contacted last week by their Editor, Amy wanting to feature photos and stories of the latest craze called “she sheds.” She had come across my post titled, “How My She Shed Improved My Marriage.”

It’s kind of cute because I guess I was in trend way before there was even a trend with these fun and inviting places just for women, when John built mine in 2009.

I was inspired to have one after over two months of visiting my Life Coach, Diane, for my coaching sessions in 2005, at her lovely and endearing space above her garage overlooking Elkhart Lake (thank you, Diane!).

I hope my space inspires more women to carve out a place of their very own. Thank you, Amy and The Today Show!

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