wiener dogs

Love Is A Doxie – Storyteller Mitchell Jordan Interviews Me – Joy on Wheels

Posted by Barbara Techel

Recently I was contacted by a sweet and kind gentleman from Australia. His name is Mitchell Jordan. His labor of love is a podcast he has created called, Love Is a Doxie, and he asked if he could interview me.

Of course, I was enthusiastic about sharing my love of dachshunds and how they have positively changed my life.

Mitchell’s style is that of a storyteller and while the podcast is short in length, it is BIG on impact. 

Click here or on the graphic above to listen to my interview titled: Joy on Wheels.

The story behind why Mitchell began curating these storytelling creations is an episode titled: My Sister’s Keeper. You might want to check that one out too. Though fair warning – you’ll need a few tissues in hand when you listen.

I also loved the episode titled, Big Steps with Hercules. I appreciated the honesty of Matt, who shares how he wanted nothing to do with a mini-dachshund his wife brought home. And boy-oh-boy (!) could I relate to that one recalling the memory of bringing my first dachshund home and John wasn’t happy. But those of us who have loved a dachshund or two know how they can wiggle into just about any heart! And just as all three dachshunds I’ve brought home, they did indeed wriggle and waggle right into John’s heart…and as you’ll soon find out, they had the same affect on Matt’s heart.

Enjoy this special podcast I’m so glad to have been interviewed for and will now follow with great enthusiasm.

XO,

Barb

If you’d like blog post updates in your inbox just Click here to subscribe.

I Should Have Known Better. A Broken Promise.

Posted by Barbara Techel

I should Have Known Better. A Broken Promise.

It was serendipity that I would have my friend, Cindy join me to check out John Michael Kohler Arts Center Midsummer Festival of Arts yesterday.

And on my birthday no less.

A glass of wine in hand, we strolled the streets checking out all the talented artists and their work.

There is just something about viewing art, being with a friend, sipping wine, and warm sunshine that can fill my soul with pure joy.

barb and cindy

And money from my mom and in-laws for my birthday that was burning a hole in my pocket that I just had to spend.

But I had made a promise to myself.

No buying any wiener dog treasures.

How many does a girl need I told myself.

I promised.

And then it happened.

As if this beam of light shined down from the heavens and spotlighted this adorable metal sculpted dachshund.

“A wiener dog!” I exclaimed.

I shot off like a rocket headed right for the whimsical looking dog.

The angel on my right shoulder whispered in my ear, “But you promised. No wiener dog things!”

Oh but look at her! She is so happy! She reminds me of Gidget.

And then I knew I was in trouble when the artist from Garden Deva Sculptures out of Oklahoma said, “I almost didn’t bring this one today. It’s the only one left.”

That was it. I had to have her. Promise broken.

Wallet lighter.

Heart happy.

It was worth it. So worth it.

Thank you for visiting!

If you like my journal posts, you can subscribe here today.

The Love Behind this Tea Cup.

Posted by Barbara Techel

cupA few weeks before we left on vacation to visit North Carolina, I noticed a chip in my favorite tea cup.  I’m not even sure how it got there. I actually felt sad when I discovered it.  To add to it, it was right where I’d sip my tea from so there was no way getting around not noticing it was there.

It didn’t really have all that much sentimental value to it. I had bought it at a garage sale years ago. It caught my eye, sitting there all alone on the table, because it is my favorite color periwinkle. Looking at the sweet little cup and saucer just made me so happy, so I had to bring it home. I don’t even recall what I paid for it. But I’m sure it wasn’t much.

I couldn’t bear to throw it out for a week or two. But then when I thought about our trip and what treasures I might find while there, it hit me!  I could look for a new tea cup! I trusted I would find a new one, so laid the old one, who served me well all these years, to rest.

Asheville, NC is full of culture, art, and interesting people. One very cool thing they have done is taken an old industrial park and turned it into an arts district, called River Arts District. What a cool idea, right?

It was so fun visiting all the different buildings with many types of artists. Our second stop touring the district was  Curve Studios and Gardens and pottery work done by Maria Andrade Troya.

As John and I walked in I noticed many functional pieces throughout the studio,  including tea cups.  As we walked toward a table that caught my eye because it was all periwinkle (ish) colored pieces, I said to John, “Maybe I’ll find my tea cup here!”

He knew I was on the lookout for a new one.

As I was lost in my own little world of awe in the pottery and hoping with all my heart I’d find the perfect tea cup I heard John say, “Well what if it was your favorite color periwinkle and had a wiener dog on it?”

Without looking at him and continuing the peruse the table of pottery, I said, “Oh,  that would be perfect!”

Just as the words came out of my mouth, I looked down and spotted what he had just described.  I just about squealed like a pig I was so excited! It was perfect!

I was on top of the world having this new treasure that traveled home with me. But more importantly as I thought about that special moment, I felt my heart expand in love again for my dear, sweet husband, who really does understand my deep love of these little wiener dogs. Every morning now when I pour a cup of tea, I am reminded of this and it makes this darling little tea cup all the more sweet.

For all my wiener dog loving friends, you can order one for your very own!  Maria offers shipping!