Maggie's Thought for the Week: Walk with Confidence & Contentment

Just one spoken word and Maggie would be at the door- eyes straight ahead, tail up and tongue panting with excitement. The word that could do all this? Walk.

Maggie enjoyed walking. Like most dogs, it meant discovering new smells, protecting familiar territory, and saying hello to friends. She never missed any of the action. Maggie walked with a purposeful stride and look of confidence.

As a people watcher, I have observed my fellow humans pace with anxiety, power walk with purpose, or linger with a look of bewilderment. I have watched people look straight ahead with an empty gaze, stare at the ground, or their eyes trapped in a technical gadget. Do they know how much they are missing?

Ever watch someone walking a dog? Their gait shows purpose, but also a willingness to change their direction. An awareness of their surroundings, and sense of living in the moment, can be observed. Interesting how these characteristics can describe someone with confidence and contentment.

Maybe we should all walk with dogs?

Maggie's Thought for the Week: Mind Your Own Business

Maggie was a very happy dog. I just assumed she was that way, because all her needs were provided for by me. Then, I realized the main reason Maggie was so happy. She would always mind her own business.

Like most dogs, Maggie guarded her territory from the United Parcel Service, squirrels, and any dog who tried to leave his 'calling card' on her land. That's okay. It was her yard & her business to protect. Maggie never barked when the neighbors were working in their own yard, a car drove by, or at customers in the pet store. Their lives were not her business.

I wonder how many people would live happier lives if they just minded their own business? Every person took care of the problems & daily chores that pertained to their family or job description. It would be the end to office gossip, neighborhood conflicts and intrusive relatives. It would decrease the need for anxiety medications, abuse of alcohol, and long lines at the Human Resource office.

Maggie knew her business. She knew where her energy was needed and where it didn't matter. Makes me wonder... Are dogs smarter than humans?

Sunnybank Secrets . . . With Music in Their Hearts: Spies of WWII

'With Music in Their Hearts: The Spies of WWII', is written by author friend Carole Brown. The story is an historical mystery thriller, with a bit of romance. Carole's writing will not disappoint! She is a former elementary teacher, and devoted wife, mother & grandmother. She is represented by Hartline Agency. Please check out her website & consider her latest release as a wonderful holiday gift for someone who loves a well-written story from a passionate author.
http://sunnebnkwrtr.blogspot.com/p/with-music-in-their-hearts.html

When It's Family... A Quarter Bought a Carousel

Today, you can't buy much for a quarter. I don't think children even ask for a quarter any more. I did. However, when I was a kid, a quarter could buy you a carousel.

I remember the quarter rides in the front of the shopping stores. My hometown had a Caldor's, Kmart and Madison's.  At each one, you could find a shiny carousel or horse just waiting for you to pay the quarter fee. In return, a few exciting minutes of being jostled back & forth on a horse, or spinning around the carousel. And yes, there was music.

There was much involved before getting permission to ride the carousel or horse. First, before entering the store, I had to make sure my mother noticed the ride.  Then, I would promise to be on my best behavior; staying close to the cart & not asking for every toy the manager strategically had placed at kid-view in the check-out line. Finally, upon leaving the store, watching mom placing her change back in her purse after paying the bill. Would she keep a quarter in her hand for the ride?

As I recall from my childhood, I got to ride the carousel many times. Not always, but often enough to remember the simple joy it brought for a few minutes. A quarter doesn't go very far these days, but the memories of what it used to buy are priceless.

Maggie's Thought for the Week: Loyalty Is Always Top Priority

Our world is filled with a lot of people. Our jobs introduce us to many people. Our transient & technological society allows us to make many friends across the globe. How do we decide which people to develop a relationship with and trust our thoughts & dreams?

Maggie showed the answer every day. She was loyal. Every morning I would leave for work and she never destroyed our home. Every afternoon, she greeted me with licks & jumps. She was my shadow while working outside in the yard.  During walks, she never left my side without permission; okay, an occasional squirrel sometimes swayed her better judgement- but she always came when bribed with a cookie.

Loyalty is revered as a wonderful quality, but lacking in so much of our world.  The commitment to do as you say, keep your promise, honor your spouse & family, and treat others how you want to be treated can all be categorized under the topic 'one who displays loyalty'.  Qualities one must have in a friend, spouse & employee or co-worker. Can we see the same if we looked in the mirror?

Maggie was a loyal buddy. I was loyal to her. She taught me the importance of being loyal to other people. Thanks Maggie :-)

 

America the Beautiful...Wyoming, The Cowboy State

In 1807, John Colter thought he was going on just another fur trapping job. Instead, while setting traps, he came upon geysers & hot springs that were so beautiful and indescribable, he encouraged his friends back home to see what he saw. Today, millions of visitors travel to Yellowstone every year to experience what John Colter stumbled upon.

The state of Wyoming is mostly known for its natural beauty and majestic mountain ranges. It is where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains. It is also the land of many firsts. In 1869, women in Wyoming were the first to win the right to vote. In 1925, Mrs. Nellie Tayloe Ross became the first woman governor in the United States. Wyoming can also claim the first national monument; Devils Tower.

Devils Tower was declared a national monument by Theodore Roosevelt on September 24, 1906. It rises 1,267 feet above the surrounding terrain. More than 400,000 tourist visit every year. There are many Native American stories about the creation of Devils Tower. Here's just one of many:

According to the Native American tribes of the Kiowa and Lakota, some girls went out to play and were spotted by several giant bears, who began to chase them. In an effort to escape the bears, the girls climbed atop a rock, fell to their knees, and prayed to the Great Spirit to save them. Hearing their prayers, the Great Spirit made the rock rise from the ground towards the heavens so that the bears could not reach the girls. The bears, in an effort to climb the rock, left deep claw marks in the sides, which had become too steep to climb. (Those are the marks which appear today on the sides of Devils Tower.) When the girls reached the sky, they were turned into the star constellation the Pleiades.

Whether you are visiting the High Plains, Grand Teton National Park, or Fort Laramie-the first permanent trading post, Wyoming will remind you of what America used to be, and why our country continues to be admired by so many today.

God Bless America
 

Maggie's Thought for the Week: Everyone Needs a Buddy

Maggie had many dog friends whom she visited in the neighborhood. She anxiously awaited her four-legged neighbors during the summer and fall evenings. However, she had one special buddy.

Her special buddy was me. Maggie knew I would protect, feed, and love her. We walked together, played together and survived thunderstorms together. She waited patiently on Saturday mornings while I completed writing assignments; knowing a hike somewhere was her reward. Sunday was a day of togetherness and a special meal; lamb chops were always well received!

Everyone needs a buddy in life; whether it's human or animal. We all need to feel valued, loved, understood and safe. Sometimes, with all the technology in our world, we forget the importance of being with someone & building a relationship. The sincerity one feels in a loved one's look or smile while being together, can never be replaced via an Instagram or Face Book message.

Maggie was my special buddy, too. I knew she would protect me and love me; even after a long day at work away from her. She was my body guard and confidant. Maggie knew my schedule, my mannerisms, and my expectations.We were best buds.

A buddy who never let me down. That was my Maggie.

Lucky me.

America the Beautiful...Blue Ridge Parkway

The Blue Ridge Parkway is 469 miles of the best scenery within the Appalachian Mountains. The parkway can be enjoyed from May until late-October. You have to see it to believe it, as no photo will ever do justice to the heavenly views.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt initiated the project on September 11, 1935. It was originally called the Appalachian Scenic Highway. The project provided employment throughout difficult economic times in our country. The Blue Ridge Parkway took 52 years to complete.

                                                          (Linn Cove Viaduct)

The parkway was built to connect the Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The speed limit of 45 miles per hour, and maybe a little slower while driving on the nail-biting Linn Cove Viaduct, may hinder many visitors from completing the entire journey. Luckily, a stop in Roanoke, Virginia at the Blue Ridge Parkway Visitor Center (mile post 115) will eliminate missing any breath-taking views. The center has a 24 minute film about the region and a 22 foot interactive map of the entire Blue Ridge Parkway; known as the I-Wall.
 

The Blue Ridge Parkway will be represented on North Carolina's America the Beautiful quarter in 2015.
God Bless America

When It's Family...Advice from Dad is Timeless

I love listening to friends talk about their father. Usually, the conversations all share one theme- Dad's advice is timeless. 

Fathers often get 'looked over' during the early childhood years. Everything seems to be about kids and their mommy's. The dad is the silent soldier who stands guard and offers a quick nod of agreement, or wink of an eye to instill some confidence as their teenager ventures into the real world.

Frequently, it isn't until our young adult years that we begin to realize how smart the man actually was, and still is. The funny stories can now be understood with their hidden message. The wrinkled forehead that once was viewed as a look of frustration, now means a sign of someone who cares enough to worry about your happiness more than his own.

A father's words of advice will survive our constant changing society, because people will always crave love, safety and faith. 'Don't waste time on a man who isn't ready to marry you. He's letting you know he isn't a man yet. Why waste your time with a boy?'  'Marry someone who will be your best friend, because when times get tough, that's what you will need.' 'Remember where you came from and all the people who love you, don't bother listening to anyone else. They don't know you like I do.'  'You can always come home.'  'Life will be hard at times, but I didn't raise a quitter. Never say can't.'  'Love doesn't hurt.' 'It's important to know a little bit about cars and home repairs.' 'Always trust your gut, sometimes your brain over- thinks things.'  'Treat people the way you want to be treated.'  'Even if no one is watching- do the right thing. God will see and He remembers everything.' 'Someday, you will miss my great advice.'

If you're smiling now, then congratulations on joining the 'Remember Dad's Advice' club. I know not everyone in life is fortunate enough to have such memories or receive such advice. Hopefully, all of us can receive such wisdom through family, friends or other types of media. The words of wisdom Elizabeth receives from her Grandpa Frank in my book 'Legacy of Grandpa's Grapevine', may help the reader understand the meaning of family & commitment to each other.  Others may look towards television or movies to find what their childhood lacked, and they desire to instill in their children.

Whatever your circumstance may be, a father's advice will remain timeless.







http://youtu.be/ZGZq9fgVZB8