Maggie's Thought for the Week: No Place Like Home

The summer finds many packing for vacations and traveling to far away places. The days before departure are filled with anticipation and great expectations for discovering the unknown. For many, returning home can have a myriad of emotions. For me, going home always makes me smile.

I have seen almost every state in America. I agree with Mark Twain- traveling is the best cure for prejudice. Maggie joined me on most of my travels; all except two, to be exact. Once, I left her in the care of a professional. Another time, she stayed home and was spoiled by her 'grandparents'. Maggie preferred to stay home. She liked the knowing of her surroundings and the familiarity of her schedule.

I believe, to an extent, we all crave a measure of familiarity. The mug one always chooses for coffee before working on the great American novel, or the favorite hiking path to enjoy a sunset in the fall. If traveling brings a sense of euphoria, is it possible for 'going home' to arouse the same sensation?

'The more one does and sees and feels, the more one is able to do, and the more genuine may be one's appreciation of fundamental things like home, love and understanding companionship.' Amelia Earhart

America the Beautiful...Redwood Forest

Along the coast of Northern California, travelers will see signs for Crescent City. The journey will take them to 133,000 acres of indescribable paradise. The National Park Headquarters for the majestic Redwood Forest.

In 1850, the redwoods covered more than 2,000,000 acres of land. Unfortunately, after many lost their dreams of striking gold in the area, lumbering the redwoods became the white man fortune. In 1918, many saw the destruction of nature occurring, and established the Save the Redwood League. In the 1920's, parks were established, including Prairie Creek, Del Norte Coast and Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. In 1968, after ninety percent of the original redwoods had been logged, the Redwood National Park was established. In 1994, to help stabilize & preserve the trees, three abutting Redwood State Parks joined the RNP.

I have visited the Redwood Forest a few times. I have yet to take a photograph that captures the wonder & strength of the trees, the peacefulness the trails bring to the soul, nor the awareness of one's infinitesimal contribution to a world which beholds these living reminders of our short life-span. Perhaps John Steinbeck described it best... 'The trees rise straight up to zenith; there is no horizon. The dawn comes early and remains dawn until the sun is high... Birds move in the dim light or flash like sparks through stripes of the sun, but they make little sound. Underfoot is a mattress of needles deposited for over two thousand years...the last remaining members of a race that flourished over four continents as far back in geologic time as the upper Jurassic period...a stunning memory of what the world was like once long ago.' (Travels with Charley, 1962)

God Bless America 

Maggie's Thought for the Week: Shake It Off

Have you ever met someone filled with hatred or jealousy? Have you ever been deceived by someone you thought was trustworthy? Was your day constantly interrupted with thoughts about this person's actions? Did you surrender your own precious life moments to contemplate why evil people exist?

SHAKE IT OFF!  That's right, just shake it off. I have watched Maggie battle with some big dogs as they walked by our yard. She would bark back, but then once she made her presence known, she would shake her body and walk away. Other times, I would take her for a walk and she would nudge me to take a different trail. I would say no and command her to come with me. She would shake her body, and walk the trail I selected.

After every 'shake off', Maggie would move on to the next adventure of her day; sometimes a rabbit, sometimes a nap. Her actions taught me not to worry about past events that didn't go my way, or people who need to create chaos to avoid the appearance of their own insecurities. There is always something better waiting for you, so don't waste time on wasteful people. Shake it off and move on.

 “When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.”  – Helen Keller

America the Beautiful... St.Johnsbury, Vermont: Dog Mountain

Stephen Huneck was a writer, artist and self-taught sculpture. He and his wife, Gwendolyn, purchased 150 acres in St. Johnsbury, Vermont in 1995. Five years later, after surviving a near-death experience, Stephen had a vision to build a dog chapel. 'A place where people can go and celebrate the spiritual bond they have with their dogs.' Dog Mountain- which included a chapel, hiking trails, ponds for swimming, and the Stephen Huneck Gallery, officially opened on Memorial Day weekend in 2000.

Stephen Huneck believed in the healing powers of dogs, nature, art and love. He wrote ten books inspired by his black lab, Sally. Upon opening the dog chapel, he asked people to write special notes and share photos of their beloved dogs. The walls are covered with these notes and photos; and new ones are added daily. Unfortunately, Stephen's battle with depression took his life on January 7, 2010. His wife, Gwendolyn, passed away in June 2013. The dedication of volunteers and donations helps  continue Stephen's vision of a place where dogs roam free and people share the special bond between humans and their forever loyal companions.

This July, after my Maggie passed, I visited Dog Mountain. I placed her photo on the wall in the chapel. The thousands of cards and photos expressing the grief and unconditional love people have for their pets was overwhelming. Watching unleashed dogs roam the trails and jump in the ponds filled my heart with joy. Dog Mountain is a glimpse of what all our pets must see as they cross the Rainbow Bridge. How fortunate we are to Stephen Huneck for given us the opportunity to experience it on earth.

God Bless America.

for more information visit www.dogmt.com

When It's Family...You Include the Neighborhood

It is impossible for me to reflect on childhood memories without recalling the neighborhood. How fortunate to grow up during a time when the neighborhood was a vital part of the community.

I remember bike rides, pool parties, picnics, clubhouses, kickball games and enjoying popsicles in the summer evenings. There were hot days spent at the picnic table under the tree with my coloring book & 64 Crayola crayon box, creating pot holders with my loom, or playing with my little wooden people- yes, real wood, how did I survive! Rainy days playing board games such as Sorry, Monopoly or Password. Resting in the afternoon on the hammock with a Nancy Drew book, or- do I dare say- Tiger Beat Magazine.

A place that meant block parties, old couples sitting on the porch waving to children on their bicycles, lawnmowers playing a song in unison, and laundry hanging from clotheslines. Pleasant interruptions to sign for a neighbors package, visit with the Avon lady or let the waterman in the house to read the meter. Children reprimanded by neighbors for misbehaving and children obeyed; there was no blury boundary for inappropriate behavior.

The neighborhood felt as safe as your own backyard. Neighbors became extended family to help nuture the necessary life skills of compassion, respect and kindness. Compassion to accept people's differences. Respect towards all ages, ethnicities and race. Kindness in our actions & communications with members of the community. 

“Where there is not community- trust, respect, ethical behavior are difficult for the young to learn and for the old to maintain.”
― Robert K. Greenleaf, Servant As Leader

Maggie's Thought for the Week: Keep Your Blanket Close

While preparing to bring home Maggie for the first time, I visited a retail store to purchase a few items. The best advice I received from a co-worker was to buy a baby blanket for the puppy. The blankets are soft, small and the puppy would be able to pull the blanket around the house. I selected a Winnie-the-Pooh blanket.

The first week with Maggie, I would place the blanket on her, kiss her goodnight and she would snuggle with the blanket in her bed. One evening, another blanket was close by, so I placed that on her and kissed her goodnight. As I walked towards the stairs, Maggie got out of her bed and followed me. I told her it was time for bed, but she gave me a confused look. I noticed the Winnie-the-Pooh blanket by her toys and picked it up. She immediately walked back towards her bed. I placed this blanket on her, kissed her goodnight and walked towards the stairs again. I glanced quickly at her and she laid in her bed, snuggling with her blanket.

Maggie kept her blanket close when I wasn't near her. The blanket and this night-time routine were comforting for her. We all have an item that either makes us feel safe or invokes sweet memories.We all have little routines or habits that bring security to our daily lives.

The Winnie-the-Pooh blanket tattered & thinned during Maggie's five years of life. The security and comfort she received from it never frayed.

America the Beautiful...Groom, Texas

I love to travel. People often ask if I have traveled outside of the United States. My answer- Why? America is beautiful, diverse and offers a myriad of culture.

One summer, while driving across I-40 in Texas, I came upon a cross. At the time, it was advertised as the largest cross in the Western Hemisphere. I learned the cross was built by a man from Pampa, Texas. He was disgusted by all the advertising on I-40 to Amarillo (former Route 66). The cross stands nineteen stories high, an arm span of 110 feet, and weighs 1,250 tons. On a clear day, it can be seen twenty miles away from where it stands in Groom, Texas; 42 miles east of Amarillo.

In July of 1995, life-size statues of the fourteen stations of the cross were added. Ten million people visit the cross and gift shop every year. God Bless America.