Have a dog, or get one, or borrow one….When you’ve been deep in your head for a while, it’s important to touch something warm and alive, something mortal….While the dogs sniff a single blade of grass for two minutes, I find myself looking around. I notice a raptor overhead, an interesting human face, an overheard conversation, something discarded or forgotten in the grass. Be here for the writing life and be here for the real life. Each needs the other.
– Chelsey Johnson, from “Chelsey Johnson Recommends” in Poets & Writers (May 10, 2018)
Photo: via Newthom

He’s so adorable. I guess I’ll forgive you for skipping a Lightly this morning.
Laughing…
I wanted all the signs that today was going to be ok. A big day. I wake up, no Lightly. I didn’t see color again until I heard the news I wanted, “Congratulations. You are now a Citizen of the United States of America. ” I almost replied to the judge, “But, there was no lightly this morning!”
Ha! Still laughing…
Wonderful! congratulations from all…welcome…you brought the Lightly in your mind! Gee, David is powerful!
Thank you Valerie ☺
Yes, the Lightly was on my mind. As in “If I don’t get it I must take it Lightly.” David is a great inspiration, always.
Congratulations Sawsan and welcome, so to speak. Our country is the richer for your presence….
Thank you, Lori ❤
Now I can vote. And I vote David starts looking for his dog, with Susan’s blessings, please!
Whoa. I totally missed that. Sawsan, you became a US Citizen this week?
Yes, yesterday 😊
Wow. Congratulations!
Thank you, David!
We know you need one, we know you want one! Can’t you just go get one? 🐶🐶🐶
Laughing. If I did, I’d have nothing to post about!
I doubt that! 😂 Imagine all the aaaahs and ooooohs you’d get if you got another puppy! 🐶🐶🐶
Truth!
What are you waiting for David?
No idea Michael!
If you were your own line manager what would you be saying to the team member who said he had no idea?! You know where I’m going with this mister!
Laughing. You were so missed!
Oh yes, you do…
Oh Yes, I do. 😀
It should be dear David, yes, we can’t forget them but always so nice to have a new friend, I will be happy as much as you…. Wonderful post that I read this morning, you are amazing Thank you, have a nice day and weekend, Love, nia
Thank you Nia!
´course you do…´ ;);) 😉
😀
You’re late to this party, pal. We all know you’ve been needing one for months. Father’s Day is just around the corner…maybe Susan and the kids will hook you up. 😁
Hmmmm, Or go to Tortola.
Been to Tortola. It’s nice, but a dog will make you smile much, much longer….
No doubt!
who would not love being greeted by this face each and every day?
So true!
Yes. I’m sure we all await an announcement.
Don’t hold your breath Sandy…
Yes. you. do.
You know what I’m thinking 🤔
Oh, I know. I know.
The heart knows.
so much more than the head. Have a great weekend Val.
Thanks Dave. You too.
Had to come back – you know you do…. – it’s just a question of stalling a bit longer – but somewhere a puppy is (im)patiently waiting for you to come and pick it up 🙂
And I swear your life will be SOOOOOO much better ever after. Even better….
You are so right!
I have grand-dogs, one who is strikingly similar in looks to our beloved Frankie. He’s goofy and adorable and it’s all I can do to stop slobbering all over him when he visits. His name is Sully. Our other Grand-dog is Roscoe, smart and hilarious. So while I don’t have a dog myself yet, I’m thankful that our boys do ~ you’ll know when it’s time. <3 MJ
Awwwww….thanks for sharing MJ
” I notice a raptor overhead” …we enjoyed sitting in the backyard earlier this week watching a group of twelve Turkey Vultures gathering, gliding in the thermals…and one day recently she called us outside to witness a crow, attack hassling a Red Tail Hawk, the cry of the Hawk unmistakable…i always look skyward when I heard that cry…as I am delighted to see a Hawk in flight…
Cry of the hawk. Wow.