summer living
blackberries glistening
lights dancing in the sun
spiders escaping
fighting thorns and prickles
blood stained fingers
quickly gathering
in competition with
my four-legged
companion
for the sparkling
berries
dancing in the sun
momwhearingloss
The last few weeks I’ve been biking to work and last week as I was getting my bag ready for my commute and my day at work, I looked out the front door and thought what is wrong with the sun? The sun looked apocalyptic and the air seemed to be thick and suffocating and then I realized the sun’s rays were burning through smoke in the air giving a doomsday feeling to the sky. The Sunshine Coast in British Columbia was on fire and the effects were felt throughout the lower mainland. The smell of smoke lingered through the air and when I went outside, I felt a burning sensation in my eyes. I decided to leave the bike at home that day and drive releasing more fuel emissions to the air adding to the smog. As I looked around at all of us ridiculous people sitting in the comforts of air-conditioned vehicles, I thought about what world scientists are saying. They’re saying we need to change our ways now and as I looked up into the sky at the Armageddon sun, I thought “we are so screwed.”
It’s taken me quite a few years to commit to a dog again. Three years ago I bought two guinea pigs so I could avoid the dog issue. The plan backfired because the excitement lasted two days and I ended up being the caretaker of guinea pigs. Guinea pigs that ended up sick and many nights I was up all night feeding water, medication and giving tender loving care to very sick animals. Guinea’s are smart, cute and lovable but I can’t say I’m really a guinea pig person. I started to think about a dog a year ago and I knew I wanted a Shepherd. Last Sunday we went for a drive to several SPCA’s in search of a dog not really expecting to find one. We visited four animal shelters and the last shelter we visited, we met him. I asked the staff if our family could spend time with him and after spending an hour with the dog, he felt like he was a part of our family. The only problem – his name is Chaos. I really don’t need chaos in my life so as I was writing up the application to adopt him, I told the boys we have to change his name. Adopting a dog named Chaos seems to be asking for trouble. The boys love the name and Chaos responds very well to his name. The lady at the SPCA told me that I might cause Chaos confusion by changing his name so I changed the spelling – I spelled it KAOS – makes me feel like I somehow have control over the Chaos entering our lives!
Enjoyed Canada Day with my family and friends breathing in the many sights, smells and sounds of our beautiful country. Arrived at the beach about two in the afternoon, swam, played frisbee, threw a football, watched my friend’s dog swim for the first time, watched kites, talked, laughed and ate hamburgers and hotdogs. Politics, work and stress put aside for one day.
MOMWHEARINGLOSS 