Here is the fundamental issue: Most dogs do not like to be forced to go out to do their business when it is raining. Even dogs that love to swim and fetch things in water don’t usually appreciated water falling on them from above. It’s a totally different sensation than leaping joyfully into the water for a lovely swim or to retrieve a favorite stick. But neither you nor they really like big messes left on the carpet. They are highly embarrassed because they know it’s against the rules, and they very much want to please you. You, of course, don’t want to clean up the mess. So. They need to go out, but often neither of you are very happy about it. Even when my husband and I were still living in our house, our dog Zoe refused to go potty in the rain even if we forced her…

I am finding myself somewhat nostalgic and sad lately. The daylight is beginning to fade sooner and sooner, and while fall is usually my favorite season, September 2 marked the first year anniversary of my husband’s death. So I have been looking through family pictures of late, and went searching for these, as they are among my favorites of the past year – the first year without my husband of 44 years. While the post itself is far longer than six words, the title is exactly six, so I hope I can still use the Six Word Saturday hashtag.

I have written before about the fact that my good friends, Martha and Arthur, and I share our two dogs. Theirs is Teddy the Labradoodle and mine is Zoë the Miniature Schnauzer. When my husband and I returned to Northern California three and a half years ago and moved into our…

Hannah Keene 2019

The Fall display at our local Trader Joe’s.

Posted for Six Word Saturday.

I’ve bought one of those FitBit things.  It now sits on my wrist in place of my watch and not only does it tell me what the time is, it also nags at my conscience in a very subtle way to complete 10,000 steps every day.  Out I go every morning and evening for the 2 mile walk around the village if I’m not working (4250 steps x 2), or on work days there’s a 25 minute hike to the hospital (3000 steps) and back from where I park the car, and sundry trips around the hospital looking for patients’ notes.  These and a few other shorter walks during the day ensures my conscience is clear when I go to bed (it can even tell me how much sleep I’m getting).

It’s cheaper than if I owned a dog to make me get out and do exercise,  and I don’t…

Oh God, my enemy’s who hurt my heart  I must love,
 I cling to your teachings and the affection you sent
 With your beloved son Jesus who now reigns above.
 In my life, I am never worthy of your love, for I’m bent.

 The sinful thing that I am, born this way, and yet you love,
 This weak and utterly disappointing person living in me
 Oh, Jesus my Savior who was always white as the dove
 Forgives my hideous sins committed that in me, you see.

 My heart cries out for you in times when my body is weak,
 It is your devoted love I yearn for and so cling to so fast
 Oh, Father, I humble myself to you, as your counsel I seek
 For all things present that cause me such pain in the past.

 In your loving arms my dearest Jesus I pray that you hold me,