SoCS: Life is Precious with Old Dogs and Dogwoods

March 28, 2020 by JoAnna 29 Comments

Our Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday was “beside you.” Linda says: “…write about whatever is beside you when you read this prompt. Not when you sit down to write, but whatever is beside you right now. Take note of it if you think you might forget. Enjoy!”

Well that’s different! When I read the prompt a few minutes ago, I was sitting on the couch by myself, so there was nothing beside me but the couch cushion. I had been thinking about picking up Mary Moo and putting her beside me while I was looking to see if there’s anything I want to have on the TV while I do this SoCS. The TV is often background noise because that’s how I was brought up, though I’ve had it off all day since Star Trek was not on BBC today.

I’m breaking the rules now and re-writing from this point the post I wrote earlier, before I read the sobering statistics which are more than just statistics. I’m still trying to do the SOC thing, though. I wrote about my old dog Mary Moo and getting up with her Thursday at 2am when I heard her whining. She was standing in her bed with her head bent over on the floor and couldn’t figure out how to get out of this position. It’s like “head pressing” which is where a neurological problem makes a dog stand with head pressed against the wall. I think it’s comforting for them – gives a sense of security. Mary is almost 18 and losing strength in her back legs. She’s also deaf and almost blind. Any day now it might be time to say goodbye.

I think I’ve been trying to escape from the reality of the coronavirus. But tonight, after I typed up my first SoCS post with too many details about my old dog while I was feeling a little sorry for myself, my perspective changed when I read about how many people have died in such a short time. It was like my heart dropped into my stomach.

Deep breath.

Life is precious. Every moment is precious, even getting up with an old dog or a baby in the middle of the night. Every day is precious whether rainy or sunny. Every dogwood blossom is precious.  Every bee and every bird.

For those who have not met Mary Moo, this is one of my favorite photos of her:

Mary Moo in the Back Yard Jungle

Here’s another picture of Mary Moo from years ago when we were on a road trip.

Oh, yeah. Saturday (tomorrow as I write this) is Earth Hour is at 8:30 PM. Turn off the lights for an hour for the earth. Oh, I have to turn off the TV too. Maybe I’ll play my guitar.

Here are some photos I’ve been taking around my yard lately. Wait, I have to find something you haven’t seen already. I’ll be back. In the mean time, stay well and stay safe.

 

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For more streams of consciousness, more info, or to join in,

please visit our host, Linda Hill at:

https://lindaghill.com/2020/03/27/the-friday-reminder-and-prompt-for-socs-march-28-2020/

Here are the rules: (which I usually follow)
1. Your post must be stream of consciousness writing, meaning no editing (typos can be fixed), and minimal planning on what you’re going to write.
2. Your post can be as long or as short as you want it to be. One sentence – one thousand words. Fact, fiction, poetry – it doesn’t matter. Just let the words carry you along until you’re ready to stop.
3. I will post the prompt here on my blog every Friday, along with a reminder for you to join in. The prompt will be one random thing, but it will not be a subject. For instance, I will not say “Write about dogs”; the prompt will be more like, “Make your first sentence a question,” “Begin with the word ‘The,’” or will simply be a single word to get you started.
4. Ping back! It’s important, so that I and other people can come and read your post! For example, in your post you can write “This post is part of SoCS:” and then copy and paste the URL found in your address bar at the top of this post into yours. Your link will show up in my comments for everyone to see. The most recent pingbacks will be found at the top. NOTE: Pingbacks only work from WordPress sites. If you’re self-hosted or are participating from another host, such as Blogger, please leave a link to your post in the comments below.
5. Read at least one other person’s blog who has linked back their post. Even better, read all of them! If you’re the first person to link back, you can check back later or go to the previous week by following my category, “Stream of Consciousness Saturday,” which you’ll find below the “Like” button on my post.
6. Copy and paste the rules (if you’d like to) in your post. The more people who join in, the more new bloggers you’ll meet and the bigger your community will get!
7. As a suggestion, tag your post “SoCS” and/or “#SoCS” for more exposure and more views.
8. Have fun!