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SoCS: Mats, Mutts, and Mosaics

29 Comments

Today’s prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “mat/met/mitt/mot/mutt.” Choose one or use them all, any way you’d like in your post. Have fun!

I’m not planning a bit, even a minimal as the rules allow if I recall. Not to say I plan a lot or at all on other weeks, but sometimes I mull over the prompt before I start writing the stream. Today, I’m just writing.

No idea what to do with mot. Mottled? Is mot a word? should I look it up? Na. Not right now. I’ll go to the mat. I got a really thick yoga mat for my feet and knees, but it’s harder to balance on, so I went back to the regular yoga mat that lives in my car waiting to go to yoga class. The thick mat might come in handy if I ever go camping again or want to lie out on the deck.

We’ve used an old yoga mat for Marley to practice staying in “PLACE.” We should practice that more and not just use it when we practice being calm and lying down when Mama Cat is on the other side of the gate. The command comes in handy, and Marley’s pretty good at it in situations where there is control and Mama Cat stays behind the gate. We would not try it otherwise. Maybe one day….

Marley’s still a bit fixated

David has been getting Marley to lie down when they see a cat on walks – just until he is calmer, though Marley is on high alert when there’s a cat around outside. He’s become less reactive to squirrels, but when the squirrels get close to taunt my mutt, he gets excited.

Mutts are great dogs. I’ve read that they are often healthier with a diverse mix of genes. I don’t know if I like the word mutt as it’s got a sort of negative connotation. Mixed breed might be better. Heinze 57 is okay, I guess, but could there really be a dog with 57 different breeds all mixed together like a melting pot? Who knows? I know there are plenty of mutts and mixed breeds who need homes.

There’s a quote by Jimmy Carter about how we’re not a melting pot, but something better. I’ll go fetch it.

We become not a melting pot

but a beautiful mosaic.

Different people, different beliefs,

different yearnings,

different hopes, different dreams.

Jimmy Carter

A woman at my church, Alice, is a kitchen designer. For fun she makes mosaics from tiles, broken glass, found objects, and melted marbles. She’s donated several to our church. Here are some of her creations:

Mother Nature also makes mosaics:

Maybe one day I’ll make a mosaic out of my big bottle cap collection.

~~~

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Author: JoAnna

An open minded, tree-hugging Jesus follower, former counselor, and life-long lover of animals, I'm returning to my creative roots and have published my first book: Trust the Timing, A Memoir of Finding Love Again as well as the short version: From Loneliness to Love.

29 thoughts on “SoCS: Mats, Mutts, and Mosaics

  1. The mosaics are gorgeous, JoAnna. Alice is very artistic and creative.

    My good friend tells her beagle/chihuahua mix to “place” on her beds in the kitchen and livingroom. Lita is adorable, but a live wire, so my friend has been teaching her various commands to keep her from going off the rails. She and I both found that a sweater or vest helps to calm Lita and my kitten Hoshi when they get a little out of control. It seems to be like a thundershirt of sorts. Well, I hope some day Marley and Mama Cat can be friends or at least tolerate one another. Happy Saturday!

    • Thanks for sharing that experience. We did use a place cot originally which is good for clarity. Mama Cat seems curious about Marley as long as he is still. I’m glad you enjoyed Alice’s mosaics which have been in our parish hall windows for years now. I will let her know how much we appreciate them. Happy Sunday! 🙂

  2. Hello.
    Nice stream of consciousness! I enjoyed the mix of thoughts and musings on mot, mutts, and mosaics.
    Thanks for sharing.

  3. Great stream of consciousness! I love the idea of using an old yoga mat for a dog’s training, and the comparison between mutts and a beautiful mosaic is very touching. Keep up the good work!

  4. I had to look up “mot” because I was clueless what it meant. Apparently, it’s a pithy saying. Who knew?

    Love the Jimmy Carter quote and the mosaics.

  5. Mama Cat is taunting Marley…

  6. Hi JoAnna, this is a great post. I enjoyed hearing about Marley and the cats. Your friend, Alice’s creations are wonderful.

  7. I love Alice’s mosaics. Mother Nature shows the way!

  8. I love President Carter’s quote.

  9. Wow, that’s a great talent. It reminds me of many of the stained-glass windows I saw in cathedrals in Europe.

  10. I loved the quote from Jimmy Carter. Thank you for sharing it.

  11. I enjoyed the read. Fun. And the photos, delightful. XoXo

  12. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and lovely pictures!!.. I don’t dwell on why or what to write but find a quiet time, a cup of tea and let my fingers to the walking, my heart do the talking and Que Sera Sera… 🙂

    Don’t label creatures here on the path because each and every one is one of a kind, unique and has a special place in the universe and Marley would be looked upon as the special creature he is… 🙂

    JUST MY DOG
    He is my other eyes that can see above the clouds;
    My other ears that hear above the winds.
    He is the part of me that can reach out into the sea.

    He has told me a thousand times over that I am his reason for being:
    By the way he rests against my leg
    By the way he thumps his tail at my smallest smile
    By the way he shows his hurt when I leave without taking him.
    (I think it makes him sick with worry when he
    is not along to care for me.)

    When I am wrong, he is delighted to forgive.
    When I am angry, he clowns to make me smile.
    When I am happy, he is joy unbounded.
    When I am a fool, he ignores it.
    When I succeed, he brags.
    Without him, I am only another person. ,With him, I am all-powerful.
    He is loyalty itself., He has taught me the meaning of devotion.
    With him, I know a secret comfort and a private peace.

    He has brought me understanding where before I was ignorant.
    His head on my knee can heal my human hurts.
    His presence by my side is protection against, my fears of dark and unknown things.
    He has promised to wait for me…, whenever…wherever–in case I need him.
    And I expect I will–as I always have.
    He is just my dog.
    (Author Gene Hill…)

    Hope all is well in your part of the universe and until we meet again..

    May the road rise to meet you
    May the wind be always at your back
    May the sun shine warm upon your face
    The rains fall soft upon your fields
    May green be the grass you walk on
    May blue be the skies above you
    May pure be the joys that surround you
    May true be the hearts that love you.
    (Irish Saying)

  13. A true wild ride along with your thoughts. The biodiversity of genes is definitely a plus in animals. The term “mutt” is only a ‘put down’ when it’s used by “purebreds”. LOL

  14. Thanks for sharing these thoughts. I love these mosaics..Anita

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