Anything is Possible!

With Love, Hope, and Perseverance


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SoCS: For the Love of Pets

Today’s prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “a picture from wherever.” When you sit down to write your post, find a picture, whether in a magazine, newspaper, or even product packaging. Write whatever thought or emotion the picture provokes. Enjoy!

My daughter who is 29 has not lived here for years but sometimes magazines, like People, get delivered here for her that she did not order and does not want. I don’t want them either, but sometimes I flip through them. This ad at the back of the magazine stood out to me:

Can you imagine being in a domestic violence situation and not feeling you can escape because you can’t take your dog or cat with you? I don’t want to think about it too much, but this is a project I can get behind. Pets are family.

You can read more about The Purple Leash Project here.

I think if you donate, you get a purple leash. I don’t really need another leash, though I do like the color purple. I have a bunch of leashes along with collars, and other tools that a highly reactive dog needs. I never thought I’d want to try an “e collar,” but after David and I having injuries from Marley’s lunges, we’ve accepted this recommendation from the trainer.

We’ve made progress. Last night I walked Marley to the park by myself. On the way back, we saw a cat on the other side of the street. Marley was intensely interested. I could feel the tension in his body. My job is to stay calm and confident and to remember to use all my tools. He responded well to a firm, “LEAVE IT!” along with a collar vibration. The collar vibe goes to 100. He responds to 10 to 15 in the backyard but needs at least 20 to 30 on neighborhood walks depending on the situation. In time, we should be able to reduce these levels. It’s like a tens machine. I’m learning to be vigilant and avoid high risk situations. Without this tool, I don’t think we’d be able to safely walk in the neighborhood. Marley has pulled me down more than once, and David’s hand is still healing after surgery and ongoing PT after one of Marley’s lunges.

Speaking of healing, David is feeling better after eight days of covid. He still tires easily but is doing a little more every day. Miraculously, I have had two negative home tests and seem to have been spared any significant symptoms. We’ve been keeping our distance and, though we’re living in the same house, have missed close contact. I especially miss hugs which are about to resume. Marley has been getting more hugs lately since I’ve tested negative. I still don’t get right in his face yet.

Last week, I had stopped Marley from bringing his ancient, tattered ball in the house three times before going to get my phone to take this video. Each time he would drop the ball then pick it back up when I opened the door. The ball did not stay in the house.


And let’s not forget Mama Cat on her side of the house…

~~~

For more picturesque streams of consciousness, along with rules, etc.

visit out host, Linda G. Hill by clicking HERE.


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Good News Tuesday for June 7, 2022: Nanofibers that Work Like Muscle, Israeli – UAE Trade Agreement, Donating Breast Milk, Bystanders Help Lift Car in Accident, and a Personal Update

Seeking Balance One Tuesday at a Time

Engineers have Developed a Nanofiber that Performs Like a Muscle

Researchers at the University of Texas and Penn State University were trying to make membranes for water filtration, but the structures they made were too long – stretching out like muscle tissue. The researchers then shifted focus to develop nanofibers that can used in robotics and prosthetic limbs. This article came from my 1440 Daily Digest.

Israel and United Arab Emirates Reach a Trade Agreement

Israel and the United Arab Emirates signed a free trade agreement last week. The agreement is the latest product of the two countries’ historic normalization deal in 2020 known as the Abraham Accords. CNBC has details.

Donating Breastmilk

Breastfeeding can be a little challenging at first. So can pumping. New mom Lucie Fink shared about her journey and how to donate breast milk on TikTok. Here’s more from CNN Heroes.

Bystanders Rush to Help in Vehicle Accident

When a man and woman on a motorcycle were hit from behind, good Samaritans rushed to help.

Personal Update:

My husband David is feeling better after testing positive for covid five days ago. He was sleeping a lot but has more energy this morning. I got a negative test result on a home test a few minutes ago. That’s no guarantee of course, and we’re still keeping our distance.

Got Good News?

Please share your good news in the comments!


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Good News Tuesday for Dec. 21, 2021: Home for the Holidays, Biodegradable Batteries, Student with Perfect Score Helps Others, and Henry the Hero Dog

Seeking Balance One Tuesday at a Time

Home for the Holidays

After 100 days in the hospital fighting covid complications, Autumn Carter is home for the holidays. Autumn caught covid while pregnant with her third child who was healthy. She had no pre-existing conditions and had been advised previously not to get vaccinated. Her husband Zach spent most of the 100 days by her side at the hospital while grandparents took care of the three children. Autumn went home on December 1st. Here are details and family photos from Good Morning America.

Biodegradable Batteries

Scientists at a Singapore University have developed durable zinc batteries made of electrodes printed on cellulose paper. After use, the batteries reportedly biodegrade in soil within one month. Learn more about this remarkable invention at the Good News Network.

Student with Perfect ACT Score Works to Level the Playing Field

High School senior Dia Chawla, who goes to a private school in Mississippi, got a perfect score on her ACT test. But Dia believes the standardized test used for US college admissions is a test of preparation, not intelligence. She’s created the ACT Diversity Preparation Club where she helps minority students prepare for the test. Good Morning America has more about this extraordinary young woman and her work.

Henry the Hero Dog Saved Baby’s Life

A Boston Terrier knew his 9-month-old baby “sister” needed help, so he insisted on going into her room and waking her up to alert Mom and Dad. Here’s the story:

Got Good News?

Please feel free to share in the comments!

May your holidays be holy, safe, and filled with many joyful moments!

(from one of my favorite Christmas cards)


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Get the Damn Shot

This came from the Facebook post of my friend and former supervisor.

On an even more sobering note, my friend Wayne who was in ICU, died on Monday. I am still having trouble believing it. He was ten years younger than me. After years of addiction, Wayne worked hard on recovery then went back to school and got his masters degree in psychology. He led by example and from his heart to help countless numbers of people on the journey from addiction to recovery. During his final weeks in ICU, Wayne posted that his health care team was begging him to tell people to get vaccinated. The vaccine might have saved his life. He leaves behind a loving, grieving family and a huge recovery community who will always remember him.

Rest in peace, Wayne. Enjoy those heavenly beaches!

One Liner Wednesday is brought to us by Linda Hill. For more one-liners and guidelines visit Linda’s blog:


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SoCS: Thanks for the Vaccination Nudge

My friend Mary who is a pediatrician nudged me to get vaccinated early this year. I wasn’t in any hurry and might not have even been vaccinated if she hadn’t nudged me early on with a link to a local clinic. I wanted to see what happened. I knew from my side effects to the flu shot, that my side effects to the covid vaccine were likely to be significant, and they were. But now, I’m glad I got the shots.

Saturday I dropped some school supplies off to a community organizer. We chatted in her living room without masks. I had mine in my pocket, but knew we’d both been vaccinated. She offered me a hug as I was about to leave, and I accepted warmly. Not sorry about that. But maybe it wouldn’t have hurt to wear a mask. I found out yesterday that she tested positive for covid. I think she’s okay, but her daughter is in the hospital.

I’ve heard of a lot of people who were vaccinated testing positive for covid, but their symptoms are mild compared to people who have not been vaccinated. My friend who tested positive but was NOT vaccinated has been in ICU for three weeks and on a ventilator. He is ten years younger than me. He’s also a wonderful person who has done a lot for the community. God, I hope he’s going to be okay. Lots of people are praying.

I am thankful for my doctor friend nudging me to get vaccinated. I’m feeling okay, recovering from plantar fascitis and a pulled muscle in my back. My body is good at healing, if maybe slower than it used to be. Still, I think I’m going to lay low, take it easy, and wear my mask when I go anywhere. Life is precious.

Some of these photos are from the farm animal sanctuary where I prepare lunch on Thursdays.

Our Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday was: “my.” Start your post with the word “My.” Bonus points if you end your post with “yours.” Enjoy!

For more streams of consciouness along with rules visit out host, Linda Hill at this link.


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SoCS: The End Can Also Be the Beginning

Your prompt for #JusJoJan and Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: “the beginning, the end.” Write about the beginning of something and the end of  something. Bonus points if your first sentence contains “the end” and your last sentence contains “the beginning.” <– Read that again. Have fun!

The end can also be the beginning.

The end of COVID could be the beginning of gratitude and appreciation… that’s redundant. And it was going so well at first.

You can start your day (or Stream of Consciousness post) over at any time.

The end of COVID could be the beginning of gratitude for hugs and freedom to travel. Gratitude for the earth and arts we’ve embraced more fully. Gratitude for teachers, health care, and science.

The end of my first marriage was the beginning of a long grief process which had to come before loving myself again, which had to come before any healthy relationship involving romance.

The end of tenth grade was when my first boyfriend left town to move back to Connecticut. That was the beginning of the summer and there was a second boyfriend by the end of the summer.

The end of my daughter’s high school graduation triggered the Universe (directed by God) to direct my first boyfriend from tenth grade to message me, just out of curiosity.

The end of my first boyfriend’s career in 2011 was the beginning of his move to North Carolina with his three crazy dogs.

The end of my career in 2017 was the beginning of finding myself again, my authentic self, coming back home to art and creative pursuits of the heart.

The end of the Trump administration could mean healing the great political divide if we would just listen to each other and stop watching the news. Except for Good News Tuesday here on this blog. Well, maybe we need to watch a little other news. If we could just have FACTS, like, Joe Biden is president of the US, and when COVID vaccines are really available, and where. But I digress.

The end of the news programs, mainstream ones, usually include a bit of good news, which should also be in the middle and in the beginning. Good news, bad news, Good news, bad news, Good news. Like that. Good news in the beginning.

Did you ever have an ending that turned into the beginning?

Stream of Consciousness Saturday and Just Jot January are hosted by Linda Hill. For more information, visit:

The Friday Reminder for #SoCS & #JusJoJan 2021 Daily Prompt – Jan. 30th | (lindaghill.com)