practice 'Happiness Manifesto' daily

This is what I am grateful for on this day. I have driven by that park countless times and all through Rocky’s long illness and Spike’s frailty had often wished I could roll back the clock and walk them. On the day that Spike died, I went to the park and watched all the dogs running around joyfully and playing in the park. It was good to remember how a dog is supposed to live. These days Cinnie and I go up there almost every day. Both of us love it. She’s not trained enough to be off the leash but that day is coming soon.

Today it was gorgeous. 50 plus degrees and bright and sunny. The paths run high so you can see for miles and to the west, towards Boulder, you can see the snowcapped Flat Irons. To the East you can see the skyrises of Denver. Simply beautiful.

A field trip to the Molly Brown House in Denver. I have been wanting to go for some time but never could persuade H to go on such an estrogen filled outing. So, now I am going with a group of older women. It’s been difficult for me to find friends my own age here but heck, I have always gotten along better with older people. I am grateful for the opportunity to do this and I am determined to have fun.

I read an article recently that echoed my own thinking in this area: experiences make you happier than possessions. So, here’s to experiences!

Not strictly part of the “happiness manifesto” but absolutely and completely necessary for me. I won’t go into detail here but part of what I have been indulging in is a kind of self flagellation. Why keep doing this to myself? If it doesn’t add to the quality of my life, it must go!

This one is more important than ever because I am struggling right now. I lost Rocky, posted on this site as one of the things that made me happy, yesterday. He had Cushings, diabetes and a host of other ailments so I knew it was time. It does not make it any easier. It is in the early hours of the morning right now and I cannot sleep out of grief.

Losing a pet is like losing a piece of your heart or a limb. Some people cannot live without animals and I am one of them. They are pieces of my soul. Some people say that animal lovers substitute animals for people and perhaps that is true; however, I believe that animal lovers are people born with a great capacity to love and only animals, and a few, rare, people know how to accept that. What I am struggling to do right now is not to dwell on the loss but be warmed and thankful for the memories I have with him.

He helped me through some really rough times like losing my Dobe Zara, my horse, Winter, my parents’ near divorce, my mother’s stroke, and the loss of my job a few years ago. He would do that by literally lying on my chest over my heart but I have nothing right now to help me get through these days without him. If he were a person, he would not want me to mourn; the dead are not selfish. but also he was the ultimate pragmatist and happy by nature, yet I cannot seem to help it.

My only consolation is that I have nothing to be sorry for in this dog’s life. He knew without a shadow of a doubt that he was loved without condition. Some people never receive that. He was lucky. So was I, I guess, to have been born with this huge capacity to love also, despite the pain. He fully returned it. I won’t forget this—in all the remaining days of my life. It was the lesson of Rocky, and his gift.

While I was in the barn, I suddenly noticed I was smiling….

What am I grateful for today? The horses in my life. Yesterday I went out to ride Moon and today went out to see him again—and I found myself smiling. I didn’t even realize it until I went into the bathroom and caught sight of myself in the mirror. Of course, this has a lot to do with Moon, who is a true gentleman of a horse. He never crowds, never gets impatient but is always so very sweet. If you put a horn on his head, actually he would look very much like a unicorn right out of every little girl’s fantasy.

Plus, there is just something about being in a barn that is so very peaceful. Horses have the most wonderful oaty smell and when you mix that with leather, well, you can’t get much better than that.

I am not surprised that Christ is rumored to have been born in a barn. There’s something about the rhythmic sound of horses chewing that soothes the soul.

A beautiful day on the Colorado River in some of the most stunning scenery in the world.

Seeing Rocky Mountain longhorn sheep!

It is raining and gloriously damp and humid outside. It is just like England. I LOVE it! I was not feeling well yesterday but today I am very energized.

I went to the library today and laughed. It was so crowded. The librarian at the desk said that always happens because Coloradians are afraid to get wet. As for me, I want to play in the rain, run through the wet grass, and splash in great giant puddles!

Looking forward to vacation
Looking forward to whitewater rafting for the first time in a few weeks!
friends and H—for their care and help, and for at least trying to make me feel better!
Rocky dog cuddles
Seeing Lacy on Sunday and riding her for the first time.
Looking forward to dressage lesson today, despite massive headache. I will not cancel!

This is a tough one. Rough day@work. Guest from CA arriving this weekend. Partner with car troubles….etc

1. Commute to work under beautiful clear skies with a gorgeous view of the Flat Irons. Looks just like a postcard, I swear!
2. View of the Flat Irons from my office window.
3. Great people to work with/colleagues whom I respect.
4. House is getting into shape (finally) and looking more like a home instead of a warehouse ;).
5. Found riding gear without too much trouble.
6. Several old friends called.