Moving Sound The Trumpet Flowers

Toxic Trumpet Flowers

Whether Brugmansia or Datura — Angel's Trumpets or Devil's Trumpets — make no mistake, these flowers are highly toxic to mankind and to pets and animals.

Why? you might ask, use my picture of the white trumpet flower to announce that I am moving. My answer, quite simply, is that finding these flowers while walking with my dog Valentino this week seemed appropriate as I find myself teetering on the fence of mixed emotions in reaction to this inevitable move.

Sound The Triumphant Trumpets

Feeling trumpet-like and quite triumphant, we are leaving Florida, leaving behind our living in a toxic environment. (Enough said!)

Taken aback by many tepid reactions to our move, I have remained tenacious in my efforts to make a new and improved life for me and my dog Valentino. I have dodged many a thwarted plan to realize a pathway to a non-toxic life for us. Neither the naysayers nor those who choose not to encourage me in this move shall thwart this plan.

Moving From Florida To Ohio

I now have a job waiting for me and I have rented a home for me and my dog. Sound the Trumpets!

O-HI-O Ruthi aka abitosunshine Postcard by abitosunshine

Yes, this triumphant feeling has me looking forward to a move back to Ohio, the land of my birth. This move is made possible by many who are supporting me emotionally and financially. For these friends and strangers I will forever feel thankful.

I shall forgive those who chose to add to the toxicity in my life, for it is my nature to love even those who have a funny way of showing it in return. I shall never forget those who are encouraging me across every mile. These are the ones who are the light of my way home.

To hell with the devils among us! I hear the Angel's Trumpets ringing loud and clear, singing their trumpet-like song for me and Valentino — Triumphant, together.

I share my moving emotions beginning with the letter "T" this week in the ABC Challenge, my feelings being TRUMPET-LIKE and TRIUMPHANT.

NOTE: This will be my last submission until I am back up and writing from my new home. I will continue the ABC Challenge of Emotions upon my return. This link-up will remain open for you to share the links to your emotional articles in my absence.

Disclosure: Ruth Cox is an Associate of Amazon and of Zazzle and may earn income based on purchases made through links in this article.

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Sunny Side Up

I awoke to the beauty of a sunny day, glanced at the still sleeping hound at the foot of my bed, and somehow just knew ours was to be a sunny-side-up kind of day, come what may.

I immediately began to make it so. I fried up a pair of eggs for myself, adding an extra for my dog Valentino, of course. As I topped his breakfast bowl with warm egg yolk drizzling into his kibble, Valentino tap danced on the kitchen tile floor. When I knew he could wait no more, I sounded the Good boy, go! command.

While eating my pair of sunny-side up eggs on pita bread toast, the telephone rang. I smiled at the picture of an old friend in Ohio popping onto the cell phone screen. Ah! It really is the start of a grand day!

Valentino soon danced in front of me, begging for his morning walk. "No more time to talk," said I to my friend. "I need to walk my dog."

Then I grabbed my dog's harness and leash and out into the sunshine we went. We walked and jogged the neighborhood loop, took care of dog business, then walked the loop again.

We both drank our fill of cool water along our way and again upon our return home nearly an hour later. Temperatures were rising. It was going to be another hot and humid day under the Florida sunshine.

Enjoy my poetic creation, a visual display of the promise of a sweltry day, written in Cinquain poetry form.

Sunny-side Up Cinquain Picture Poem by Ruth Cox

And know this ... I plan to hold on to this sunny-side-up feeling all day long and then some!


Disclosure: Ruth Cox is an Associate of Amazon and may earn income based on purchases made through links in this article.

Join us for the ABC Challenge!

From this list of emotion words that begin with the letter "s" ... What word would you use to describe how you are feeling today?

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Ruth I Am

There came a time in my life when I began to appreciate my given name — Ruth. Yet, still, I must wonder about the gift of such a namesake.

In the beginning was a baby girl — ruthful — having a full life stretched out before her. In the end is an old woman — ruthless — having become less than she once was.

Then and Now - Ruth I Am

I am Ruth - Amazon Books

Through the passages of a life of strife, just like the biblical Ruth from whence my name came, there have been blessings for my ruth-full-ness of which I am grateful. Nonetheless, there are those times when my emotions get the better of me and I pen a poem from the tenderheartedness of Ruth.

Ruth I Am

©Ruth Cox

Ruth I am

Feeling ruthful.

Then I age

Growing fruitless

With no more

Living youthful

Still I do

Wander rootless

As of now

Speaking truthful

Ruth I am

Feeling ruthless.

RUTHFUL and RUTHLESS are my chosen words for the ABC Challenge of Emotions.

This week we are writing about our emotions beginning with the letter "R" and hope that you will share your feelings with us by linking up with an article of your own.

Disclosure: Ruth Cox is an Associate of Amazon and may earn income based on purchases made through links in this article.

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Quixotic Certainty

Recently, an impromptu discussion on a social site has me questioning the pathways I have traveled along my life journey. As we talked of growing where planted I wondered if I had moved on from a place before reaching the growing season.

My Vision in the Sky of Quixotic Certainty

I wonder if it is possible to return to that place from whence I came. Had I been planted there for a reason, perhaps to live through and to reap the full potential of rewards held within that season of growth? Would it be possible to meld the old, the bad, and the dark gray with the new, the good, and the brilliant blue?

Don Quixote by Cervantes

I daresay, I am feeling quite quixotic! I am about to embark on a road of life which may or may not have a positive outcome on my future, as well as that of others.

Why do this? one might ask. I plan to make this move because it is the right thing for me to do. I must believe good will prevail over seemingly insurmountable odds, as did the character Sancho in the literary classic Don Quixote.

As a realist, I believe that no matter the consequences of this decision, I will have climbed above that mountain of odds before me. In so doing, I will reach my full potential in my own emotional growth. Perhaps the miracle of following my feelings.

Like them or not, I cannot help but question whether the paths I have trod have led me to plant myself right where I need to grow. Back to my future I travel — taking no wrong exits and no infelicitous dead-end streets.

Note of thanks to Renda and Ben for their enlightening inspiration for this article.

Disclosure: Ruth Cox is an Associate of Amazon and of Zazzle and may earn income based on purchases made through links in this article.

My article topic for today begins with the letter "Q" for feeling QUIXOTIC.

Each week we share emotions from A to Z in the ABC Challenge.

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Tired of Feeling Pooped

I'm feeling pooped! Why? Because... Chit happens!

In all seriousness... There is a lot going on in my life (past, present, and probably future) so I have good reason to feel pooped. A dramatic life can be exhausting!

No doubt many of you will agree with me on what to do when life seems to dish out more than we think we can handle. For what I call "emotional constipation" I have the cure!

I'm gonna grab my shovel and scoop that poop right out of my life!

Life Pooper Scooper Postcard by abitosunshine
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Seriously, chit can that negative drama, and thinking, right out of your life, just like you would pooper-scooper up the "business" end of a dog's life.

Guess how you feel when you do... Just like the dog does when he's dumped his stuff. The dog is done and runs off full of energy, ready to have fun!

Our time for not feeling pooped has come. Our time for living life with a flair for fun has come. Let's go Scoop da Poop!

I feel better already, don't you?

My article topic for today begins with the letter "P" for feeling POOPED.

Each week we share emotions from A to Z in the ABC Challenge. Hop along with us!

Disclosure: Ruth Cox is a Zazzle associate and may earn income based on purchases made through links in this article.

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Over The Moon

Shop Amazon for Over The Moon

When everyday life things make me feel as if I may fall (or jump) over the edge of my world, it takes but a tidbit of sunshine to leave me feeling over the moon.

Now, I am one who believes that much-needed sunshine for my spirit can always be found no matter my life circumstances, no matter the darkness — IF I but open up my senses to see its light. And you can bet that when my life seems out of balance, I am learning that when I am more mindful of the moment I can better see what needs seeing.

For instance... Today I was feeling a bit off-kilter, for no special reason. I paused my fingers on the keyboard, turned and looked through the pass-thru from my work area to the living room. There my dog Valentino was lounging on his sofa, head raised off his pillow — looking back at me!

My dog Valentino looking back at me.

One look from Valentino sent me over the moon with warm emotion. I snapped a picture of my handsome fellow, gave him a petting and a snuggle, then back to my desktop computer I went with a smile in my spirit.

It takes but a small thing to change someone's emotional state. Your loving look, your smile, or the sound of your voice might surely be the sunshine that takes them from over the edge to over the moon.

Today, I am feeling over the moon!

My article topic for today begins with the letter "O" for feeling over the moon.

Each week we share emotions from A to Z in the ABC Challenge. Hop along with us!

Disclosure: Ruth Cox is an Associate of Amazon and may earn income based on purchases made through links in this article.

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Nihilistic Nothingness

Although I label myself a reality thinker, I now find myself drowning in negative thoughts and feelings of next to nothingness. I call this "nihilistic nothingness" for my own personal emotional state of mind.

Those who know me well can attest to my belief that negative has its place in my "one can always find a bit of sunshine peeking out of the clouds" pathway to positive thinking.

What this means for me is that I am generally able to allow negativity its rightful time and place in my life. I address it (perhaps even embrace it) then I move back, or forward to, a more positive state, that of being the woman behind the "abitosunshine" label of my life, online and off.

The Fault In Our Stars

Feeling Nihilistic

Mindful of my present life circumstances, I find myself up against a seemingly insurmountable mountain of nothingness. Perhaps a character in the book "The Fault In Our Stars" by John Green said it best.

"...the problem is not suffering itself or oblivion itself but the depraved meaninglessness of these things, the absolutely inhuman nihilism of suffering.”

Do I believe in nihilism? No; rather, I do (or did) not think so. However, my present thoughts and emotions surely seem to lean ever so slightly in that direction.

Am I, as Friedrich Nietzsche might say, in a life place where I "must experience nihilism" before I redefine the values upon which I am living my life? If this be truth, my suffering is not in vain. If this be truth, I will move to something — surely far better than feeling nihilistic nothingness.

Introduction to Nihilism

Yes, I am one who needs meaning and purpose to my life, regardless the time and circumstance from birth to death. I need to feel that I am living, not just existing or merely surviving.

As I share my feelings here today, I see just cause for more reflection on my next-to-nothingness reality.

Read all about the ABC Challenge of Emotions and join us here each week as we write and share our feelings from A to Z.

Disclosure: Ruth Cox is an Associate of Amazon and may earn income based on purchases made through links in this article.

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Live For Today the Mindfulness Way

MINDFULNESS

In order for us to live for today we must set aside those thoughts and feelings of our past and future that lead us astray from the present moment.

I was reminded of this mindfulness truism today on my morning walk with my dog Valentino. My mind was a million miles away while he was dragging my body to and fro to places we need not go. As I began to focus my attention on our walk I was then able to enjoy our time together, as it should be.

Feeling Mindful Today

I find it encouraging what mine eyes can see when mind, body, and spirit are bundled together as one. Look! I did not miss the gift of this enlightening palm tree!

The Mindfulness Way Postcard by abitosunshine
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Yes, setting aside my worries and woes, I am feeling mindful today. I am ready to accept the present for what it is, to live for the moment, to enjoy the gifts each day brings.

In putting mindfulness meditation into practice I am able to focus on feelings in the present moment. I am able to address, yet dismiss, my concerns for the future of my dog and my self, acknowledging past emotions but leaving them where they lay. (Perhaps buried like a dog bone to be dug up another day.)

The Mindful Poet

While on the topic of mindfulness, I would be remiss if I did not introduce you to my author friend, Susan Budig, the Mindful Poet. I've no doubt you will enjoy her collection of poetry as much as I.

For the 26-Week ABC Challenge of emotions, my feeling begins with the letter "M" — MINDFUL.

Read all about the ABC Challenge and join us here each week as we write and share our emotions from A to Z.

Disclosure: Ruth Cox is an Associate of Amazon and Zazzle and may earn income based on purchases made through links in this article.

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Justifiable Emotions

I am feeling knackered and low-spirited of late. Are these feelings justifiable? A tidbit of kvetching is on the agenda.

I am plumb worn out, emotionally and physically. And yes, I would enjoy a bit of cheese with my whine! (Perhaps a glass of wine is in order!)

Yes, I am feeling rather kvetchy these days, what with being sick for nearly a month during an already trying time. That said, yes again — I do feel justified in feeling knackered and low-spirited.

When "they" say a spring or summer cold hits one harder than a winter cold they are not kidding. This one lasted nearly a month and I am just now feeling good again — physically.

Of course, this means I now have the energy to get back to dealing with the emotional side of life things. I found myself in low spirits at the prospect of having to move, even more so when my original plan fell through. Now, I am planning to head back home to Ohio. Wherever I end up landing I will manage one way or another to keep a roof over the heads of me and my dog Valentino.

This past month or two has been truly tough with emotions running the gamut of good, bad, and ugly. However, my motivation to rise above this emotionally exhausting crisis is my love for my dog, the friends and strangers who are supporting me, and yes, my love of my family in Ohio.

I found a great quote on the World Prayers web site that pretty much says it all for me as I plan and work to make my life right in this journey. The site attributes the prayer to Confucius.

"To put the world right in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must first put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must first cultivate our personal life; we must first set our hearts right."

Though I may find myself feeling knackered along my way — I shall readily live with any regrets at the end of my life journey.

REGRETS STRETCHED CANVAS PRINT by abitosunshine

My topic today for the 26-Week ABC Challenge of emotions this week begins with letters "J, K, and L" — JUSTIFIABLE, KNACKERED, AND LOW-SPIRITED.

Read all about the ABC Challenge and join us here each week as we write and share emotions from A to Z.

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Infelicitous Dead End Street

When feeling ill at ease with where we are, it is a sure sign it is time to back up, return to that intersection, and turn the other way — before that infelicitous feeling takes over.

Who wants to live on an unhappy dead-end street forever?

Failure to read the signs on the road map of life which warn of possible danger ahead often leaves us feeling infelicitous with our circumstances. Fortunately for us, opportunities will arise to change our ill-chosen direction, thereby turning our life around on a newly chosen path.

It is through redirections that we learn valuable life lessons that will help us make better choices in the future. (Hopefully a little more quickly than we did in the past.) It is these redirects that often turn us from being unhappy campers into feeling felicitous with our life choices.

I have made a few U-turns along life's way and am about to do it again. A couple of years ago I moved from Ohio to Florida, which has left me feeling infelicitous. I am currently making preparations to leave the state of Florida with my hound dog Valentino. Ohio is our tentative destination but who knows how Signs shall sing to me along the way!

SIGNS by The Five Man Electrical Band

Video by Steve Carlsen

I will definitely read the signs and/or create a happy sign or two of my own, as the song saying goes, to ensure better odds of a happy landing rather than getting in a stew due to someone else stirring my emotional pot.

My topic today for the 26-Week ABC Challenge of emotions begins with the letter "I" — feeling INFELICITOUS.

Read all about the ABC Challenge and join us here each week as we write and share emotions from A to Z.

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Heavyhearted Resting Place

We often feel heavyhearted at the emotional ordeal of letting go of things we hold dear. We can let go when we know that a thing represents a fond memory that will be with us always.

Finding myself in a situation where I am having to downsize my personal belongings, I am facing letting go of many material possessions that I hold dear. However, I am fast to realize that these objects of my affection merely represent the memory of a time or place, or even a loved one's face, in my past. These are the people, places, and things I need never let go of, for they live in the mind of my heart forever.

This past week I experienced such an event that left me feeling heavyhearted. I have this wood carving of an eagle that I have carried across the country with me on various moves for nearly two decades. On the move I am about to make I have no room to tote my eagle along.

For days I contemplated whether I should try to sell my eagle at a yard sale or give it to someone I felt worthy of its presence. I chose the latter.

There is a couple that lives nearby that have befriended me and my dog Valentino. We look forward to seeing them on our daily walks in the neighborhood. Valentino runs to greet them as they call out to him. The woman in this pairing has lovely flower gardens throughout her yard and I often take pictures of her flowers (and the butterflies they attract!) My heart told me my eagle wood carving would be a splendid addition to the gal's garden fare.

One day my dog and I stopped to chat with the fellow and I told him I had a gift for his wife's flower gardens. Later that evening I carried the eagle up the street to their home, leaving it on their doorstep.

I felt a bit sad as I walked away from my eagle. Conversely, I felt humbled the next day as I saw the prominent resting place the carving had been given. From the street I could see the eagle sitting at the bottom of the front porch stairs, nestled alongside an old tree surrounded by ferns and flowering plants. What a vision to behold!

Eagle Resting In Nature Postcard by abitosunshine

Book: Things We Once Held Dear

It will be easier for me now, the letting go of things once held dear, and my heavyhearted feeling seems to have vanished. It is as though the eagle is directing the pathway to my destiny. This is a heartening experience for me as I prepare to grasp an opportunity to look at life things through new eyes.

I can honestly say that this eagle-eyed experience has taken me from feeling heavyhearted to feeling lighthearted. Yes, I have let go of my wood-carved eagle that I once held dear but I shall remember its significance ... forevermore.


Disclosure: Ruth Cox is an Associate of Amazon and Zazzle and may earn income based on purchases made through links in this article.

My topic today for the 26-Week ABC Challenge of emotions begins with the letter "H" — feeling HEAVYHEARTED about things held dear.

Read all about the ABC Challenge and join us right here each week as we write and share emotions from A to Z.

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Gladsome, Guided, and Grounded By Love

While with a canine companion by my side I have always felt well-grounded, the best-laid plans of a woman and her dog do not always come to pass on the long and winding road of life.

On a gladsome note ... Shortly after a glitch in the plans for me and my dog to move to the state of Washington occurred, I received an unexpected text message, followed by a telephone call, from my son and feel as if I have been granted a genuine chance for mother and son (and grandson!) to reunite as a real family.

I guess things really do happen for good reason. While I am feeling sadness about not going to Washington (meeting my friend Karen there and my friend Nancy along the way) I am feeling gladness about being guided to return to my home state of Ohio.

I look forward to working hard at repairing my damaged relationship with my son. And of course, I am feeling great about getting to know my grandson before he's all grown up.

I am also grateful to my previous boss (and friend) in Ohio who is giving me back my old job. I will at least have an immediate income. It's a start at a new beginning.

If not for the generous giving and support of others (via the Fundrazr set up on our behalf) this move would not be possible. I will be forever feeling gratitude for those who have made it possible for me and my dog Valentino to travel this leg of our life journey ... Together!

My plans to go west have been thwarted, at least temporarily. However, preparing to head north on the road of life, I am feeling...

Gladsome, Guided, and Grounded by Love!

We Thank You Postcard by dogpawsitivetidbits

Disclosure: Ruth Cox is an Associate of Amazon and Zazzle and may earn income based on purchases made through links in this article.

This week my topic for the 26-Week ABC Challenge begins with the letter "G" — feeling GLADSOME, GUIDED, and GROUNDED.


Read all about the ABC Challenge and join us right here each week as we write and share emotions from A to Z.

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Feeling Forgiven Not Forgotten

Forgive & Forget

A forgiving spirit toward others as well as ourselves is essential for our personal well-being. 

It is often said that we can forgive but not forget. In truth, a forgiving feeling comes into being only after forgetting.

Forgiving Spirit
©Ruth Cox

Forgivable
Worthy of being
Forgettable

Forgiveness
Born of
Forgetfulness

Forgiven
In time
Forgotten

Forgiving
Spirit of future
Forgetting


Another truth of forgive and forget is that we must remember it is the action we felt was taken against us which we need forgive and forget — not the person. This reasoning is clear to me each time I read the poem Night Mail by W. H. Auden.

You can listen to the verse written for the documentary film. (Fast forward to 19:20 or so for "Night Mail" by Auden)

The last line of Auden's verse says it all for me...

For who can bear to feel himself forgotten?

  

Disclosure: Ruth Cox is an associate of Amazon.com and may earn sales commissions via purchases made through links on this article.

This week my topic for the 26-Week ABC Challenge begins with the letter "F" — feeling FORGIVING not FORGOTTEN.

Read all about the ABC Challenge and join us right here each week as we write and share our emotions from A to Z.

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Feeling Emotionally Bankrupt Or Bloated

I thought it a case of feeling elderly until a chat with a younger friend brought me to the realization that what I was experiencing was akin to feeling emotionally bankrupt or bloated.

Although he is nearly twenty years my junior, I found my friend (whom I'll refer to as Leo) suffering the same emotive state of mind as I. To me, it appeared as though both of us teetered on the brink of emotional ruin.

Being sixty years of age and facing yet another major life storm, my emotions are running rampant and I find myself feeling spiritually bankrupt. I feel as if I am about to burst from the overflow of emotions. (Much like my tummy might feel if I were physically bloated from overeating.)

However, the difference this time was that it was a lot easier to deal with being in such an emotional state when I was younger. Or so I thought.

My conversation with Leo has me rethinking my emotive theory and I realize blaming my emotional bankruptcy on the fact of feeling elderly was an equivocal statement. Bloated or bankrupt, I feel it time I pull up my big girl panties and take evasive action.

Feeling exasperated and empty of enthusiasm, I decide that only by closing the door on non-essential thoughts and feelings can I renew my zest for living. No longer bamboozled by the winds of change, entrenched in the power invested by and for me — I declare myself proud owner of a new song to sing in the rain. (And to my friend Leo.)

Bamboo In A Gentle Rain...hear her rhythm Cards 
by karenerdmann

This week my topic for the 26-Week ABC Challenge begins with the letter "E" — for EMOTIONALLY BANKRUPT. (As well as a few other letter "E" emotions.)

Read all about the ABC Challenge and join us right here each week as we write and share our emotions from A to Z.

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Determined Spirit

One need only look to nature for that which inspires one to stay determined to stand with a robust spirit along the road map of life.

I waited patiently while I watched the vibrant red flowers come to life on a Florida Bottlebrush tree. (And I am not a patient person!) Each day a little more red would rise on the flower's journey to reach full bloom of its color.

I learned from the Bottlebrush flower that even though there are times when I may feel lost and without direction if I but stay the course I shall reach my destination with my sunshine spirit intact.

Determination
©Ruth Cox

Directionless feeling
Devalued
Darest not to despair.

Dedicated notion
Devoted
Driven never dauntless.

Delirious spirit
Determined
Drawn toward debonair.

   

Grow Your Own Bottlebrush Tree

Disclosure: Ruth Cox is an associate of Amazon.com and may earn sales commissions via purchases made through links on this article.

This poetry and prose is part of the 26-Week ABC Challenge of emotions. This week's topic begins with the letter "D" — in my case, for DETERMINED. (As well as a few other letter "D" emotions.)

Read all about the ABC Challenge and join us right here on this blog each week as we write about emotions from A to Z.

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Is life balanceable?

Life is a balancing act, somewhat of a jigsaw puzzle, with the scales of justice seemingly not always on our side, not always factual nor fair.

Is life balanceable? is probably not a question to be asked nor answered by one who considers herself a perfectly balanced Libran gal. Yes, that would be me!

But of course, now that I have asked the question, I must try to deliver an answer. Unfortunately, we may be here writing and reading for hours, days, or more before that occurs, as first I must weigh all sides of the query, one alongside the other, in order to determine a factual and fair response.

My gut instinct would be to burst forth (with a bit o' sunshine, perhaps) an emphatic Yes! On the other hand, outside forces often fan the flames of life desires in such a way that a missing piece or two of the puzzle may render the balancing act difficult, nigh impossible, to achieve — should one believe.

I choose not to be a believer of impossibility. In all fairness I have weighed the facts of life to be balanceable indeed.

Sure, there are flames of fire forever looking to burn the bridges upon that which we plan as our life path. But at the beginning and at the end of a day — there is always a bit o' sunshine to be found!

Gut instinct wins and life shall be balanceable upon the scales of justice.

Note: Special thanks to a few special friends who are tipping the scales of my outlook on life with their jigsaw puzzle expertise.

Perfectly Balanced Libra Postcard by abitosunshine
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This article is part of the 26-Week ABC Challenge of emotions. This week's topic begins with the letter "B" — in my case, for BALANCEABLE.

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Anticipating Spring Renewal

Each year at this time I always seem to have birth and rebirth in mind, anticipating Spring as a time of renewal for all living things.

On a walk with my dog this afternoon I spied an almost colorless single daffodil growing wild in a neighbor's yard. Through an array of growth of twigs and twining things, I envisioned the beauty her garden would bring come Spring.

Nearing home, I decided to sit in the back yard with my dog for a bit. I noticed the neighboring Plum tree beginning to come alive with its white blossoms. As I took a picture of a branch against the cloud covered blue sky, I felt as though I were sneaking a peek into the future with my cell phone camera's eye.

I sighed, "Spring is near," as I glanced at my dog Valentino sitting at my feet, eagerly anticipating the treat he had come to expect for his good behavior while I took photos. As Valentino munched on his Good Reasons dog treat gift from a friend, I smiled.

Anticipating Spring Renewal of Living Things
(Click the picture for a larger view.)

I knew change was in the air, more than just a seasonal thing. I knew that a major life move was soon to take place for me and my canine friend.

As I thought about our future together, again I smiled. For I also knew that no matter the anxiety I felt over a major life change I was sure of one thing ... My dog and I would be anticipating all that this new life adventure might bring — Together.

This article is my first in the 26-Week ABC Challenge of emotion identification and creative expression through poetry and prose. In case you had not yet guessed, the topic began with the letter "A" for ANTICIPATING.

Read all about this ABC Challenge and join us right here on this blog each week as we write about emotional things from A to Z.

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