Day 2175 Watchful

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Bet you never thought you’d see me posting a dog pic… in a good way! My son asked if I could let his dog out, so I added a short walk to the task. His dog isn’t slobbery, doesn’t bark, and doesn’t get up in your grill, so all in all, she’s not so bad. She was super happy to go for a brisk walk and enjoyed sniffing around in the snow, certainly much more than she would have enjoyed shopping at Marshalls!

I think it’s more the dog owners who have gone out of control, and the poor pooches of the world are getting a bad rap because of it. Face it, I love my chickens, but I still don’t believe they belong roaming around my house or any public spaces. Staying in the right lane is important...even off the road.

After walking the dog and giving her a treat, I hustled home to meet my crew for our Mahjong night. I’m impressed that so many of them keep coming back week after week, and it shows in their growing skill levels.  They’re really starting to play with confidence, only asking a few questions here and there. Pretty soon, I’ll be able to trade in my teaching hat and just enjoy playing alongside them. Although, I have been asked to teach a Mahjong class at our local recreation department, so I’ll be back at it this spring… officially. By then, my friends will be well on their way to hosting their own Mahjong nights, expanding their skills and doing their own thing, as all students should.

All of my friends were as mystified by the recent kidnapping as I am, each offering possible scenarios and  two cents about what might have happened. We’re all afraid she may be dead, although I reminded them of Elizabeth Smart, who was kidnapped and survived nine months...much to everyone’s disbelief, so anything is possible. That’s one good reason to get a dog; most dogs will sound an alarm at the sight of anyone approaching the house.

As we stay riveted to the television, fingers crossed for this elderly woman’s safe return, we’re reminded to hold those dear to us a little closer, lock our doors, and keep a watchful eye out for potential danger. Life has a way of mixing the ordinary with the unimaginable. It’s a sobering reminder that while life goes on in its simple, sweet ways, we should never take safety, or each other, for granted.

“The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.” ~ Thomas Jefferson