31 Comments

Like you, I walked for miles on Wednesday. I was accompanied by my very happy Labrador Retriever, Mickey, who wanted interaction and play with every dog and human we met along the way. I recently saw this somewhere -- "You never realize how edible the world is until you walk with a Lab." TRUTH. Mickey is an ambassador for joy and also for edibles.

Creativity and time in nature is a go-to for the nourishment of my soul. As always, I appreciate your uplifting posts. Hugs to you, Julia. And Mickey sends big wags to Mika.

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I fell off my chair: "You never realize how edible the world is until you walk with a Lab."

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I walked on the beach Wednesday, too. South Beach State Park. It was a beautiful afternoon, and it felt good. All I lacked was a dog. Thank you for a heartwarming story and pictures of your delightful pooch.

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With any luck, Sue, I hope to be watching a couple days' worth of King Tides this January up your way. Let's please plan to meet. If I go it will be at Little Cove Creek (I never get the name right). It's north of the Walmart in Newport.

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Those colours 🍁 Oh wow! I miss autumn colours so much as where I live there are so few disingenuous trees a s they are more of a yellow colour. And those beautiful poochy eyes, almost autumnal in colour Tolox

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*too not Tolox

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She’s a beautiful girl. And thank you for the little piece of ‘normal’, we all need it more than ever right now, to focus on the good stuff and take joy in the moment or we’ll all end up completely stir crazy. Hugs to Mika, and you.

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Yeah, she's a love and an occasional turd, but she is my sanity right now. For that I am beyond grateful.

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Thank you, I needed that.💕🐈‍⬛

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So did I, Sheila. And I need more this weekend.

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You can make any regular day at a regular beach sound like the best thing on earth. I mean, it IS the best thing but not everyone could make it sound so appealing in words. Of course, pictures of Mika help ❤️. Beautiful reminders for us all.

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Thanks. Right now it's nap time and then I take her to the dog park.

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We just came back from practicing with anxiety triggers in a dog friendly coffee shop. Dezi thinks being a Cafe dog is the best thing since sliced bread 😂

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Mika just did her happy hour at the dog park. I am so jazzed watching her gauge her play to the dog she's with, especially if they're smaller. I love that animal.

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Yes, nature heals and the Oregon coast is wonderful this time of year and what a sweet, sweet dog. I took my first long walk since moving to my new home in Sequim, WA (from Bend, Oregon). It was glorious to discard the numbness and absorb the smell of fresh autumn air, damp leaves, pine and the waves of the Pacific Ocean.

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What a great day for you and your adventure dog! And the PNW looks incredible!

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Thanks and I was very glad to be away from social media. Increasingly, even Substack.

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Substack can be... a lot

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I was raised in New England and have spent a week on a rocky island seven miles off the coast for many of the past thirty years. Your story defines why I miss the beach so much. I have a goofy, happy twenty pound dog who has never seen the ocean. If he saw it he'd run the other way,

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If I saw a sneaker wave, Bruce, so would I!

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After the Tuesday night big turd that dropped, I needed this essay. Thanks!

Mika is a beautiful pup. Wish I had her energy!

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Oy me too, Linda.

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You are first on the list of people I always read who in this trying time have had words of wisdom and hope that I need right now. So do many of us. Thank you.

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Well thank you Penny. I appreciate you. Apparently some folks decided to misread my note and intentions. I’m so goddamned tired right now- as are we all - that I just can’t. It is not okay to attack folks who are on the same side. No call for it.

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I know we are angry and looking for a quick answer but I don't think there is one. We need to slow down, love our friends and neighbors and be still for a while. I'll be able to come back with energy and enthusiasm but now quite yet. And I don't want to be pulled into a fight with people I basically agree with. Or with people I violently disagree with either, for that matter. I'm terrified that horrible things will happen and we need to be prepared for that in some positive way. I don't know what that will look like yet but I know I will get there.

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Wonderful! Was in the moment with you. Thanks!

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Thank you Missy.

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Yes I need to live in the present and stop worrying about the troubling future.

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This was needed and lovely thanks.

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Thank you Dave.

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Julia, your pup is so adorable. Right now, more than ever, we need to indulge in nature and our furry babies. We must appreciate what we have.

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