cheerfulmonk.com

This video

reminds me of this poem:

I rescued a human today, by Janine Allen

Her eyes met mine as she walked down the corridor peering apprehensively into the kennels. I felt her need instantly and knew I had to help her.

I wagged my tail, not too exuberantly, so she wouldn’t be afraid. As she stopped at my kennel I blocked her view from a little accident I had in the back of my cage. I didn’t want her to know that I hadn’t been walked today. Sometimes the overworked shelter keepers get too busy and I didn’t want her to think poorly of them.

As she read my kennel card I hoped that she wouldn’t feel sad about my past. I only have the future to look forward to and want to make a difference in someone’s life.

She got down on her knees and made little kissy sounds at me. I shoved my shoulder and side of my head up against the bars to comfort her. Gentle fingertips caressed my neck; she was desperate for companionship. A tear fell down her cheek and I raised my paw to assure her that all would be well.

Soon my kennel door opened and her smile was so bright that I instantly jumped into her arms. I would promise to keep her safe. I would promise to always be by her side. I would promise to do everything I could to see that radiant smile and sparkle in her eyes.

I was so fortunate that she came down my corridor. So many more are out there who haven’t walked the corridors. So many more to be saved. At least I could save one.

I rescued a human today.

November 14, 2025

Ziggy

I missed the internet Tuesday, of course, and I checked every hour or so to see if it was back. I fully expected to have access before bedtime that night, but it wasn’t meant to be.

But it’s probably a good thing to be forced to do without the internet for a bit. I did get some other things done. When it went out I made a Possibility List of things I could do, and I started with the easiest just to get me started. That was looking at two video DVDs I had ordered and gotten Sunday. (DVDs so I could see them if we had power but no internet. Talk about good timing.)

Amazon

Amazon

The first DVD had a couple of exercises I’m already trying to work into my everyday life, and the second one I’ll watch part of from time to time. I bought that one partly for meditation breaks, but mostly because it’s by Dr. Paul Lam. I knew he started learning Tai Chi to help relieve his own arthritis, and then he decided to share what he learned with the world. According to Perplexity,

Lam’s osteoarthritis started around age 13, following years of chronic malnutrition and hard labor which deformed his joints and led to persistent pain. Despite these challenges, he persevered through childhood and medical training, eventually finding tai chi a helpful tool for his condition after conventional treatments left much to be desired.

After starting tai chi for self-care, Lam found it not only relieved his arthritis pain, but also enhanced his balance, energy, and overall wellbeing. His personal success motivated him to learn more deeply, collaborate with medical and tai chi experts, and eventually teach and adapt tai chi specifically for those with arthritis.

He reminds me of William Ernest Henley, the author of Invictus. They both suffered painful health problems from an early age and refused to be helpless victims. Instead they went on to make contributions to the world.

November 13, 2025

from about 10 AM yesterday to sometime early this morning.

I had planned to go up to the land with Andy this morning if it was still down, but I’m glad I didn’t. Thanks to Kaitlin and Torben the land has Starlink, so the internet would have been fine, but it wouldn’t have done me any good since my iPad wouldn’t have worked.

When the internet came back up my computer worked just fine, but my iPad still wouldn’t connect. After some time and exercise of my little grey cells, I figured out it was the iPad itself. My backup iPad worked just fine. Arghh! I started configuring my backup iPad so I could use it like my main one, but then I decided to ask Perplexity:

my iPad can’t connect to the internet. No internet symbol, just an arrow-looking symbol. What to do?

It gave me some suggestions and references and one of the suggestions worked, so I can still use that iPad.

Anyway, I’m glad things are working again. Apparently a crucial fiber optic cable was cut during some construction in Santa Fe yesterday morning. Given some of the fragilities of the system, it’s amazing how well things work most of the time. And bless the repairmen who fixed the problem.

November 12, 2025

Misty-the-Dog and Friends

Amen to that!

November 11, 2025

I’m still doing a little bit of Spanish each day on Duolingo, Spanish Dictionary, and some cartoons. This cartoon made me laugh (click on it for higher resolution):

Perlas Para Los Cerdos

Pig: Hey, Goat, I’m calling to say I’m at old Johnson’s. He returned from the hospital to die there.

Goat: That’s what’s called dying peacefully in your own bed.

Pig: He’s not going to die peacefully.

More baby steps. A little habit that brings a lot of joy.

November 10, 2025

I had an interesting experience the other morning. I was awake and contemplating getting up when I had this great feeling of love — for my comfortable, cozy bed. No, it’s not a new one, it’s the same one I’ve been sleeping in for 59 years now. And when I thought about it, it wasn’t just the bed, it was also my apartment, which I’ve been living in for almost 50 years, and for my life, which keeps changing but which I love more and more.

As I’ve said, I agree with Hobbes. (For higher resolution, click on the picture.)

Calvin and Hobbes

Recently Rita wrote,

Choose joy!! Relentlessly!!

It’s even nicer when you unexpectedly find joy choosing you.

November 9, 2025

Off the Mark

November 8, 2025

The Other Coast

November 7, 2025

Click on picture for higher resolution.

Ben

I like our Novembers and Februaries. Here are some pictures of our local pond I took Tuesday:

What about you? Do you agree with Ben?

November 6, 2025

Weekly group dog walks and cuddling sessions in St Andrews during University term!
—Dog Walking Society St Andrews

These pictures are from their Facbook page.

Angus in Scotland mentioned this, so I now have another place to go for my doggie fixes.

Another thing to be grateful for.

November 5, 2025