“We have abundant reason to rejoice, that, in this land, the light of truth and reason has triumphed over the power of bigotry and superstition, and that every person may here worship God according to the dictates of his own heart.” George Washington

I love the United States of America. I love the ideal that our founding fathers conceived that it should be a place where bigotry and superstition have eliminated. I lament that both are still present. Sometimes it appears to me that bigotry is growing rather than dying. I pray we can live up to this sentiment expressed by George Washington.

I have been trusting God in a new way over the past two weeks.

Monday there is a chance I will learn how our situation of the last two weeks will be resolved.

None of us likes to live our lives like we are chess tokens on the board and we are waiting to see what the person who is playing the game will move us.

I like immediate answers compared to waiting. But the reality of life is that a certain amount of waiting is necessary. I have been casting my anxiety on God who can take care of it. I feel ready for the coming week.

This has been a long stressful week at work. It is no one individual’s fault, some weeks just turn out that way. I saw this picture and it represented how I felt as I was trying to get my work completed so I could leave on Friday. The picture made me laugh and I hope it also makes you laugh.

My journey through life has not always been an easy path. I know that is true for many people. As I listen to patients tell their stories I am reminded the struggles in my journey have not been as bad as the struggles others have faced. Gandhi writes about the essential nature of faith. This image reminds the sun will always rise tomorrow and it is a reminder that the Son (Jesus Christ) rose from the dead and every sunrise we see is celebration of the eternal connection we can have with him.

This week has been very difficult for me. Next week promises to also be difficult as the issues raised this week continue. To be perfectly honest I do have anxiety. More import than my anxiety is my faith that God will journey will me and I will be sustained even if some the details do not go the way I think they ought to go.

I wish you that same peace for the journeys in life that you are facing!

Do you remember the days where a tower computer stood several feet high? This new mini-tower measures Height: 11.4″ x Width: 11.5″ x Depth: 3.6″. Our I.T. Department copied all my programs and files off my old computer today and tomorrow I will have a mini-tower delivered that will free up a lot of space on my desk. It amazes me how technology makes things smaller and more powerful all at the same time. This is small enough I could carry it around in my brief case, but I won’t! I am looking forward to seeing how much faster it is than the computer I am currently using.

The current series of the Peanuts comic strip has Snoopy in the role of “Head Beagle” where all beagles are to follow his orders. My Basset has decided to appoint himself “Head Basset”. He does not restrict himself to giving orders to his own breed. He will give orders to anyone, friend, stranger or foe. I get a lot of enjoyment comparing Cooper’s thoughts as I perceive them as I am reading about Snoopy’s thoughts in the comic strip!

This is a picture of a Basset Hound Cookie Jar that my basset hound, Cooper, received as a gift from a dear friend and her two female dogs on Valentine’s Day. Becca is a dear friend and we are both lovers of all animals. What I love about this basset, which I have named “Cuddleton” is that it does not bark and does not wake me up at odd hours to do his business. Everyone enjoys getting unexpected gifts. There is joy in both giving and receiving, a lesson to remember today and every day!

I have not had a lot of practice taking selfies. In December when my son Erik and I were together we took this one together. I have been missing a lot the last several days and went through my phone seeking recent pictures of him. I thought I would share this one with my readers!

I am a loyal reader of the Peanuts Comic Strip. Today is Peppermint Patty Day. She is a loyal friend to Charlie Brown. Let’s use this day as a reminder to be loyal to our friends!

A friend of mine who also has a basset hound sent me this picture of her dog wanting inside because the snow was getting in her eyes. I was surprised by this picture because my dogs have never minded the snow in their eyes, they usually don’t like it between their paw pads. In any event this picture shows that bassets are a lot like people, we like to be warm and watch the now through a window rather than must face it falling on our bodies. I hope all the people hit by the most recent East Coast Blizzard can snuggle in today and see the snow without having to feel the snow!