is she cute or what?

there she is playing in the rain soaked poppies. Actually she is intensely sniffing each and every one of them as if her life depended on it, & she never looks up at me when I call her name so I can snap her picture. That is why I had to hold her tiny chin up for the camera. It's as if she is purposely ignoring me thinking, lady, I got better things to do than pose for you all day, I have to be sniffing these poppies so, bug off. Only she is very tiny, so ultimately I being the master in control realize I can afford to be generous and let her have some time in her favorite part of the garden. Then I take her inside and give her a biscuit.

running...

As I began my run last night I felt old and rickety. I felt like I would be lucky if I made it around the block once. By the time I was half way around I kept thinking, just make it around once, that's all you have to do. When I completed the first lap I felt like, hmm... OK, I can definitely do another one. I had a nice tempo going I thought, plus I was sweating and sweating is good. By the third lap, I forgot about my little pep talks and was on to other things like the inspiration I get that seems to pop up out of thin air as I continue running. Everything seems to flow and it's the best feeling. It's not so easy when I first begin but I know by now those endorphins will kick in and if I just stick it out I will feel better shortly. I find it to be the most amazing and rewarding experience. As I was finishing my fourth lap, which is the equivalent of a little over three miles, I felt like I could do a fifth one but I didn't have the time. It was already 6:40 and I needed to get home. Still, it was good to know I felt like I could do it.

I stumbled upon this amazing garden last Sunday at Farmingdale State College. Please click on the photo to get a better view of the lush plantings. If you would like to see another picture from the same garden, go here.