“Well at least I know the alarm still works,” I think as I silence my phone.

I savor a few extra minutes under the covers, but I know I can’t dally too long. The reason for that is now waking up next to me and the first item on her to-do list is always to give me a wet kiss and promptly plop the whole of her body weight onto my chest.

"Oof, good morning, River," I say as I try to push her off my face. "How did you sleep?"

She doesn't usually say much, so I have to make up responses on her behalf.

"You had a dream that you had unlimited access to a cheese, bacon, and peanut butter distribution center? And there was an emergency that required all of the inventory to be eaten as fast as possible? Wow that is a good dream."

My day officially starts when I brave the chilly world outside of my bed. I'll believe winter's over when I don't have put on sweats and a hoody as soon as I wake up every morning. Once I get myself dressed and go to the bathroom, the next order of business is getting the dog out for the first time. It's especially during the colder months that I wish I had a yard so I didn't also have to go outside every time she needed to pee and poop. No point in complaining, though.

"All right, River. Let's go," I say for the fifth time as she stares at me from the warmth of the bed.

Finally, she gets up and I put her harness, collar, and jacket on her, and out we go. When it's below 40 degrees out she usually finds a spot just off the porch to pee and then wants to go back in. No arguments here.

I'm working from home today, so the rest of the day consists of me sitting at my desk and River lying on the couch only to get up every now and then to check if that one patch of sunlight that crawls across my bedroom floor is in a good spot yet.

At lunch, I take her out for another walk. This time we go a little farther, venturing into the adjacent neighborhoods. River gets wound up pretty easily, especially when she sees another dog, so I've been working on taking time-outs during the walk to find a calming moment.

"River, sit."

Saying this makes her look around nervously to check her surroundings. Because why would I tell her to sit if there was nothing around to bark at? Eventually she sits, but is still looking around. According to the trainer we go to, I should reward her when she gives her attention to me instead of whatever else is going on in the world. When she looks at me I praise her, give her a treat from the pouch clipped to my waistband, and we resume our walk. I try to do this every block or so. Sometimes it seems like it's working, other times not so much.

I finish out the work day, which has been the same as almost every work day before it and probably all the ones to come. The only thing that kind of gets me through it is talking shit with one of my coworkers in a Teams chat about someone else in our office.

At the end of the workday it is time for our evening walk. This can be a somewhat stressful walk for River because of what I refer to as the post-work pre-dinner dog-walk rush. She manages decently well--only a few outbursts and lunges--and we are back home for dinner.

I settle onto the couch for what I would call some well-deserved TV time. When I finish my food and no longer have a plate to defend, I let River curl up on my lap and we watch another episode.

I get her out for one last walk before bed, and then get ready to go to sleep. Without fail, River jumps in bed before me and lies exactly where I sleep.

"River, we go over this every single night. That's my spot. You can't sleep there because that's where I sleep. Move over to your side of the bed. I'm giving you like a third of my bed. I think that's plenty generous."

If I try to move her by hand she growls and she can move her head really fast, so I started luring her off with a piece of kibble, which I know is setting a dangerous precedent, but one behavioral issue at a time.

I read for a bit before turning the light out. When I'm lying in bed trying to fall asleep is usually when the sadness, emptiness, and loneliness take hold. Since I got River, I can't remember the last time I felt that way.

Etched on the backs of my eyelids is one of those dusky nights,

threadbare tires and music that tastes of static and somewhere else.

Outside autumn is taking its final rattling breath,

the cold just shy of being cruel,

though I will only notice this later.

For now I lean against the backseat window,

watching streetlights flicker lazily to life,

pretending I cannot feel your hand in mine,

the way you trace the ring on my finger,

and my world snaps into focus.

I try to find something pretty to say,

but my prose has always looked better on paper,

and there is a simplicity in silence, too.

hey, you

I know why you’re hiding

in the back

so you would not get called on

to speak in front of the class

hundreds of faces

turn to look in my direction

his chalk poised on the board

ready to write my responses

the lights shimmered

and I felt my lips form the words

I didn’t know I knew

and that’s what it is

to exist in the present moment

all eyes on you

There's no tomorrow.

There is only hope.

Past conjures sorrow.

The sting of course ropes.

"The road is narrow,"

you coax. As I cope.

Home is a word that beckons the feeling deep within our being.

It’s an indescribable sensation that permeates the soul

As it reaches inward, striving to create a sense of foreseeing,

Enveloping and molding all that’s derived to make us whole.

Life is full of twists and turns and yet to home we always return

For a sweeping comfort and peaceful security beyond the norm

Looking inward we pull from ourselves, desiring that which makes us yearn

As we feel undiversified acceptance, having no need for others to perform.

Home is a feeling beyond measure and beyond the scope of lands

Derived of endless days, nights, and years spent doing what makes us who we are

It’s peace, tranquility, individuality, and all that comes together to expand

Our sense of worth, preservation, and all that’s unique, like a brilliant star.

So for that which you may call home, look deep within your mind’s eye

It’s there you will find what you know so well and that which you always seek

And it’s there that you will find a release which will make your heart cry

With resounding happiness and alignment as home you will meet.

I lived in Fort Collins for a good chunk of time and there was a popular hike nearby that I loved to do. It was short and strenuous, perfect for someone with a busy schedule. The views from the summit were incredible with the blue reservoir and the red sandstone rocks below. I have a vivid memory of going on this hike on a beautiful spring day. It was the perfect temperature with very few clouds in the sky. I found myself lucky that I decided to go on a weekday because there were very few people on the trail. Solo and isolated hikes have always been my absolute favorite. As I hiked on this particular day, I noticed that the vegetation was damp due to a recent rain and it brought out many refreshing smells. I could smell the pine needles and the butterscotch scent from the Ponderosa trees. I hadn't realized how much I needed the hike until I was already well on my way. The thing is, hiking is like my church. Anytime I hike, I'm able to go into a deep meditation and become acutely aware of my surroundings while being cognizant of all the outside blessings of my life. It is spiritual, moving, and healing and I always leave the mountain feeling grounded, stronger, and at peace. This particular hike brought that and then some.

When I reached the summit on Arthur's Rock, I was all alone as if it was my own private peak. I sat for awhile eating a snack and taking in the views. The rolling green hills that slowly turned into plains seemed to go on forever. As I was sitting there, I heard a peculiar sound of a light, almost inaudible rustling. I looked up to see a few turkey vultures soaring close to the peak I was sitting on. The rustling sound I heard was the feathers on the turkey vultures' wings cutting through the air. I became overwhelmed with awe and gratitude that it was silent enough for me to hear such a subtle sound. It was beautiful and one of the most peaceful moments I've ever experienced on a hike. I laid back and watched them soar around for awhile. The other beautiful part is that I had no obligations that day, no one was expecting anything from me and I was not on any time limit. So, I sat, watched, and took it all in. I felt as though I was breathing in the mountain and all of its life and breathing out love and peace. On the hike back down, I felt light and rejuvenated. I ate a delicious meal when I got home and slept so soundly. I don't think I'll ever forget it.

Though I lay here in my bed

As the moon is rising higher

My thoughts spin in my head

And my mind goes out to wander

I’m not sure where it goes

What it plans to do or see

When the night falls dark

And the trees hover over my balcony.

Does it go to different countries?

Is it living a different life?

Did it somehow learn a life lesson?

Will it come back to tell me its strife?

Sometimes it seems so far away

I don’t know what I’d do without it

So when the night turns into day

I’ll admit I’m pretty happy about it.

Because no matter all the adventures

My mind takes in the night

It never outdoes the adventure

That I call this here Life.

I take a quiet stroll on the beach

as the golden streaks spread their charm

all across the swirling waters of the sea,

my naked feet sink slowly into the soft grainy sand

that clings to my toes,

each step I take I feel their gentle cuddle,

a soothing feeling envelopes me,

the tides advance slowly,

they rise and fall over in jubilation,

their gurgling sound fill my ears,

they splash their surf on my feet over and over again,

adamant, like a little toddler that won’t give up,

they urge me to stay, as I move away

the gentle breeze joins in, nudges me to give in,

I take a deep breath, relent,

stretch my arms wide,

take a deep breath,

fresh, rejuvenated I feel.

It's very easy, I've found

to become lost in the sound

the bustle of life which is always around

the booming conditions in which I have drowned

But when I sit still, without moving a muscle

when I pay no attention to all that does bustle

when I separate myself from the world that shaped me

that, my friend, THAT is when I am set free.

There is no other time in which I understand

the sound of life, so glorious and grand

the knowledge that Earth, so scarred and hurt

is far, far more than a just pile of dirt.

She breathes and sings her gentle song

for listeners, anyone, to sing along.

Because I have immersed myself in what I thought to be living

that cold concrete towers had a heart that was beating,

I have become uncomfortable with the peaceful feeling

of stillness and silence, short of her singing.

For what am I without my busy way of life?

what would I do without my troubles and strife?

I have yet to hear her answer, that I know

all I can do is wait, and listen to her song ebb and flow.

Past towering oaks we’d sprint, my dog when I was ten

foolish legs flying up muddy trails then.

Tethered to beast on leather leash, a hundred pounds of dog

just as fast as me, the fool.

An Irish Setter, mud and drool, we’d race to the pond and bog. At speed in his glory, russet fire in the wind.

One day he started sprinting for no reason, so I thought, but then I saw the squirrel, just asking to get caught.

And to the left, at speed he broke, the rodent fled to a nearby oak. I tried to stop, but I broke right, the leash stuck firm so I took flight.

And so physics did their bit,

and so the oak tree I did hit.

The rodent laughed as he scampered up, the flying boy and his earthbound pup.

So I lay dazed, yet nothing broke, the dog was barking up the oak.

I laughed at the squirrel, and he laughed back, at the flying boy oak tree attack.

So we walked home as it got dark, another day spent in the park.

A decade later, his legs turned weak, his dog days ended one Winter bleak.

I still remember our travails, of flying and crashing and other tales.