MaggieMoose: Screams of Thanks, Gratitude & Wonder

Maggie's pawsability thought for the day:

 "I would maintain that thanks are the highest form of thought, and that gratitude is happiness doubled by wonder."

Gilbert K. Chesterton

  Maggie and I are inspired by nature. We feel blessed to live in a somewhat cosmopolitan area yet we are surrounded by wildlife. On July 4th we realized there's a Red-Tailed hawk nest in the pine tree in front of our yard. Early in the morning we heard the screeches and screams while we watched the flapping of its wings through the pine needles. Our camera was just shy of capturing the bird's image in detail. Our zoom lens couldn't quite make that awesome catch. Much like a fish story...it just got away.... We snapped the bird's silhouette hidden behind the pine needles. Then we played Find Waldo with our photos. We found it! WOOF! WOOF! Maggie and I were filled with awe and gratitude. Today when we stepped outside in the wee hours it was a repeat of wonder. This time the bird was closer in the trees to the west of our vision. Our camera was tucked away inside, but we were still grateful for the experience of observing this magnificent bird of prey as it made its rounds.

 

Lucky Us: Would've, Should've, Could've

Maggie's pawsability thought for the day:

"The meeting of preparation with opportunity generates the offspring we call luck."

Tony Robbins

lone horse on the hill

  Maggie and I were in the car driving about when we looked and saw the lone horse on the hill. It was an amazing sight to see. We captured it with the iPhone camera. Where was our new Canon camera with the telephoto lens when we needed it? At home of course still in the box laying there unopened. Busy us. No time to set it up yet. Dang! All we could think is how amazing that horse would've looked through a more powerful lens.... Oh well, we shook it off. Reminder to self: get the camera ready. So, yesterday before Maggie and I went for our walk afternoon I had a feeling something special was going to happen. A little warning sound went off in my head take the Canon camera. I ignored my warning. Maggie and I had stuff to do, no time to dilly dally and take photos on our walk. Holy cow, we're half way through our walk when a red tailed hawk flies right in front of us and goes across the street and lands on a tree top. I pulled out the iPhone and took a photo of the hawk. The whole time I'm telling Maggie "would've, should've, could've" holy smokes! Maggie looked at me with that I told you so look. OK, OK, I'm unpacking the camera. Maybe next time a meeting of preparation with opportunity will yield us some luck close up.

lone red tailed hawk on tree top

  

MaggieMoose Bliss in the Great Outdoors

Maggie's pawsability thought for the day:

"Another thing I like to do is sit back and take in nature. To look at the birds, listen to their singing, go hiking, camping and jogging and running, walking along the beach, playing games and sometimes being alone with the great outdoors. It's very special to me."

Larry Wilcox 

Maggie 8/8/12

  Maggie and I can have fun anywhere, but when we are outdoors together we seem to find the most joy. Oops, Maggie reminds me of playing "throw the tennis ball" a million times. It is on the top of the list too. As I was saying.... Our walks are somewhere between leisurely and power walking. We might even sprint a bit now and then. When the red tailed hawk flies ten feet above us in hot pursuit of its prey- that's magic. We then bow down and feel very privileged to Mother Nature. The red tailed hawk knows us. We see him or her just about everyday on our walks. He keeps his distance. Maggie and I are planning our next play adventure. We're going to the beach. The car is ready for the sand. Maggie is ready too. Proof is that as I write this Maggie comes running up with her play beach towel and lays down at my feet. Maggie is this a hint? Yes, the great outdoors is very special to us. We like those moments of feeling the MaggieMoose bliss in the fresh air.

Maggie and play towel

Oh, oh, I wonder if she'll want to bring all those beachy driftwood twigs home?