Saturday, June 19, 2010

Day 186 - My Birthday

Today is my birthday. I'm a typical Gemini. I'm attracted to anything bright and shiny and have an unhealthy fascination with the superficial side of life. Like most Gemini's, I've gone through much of my life thinking I needed two of everything. Time has taken its toll though. With each passing year I am becoming less and less acquisitive. As my health and wealth slowly deteriorate, I'm happy just to be here at all. Life is still full of surprises, but I don't look forward to being surprised anymore. A little predictability is just fine.

When I was young, each new birthday seemed like a countdown to bigger adventures ahead. Now, birthdays feel more like I'm passing a mile marker in a marathon race. If it's a marathon I'm running, I'm more than halfway to the finish line now. At least I'm still in the race. All in all, it was a very pleasant day: a subdued, but definitely happy birthday. I hope to do the same thing again next year.

I think today was the hottest day of the year so far. Even early this morning it was uncomfortably warm. We passed one of our neighbors on our morning walk and their dog was just sitting by the side of the road refusing to move. I knew exactly what was happening, because Dot and Dash do the same thing. I don't know how you teach a dog to pace themselves and start heading back home before they get tired. They like to follow their regular route and don't appreciate it when you anticipate their fatigue and turn back home early. Instead, they'd rather keep walking until they're completely tired and then just stop.

We're going to take a kiddie pool with us when we go up and walk the rescue Dalmatians tomorrow. On hot days some of them love to get in the water and splash around. Dogs are funny about water. Some love it and others don't. Dot and Dash both act like they're going to melt if they get wet. I just can't seem to convince them that a swimming pool is the best way to survive a Texas Summer.

Dalmatian of the Day

    Watch of the Day