TL Cleansers!

Photo by Sharon McCutcheon on Pexels.com

I feel a little bit smug right now! My iPhone just gave me my screen time data and they tell me it was down by something like 15% last week. My screen time is mostly a reflection of the time I spend on Twitter, constantly updating my feed to see if anything monumental is happening. Last week, I spent more of my time on my computer…still on Twitter but now away from the prying eyes of the “screen time” supervisor on my iPhone! Hahaha! That’s why I feel smug, I fooled them. The truth is I probably increased my time by 15%!

Of course, spending so much time in this manner is not conducive to mental health and I am not the only one who feels this way. Every once in a while, someone will insert a picture of their pet and ask us to do the same. These are called TL cleansers and boy, do they elicit smiles in me. I just love them and often do try to share pictures of my pet to give someone else the same kind rush I get when seeing someone else’s pet. People can be so creative! They groom their dogs for pictures, complete with cute or outrageous outfits. In a different decade I might have judged that behavior but today, after all we’ve been through, I totally understand.

Our pets are part of our life. As I see my Lila today, slowing down, headed towards her 11th birthday, I am more and more appreciative of every day and every gesture of affection she has towards me. I don’t consider myself an overly affectionate person although I do love deeply. I suppose my upbringing is partly the reason, my parents were not overly demonstrative and did not model that for me. So while I will do everything to ensure the health and safety of my pets, I have never been the kind to caress them excessively or shower them with presents, treats or game playing. Still, I have enjoyed fierce loyalty from them and I think they know how I feel.

This week is an important one in American politics. I am praying that all will go well because I have children who live and work in the U.S. From my vantage point here in Costa Rica, I can honestly say that I am surprised by how our citizens are following the developments in our North American friends’ yards. Of course, we do have a hefty number of expats living here and I do expect that the numbers will rise not only because it’s our high season but because every presidential election encourages someone unhappy with the result to find a place with better sunshine. Unfortunately, the new arrivals often forget that they are wiser leaving their politics behind!

Pets in the White House 2021

Photo by Jozef Fehu00e9r on Pexels.com

Our current White House occupier joked at one of his rallies that he could not imagine himself walking a dog. He went on to skit out exactly what he thought he might look like. I found the little clip entertaining and thought for the first time, how strange it was that no one in his entire family gives the impression of liking or owning dogs or cats. I could be wrong, it’s just that no mention of them has ever happened.

The president-elect, however, and all the presidents (except the current one) that I can remember in my lifetime did own dogs…and maybe the odd cat as well. I am very happy that two German Shepherds will be making a comeback. I know it is too early yet, the election has not been certified and whatnot, but come on, politics aside, don’t all of us who love dogs look forward to that?

My Lila sits comfortably at my feet as I write this. I will not let her know that I am not writing about her, she is very sensitive. Years ago, I edited a local e-magazine. One of our contributors was a 9 year old dog. He had quite the following until a woman who was best friends with his owner (and editor!) had a falling out with the owner and tried to get me to “fire” the poor dog! Imagine that? People are funny. Our four footed, furry friends are so much bigger than that!

Election Barks!

We have been waiting for a long time for it to be November 3rd in our household for a variety of reasons. I have just signed up for Medicare and I want to see the difference in my monthly deposit. I hope it’s not a huge difference, I sort of count on that money. Then of course, there is the elections in the U.S. In my family, my two siblings and my daughter are poll workers and I am very proud of them, as my mother would be if she were alive to see it.

Our mother was an activist. She believed strongly that one person could make a difference and that if you were equipped with the talent, resources and time to do something to advance good things for your community, you were not ever off the hook until you showed up and participated. I can honestly say that I have done a lot of volunteer work in my life but poll worker has not ever been one of those things that interested me. These days of Covid-19 have found senior citizens unable to participate in the numbers they once did but the youth of the country are going out there in full force. It makes one very enthusiastic to see this kind of participation.

My dog, Lila, does not judge me for not having done any poll work in the past, perhaps I can do so in the future. In any event, it is nice to know that no matter what I do or don’t do, Lila will always love me! Pets are amazing companions. I am sure one or more pets will accompany their owners on line for a while.

Let’s all stay safe out there.