monthly writing challenge

I am sure you know all about healthy eating – whether you take part in it or not. There are so many different diets and ways of eating that it can be overwhelming. 

And the reality is, we should probably all eat healthier. 

Alas, this post isn’t about my eating habits. I know I have to improve mine. I think over time I’ve been slightly improving, but I have a long way to go. 

That being said, this is about Harper. 

Being a first-time dog owner, I wanted to make sure that she is getting a well-balanced meal, but at the same time make sure she isn’t bankrupting me. As well, I want to make sure she’s actually eating right – as a lot of these dog diets aren’t as good as people want to believe they are. I know everybody is an expert on Facebook, but the reality is you need to understand your dog and his or her needs. If you deep dive into these groups you will find a ton of opinions and, usually, these people are so set on their opinion and what they do for their dogs, they don’t really think beyond that. 

But let’s look back a few decades. Dogs were living longer and they were eating things like Gravy Train and scraps from the table. That included bones and all sorts of stuff. 

Now, I’m not saying we should go back there, but we need to look at things individually. Alas, I keep going on and such, but let’s get back to the topic at hand. 

What can I cook for you?

Harper’s meals tend to be a little varied. She’s on kibble and she gets that most meals. But for some dinners, I tend to work other things in, Some of it is of the raw diet variety that many seem to advocate. I like to add some fruit and veggies. There are some great canned foods that are really healthy and good meals, as well, and I will use some of that. Most dinners include some pumpkin puree, because it is good for her system as well. 

And yes, sometimes, I plate it up for her. 

I feel like the world we live in now makes it hard to figure everything out. There’s no middle ground. We all do the best we can foodwise, for yourself, family, friends, and pets. Not everybody can or will go the distances others will, and that’s OK. Because in the end, we do the best we can with the resources we have. 

I love trying to figure the best for Harper. I like trying new things with her. I hope dogs have great taste buds and she senses the differences. But I do know dogs have great noses and a lot of these things really smell good! 

In the end, the one item I do with Harper each day doesn’t even require me cooking, rather pairing. Each morning, we have a banana together. I take a bite and then break off a piece for her. We continue it until it’s done. I think it’s a good little bonding thing each day and I’m quite sure we each look forward to it. 

Meals for humans and animals can both be crazy. In the end, though, we are all just looking for ways to eat well and make sure our (or our pet’s) health is as good as it can be to be able to live a great life.
Allow me to share a couple photos of Harper’s meals (and, to be fair, I do not do this all the time)! 

How about all of you? Healthy eating for you? Your pets? How do you tackle it all?

This post is part of the 2022 20 Days of Chill Writing Challenge hosted by A ‘lil HooHaa. Please check out the links (intro I themes) if you’d like to see the setup and  themes! You don’t have to do every theme if you don’t want to! And for those participating, take a moment and check out the other participants!

Link up: 

Once upon a time … 

We held our loved ones close and knew we would be safe.

We held our principles high and knew we would *mostly* choose right over wrong. 

We held our heads high in the decisions we made. 

Once upon a time … 

We didn’t worry about bad things happening just by walking outside. 

We didn’t look at people and wonder if they could be the next ones to “snap.”

We didn’t wonder if our lives could collapse in the blink of an eye. 

Once upon a time …

We felt secure in our own homes. 

We felt empathy for our fellow man 

We felt like most people were good people. 

Once upon a time …

We lived in a world with common sense. 

We lived among people we could agree to disagree with. 

We lived our lives securely. 

Once upon a time … 

We dreamed big and tried to follow those dreams. 

We dreamed about wonderful destinations that we could work toward. 

We dreamed about happiness for friends and family. 

Once upon a time …

We knew a world where people (mostly) cared about one another. 

We knew people looked at all sides of things. 

We knew how to show our feelings in safe and/or productive ways. 

Once upon a time … seems like so long ago. 

This post is part of the 2022 20 Days of Chill Writing Challenge hosted by A ‘lil HooHaa. Please check out the links (intro I themes) if you’d like to see the setup and  themes! You don’t have to do every theme if you don’t want to! And for those participating, take a moment and check out the other participants!

Link up:

Day 3 and we’re already asking the tough questions. 

I’m sure most of the people who will take part in this challenge already know something about the others. Many of us have been taking part in these challenges, or others, for several years. 

And now, here we go again. 

So who am I? 

Well, I think the definition of who we are has changed for most of us. Over the course of the past couple of year, I know I have taken a different look at myself. I’m sure many have done the same. And part of it is also how you look at others you are close with … and how that defines you as well. 

I guess, honestly, the answer is I have no idea who I am. 

I do know, though, that I’ve changed. Mostly, I think, for the good. There are some parts that I don’t particularly like, and I’m working on that as well. 

Alas, we’re all human. 

The one thing I’ve really changed about myself in recent years is where I want to be – geographically. I had always wanted to be in a mid-size city, or right on the outskirts. But as I get older, I like being in the smaller town, especially with how things can be in the current state of affairs. It’s peaceful. It’s calm. Well, for the most part. And, at the same time, if I need to get somewhere, I can get there. 

I’m more simple in my tastes now, too. Getting a dog has helped with that aspect. 

Here’s some reality, too. As we grow older, we start wrestling with morality. We all know our time on Earth is limited, so we need to make the most of it. How one does it rests solely on what they deem is important. The changes in life we’ve had to deal with in the past couple of years puts a lot of things into perspective. At least for me. 

So in the end… I’m just me. Who I am gets redefined each day … and hopefully it’s always for the best. 

How about you? Who are you?

This post is part of the 2022 20 Days of Chill Writing Challenge hosted by A ‘lil HooHaa. Please check out the links (intro I themes) if you’d like to see the setup and  themes! You don’t have to do every theme if you don’t want to! And for those participating, take a moment and check out the other participants!

Link up: 

Movies. 

I figure people are either movie people or they aren’t. It’s funny, too. I never understood why people said they weren’t movie people. But, much like anything else in this world, movies are a personal preference. 

For me, I couldn’t tell you the last time I saw a movie in the theater. It’s not that I mind going – I don’t – but it’s the cost and the time and all that. I’d much rather watch in my own place on my own time. 

Think about it – tickets are 10-15 bucks each. Add in $10 (on the cheap end?) thing of popcorn and maybe a soda or a water and you are already looking at 30-40 bucks to watch a flick. 

That’s a hard pass for me. 

I’d much prefer to watch on a streaming service or something so I can rewind or watch again. It’s easier that way. 

Originally, when this theme popped, I was thinking about listing out my top 10 favorite movies. But that is done often enough. 

Side note: Forrest Gump is likely at the top of the list. 

Instead, I wanted to talk about movie traditions or what you like to do for a movie. 

To be fair, anymore, I usually find a movie I like and then just watch. I don’t do anything special. Especially while Harper is not fully trained to “behave” in certain situations – such as when there is food around. But until I sold it a few months ago, I had a movie theater type popcorn machine. So popcorn for movies was a must. Maybe a soda. And then just chill out. 

The funny part now is I kind of either just lounge on the couch (especially, again, with Harper, who will often join me), or I’ll put my feet up in the recliner and watch the flick. 

With the current pandemic and such, I wonder what will happen with theaters. I don’t see them going away by any stretch, but I have a feeling many people do enjoy watching movies on their own televisions a bit more than maybe in the past. It allows you to have your own setup and do what you want. I can picture a nice spread on the coffee table with popcorn, snacks and drinks as several people enjoy a movie together. 

Or, if by yourself, you don’t have to hear the two whispering two rows down. 

Just like everything else in this world, movies have gone through a cycle. I’m sure they will continue to do so as time evolves. I can’t say I’ll never go to a theater again, but I know it’s a rarity as it is and it will likely continue to stay that way. 

How about you? How do you do movies, if you do them at all?

This post is part of the 2022 20 Days of Chill Writing Challenge hosted by A ‘lil HooHaa. Please check out the links (intro I themes) if you’d like to see the setup and  themes! You don’t have to do every theme if you don’t want to! And for those participating, take a moment and check out the other participants!

Link up:

Cheese is a must. 

Each year this challenge runs, some sort of a theme needs to be about cheese. And why, you may ask? Longer members of this challenge may recall one before this run by “We Work for Cheese,” a tremendous little blog from several years ago. 

One of the faces of that blog – Nicky – lost a battle with cancer a few years ago after running a similar challenge for a few years. The challenge was one I stumbled upon years ago when I was looking for different challenges to use for my blog. 

A year or so after that challenge ended, I started this one, though doing it a little differently and trying to shape it in my own way. Still, that challenge was one I truly enjoyed and the people who participated were fantastic. 

Therefore, in memory of Nicky, I always try to have a theme based on cheese. 

***

I do love me some cheese. 

Actually, there aren’t many types of cheeses I don’t like. And for those I might not enjoy, I’ve at least tried them. 

I mean, cheddar is always a favorite. But there are so many great cheeses. 

It’s why I love going to bigger grocery stores. It always amazes me to find those center sections filled with different cheeses. Though it’s about an hour away, the nearest Wegman’s to me has an incredible selection of cheeses. Whenever I go to this place, I always try and find a thing or two to take and try. It’s rare that I’m disappointed. 

I’ve often said if I could live on fruit and cheese, I’d likely be willing to give up meat. Alas, that wouldn’t do well for my health, so I’ll just do what I currently do with cheese – have it in moderation and enjoy each piece. 

But what to have cheese with? 

By itself? 

Pepperoni?

Summer sausage? 

Crackers?

Pretzels? 

How about all of the above?

The beauty of cheese is how versatile it can be. You can have it as a snack or as part of a main meal. It goes good with beer and wine, or even soda and flavored water. 

You can see where this goes. 

Basically, cheese is one of the most amazing foods out there. I mean, there aren’t many things better than a fresh pizza with that beautiful gooey cheese! 

So how about you?

What’s your favorite cheese? And what do you prefer it with or on?

This post is part of the 2022 20 Days of Chill Writing Challenge hosted by A ‘lil HooHaa. Please check out the links (intro I themes) if you’d like to see the setup and  themes! You don’t have to do every theme if you don’t want to! And for those participating, take a moment and check out the other participants!

Link up: