Do You Know Why I'm Laughing?

P.s. Dachshund Daddy doesn't like it that you cannot see the top of my peppa.

Mom thinks it looks super arty barky.

Dante Didn't Just Write.

He also made olive oil.

I Looked Out Upon the Water. And I Held a Little Dog.

Tootsie Tuesday: Advice

My special vet Dr. Ward says that instead I should say, "DREAM BIG. live long."
What do you think?

Immaculate Conception

Regional holidays differ around Switzerland, and as a predominantly Catholic area, the canton of Ticino (where we live) celebrates the Immaculate Conception. This is the day that the Blessed Mother Mary was conceived (not, as generally assumed, the day Jesus was immaculately conceived).

So it is not a Come-to-Jesus moment...

but a Mother Mary celebration!

Reflective Tootsie

W.O.O.P. Your Life!

Mom is super into this mind-thought program called "WOOP." 

WISH
OUTCOME
OBSTACLE
PLAN

We listened to an interview at WNYC online with researcher Gabriele Oettingen*, and we checked out the webpage WOOPMYLIFE. Here's a summary: "roadblocks can lead to success," and pawsitivity has its place, but may need to be reconsidered.

It's super usable... basically, you coach yourself (or I coach Mom). For example, here's my WOOP for today:
WISH: Walkies!
OUTCOME: Go on walkies.
OBSTACLE: I need a human to walk me on leash.
PLAN: Stand by the front door until human gets a clue.

IT WORKED!

Mom's WOOP is a little more complicated:
WISH: Be a dog.
OUTCOME: Become a dog.
OBSTACLE: Mom is human.
PLAN: No plan. Not possible. Mourn not being able to be a dog in this lifetime.

Okay, so it didn't work for that.

But it works for this, for Mom:
WISH: Meditate daily.
OUTCOME: A more regular meditation practice.
OBSTACLE: Life is a total distraction. Mom gets uncomfortable, stiff, and sore sitting still. Mom forgets to set her sights in a more reasonable fashion.
PLAN: Meditate 4x / week / for ten minutes each time.

IT WORKED! Mom and I have been meditating for two weeks now with the above plan. Super helpful. Thank you, WOOP!

* The interview was on the Brian Lehrer Show on WNYC -- "Optimism Can Make You Unhappy" -- here is that link.