Happy Herman's Hideaway

Hello, my San Saba loves, and how has the beginning of 2021 been so far for you? I sure have to tell you, the ending of 2020 had me pretty miserable; I mean, the rain and the cold was bone chilling and horrible. My Facebook friends post pictures of snow all the time, but New Year’s Eve was the first time I ever saw it for myself. I went out on the front porch with mom, and it looked as though tiny pieces of cotton were falling from the sky. It was beautiful. No, I did not go play in it. Dad had given me a bath before it got really cold, and he told me he was not having me get my furry body in all that slushy stuff and get filthy. Hey, I wasn’t about to argue with him in case I ended up getting another bath. All our snow disappeared by mid-morning, and I have to say it was so nice to see the sun shining again. One thing I did enjoy about it, the snow and freezing weather, was it kept fireworks to a bare minimum in our neighborhood. I do not enjoy them, and most certainly not at three and four in the morning.

Want to hear something utterly ridiculous…sure you do! I heard mom talking to dad about teaching me how to use her treadmill. Excuse me, is she implying I am a tub of lard, a fatso, lazy or what? I am a dachshund, not an athlete, marathon runner, sprinter or any of those things. My perfect day consists of waking up, having my breakfast and then asking mom for treats throughout the day until it is dinner time…oh wait, perhaps that is the reason for her suggestion. Could I possibly have the personality of a garbage disposal? You guys know how I used to be addicted to chicken; well I have a new favorite thing: turkey sausage patties. I could eat those things until I feel like exploding, and I am not kidding. This is exactly how much I love them...mom made some the other day, but dad only ate some of them and left some on the stove. So I pretty much lived in the kitchen whining until mom had to march in and put them in a plastic bag in the refrigerator. I handled her action by moving my protest venue to the refrigerator! I must not be nearly as smart as mom because she ended up closing the kitchen completely, and I cannot open doors…I really hate when she outsmarts me like that.

We just started watching the third season of Kobra Kai on Netflix. Now, do I need to say I know nothing about Karate… I think that should go without saying. I mean, just look at me. Is there anything ninja about me? Anyway, the parentals saw all the Karate Kid movies when Shawn was growing up, and this series is a continuation with those guys all grown up and seemingly with the same feuds burning brightly. Um, seems to beg the question if they actually did grow up, now doesn’t it? What is that, mom? Some people grow up without maturing…now aren’t you always there with the smug answers… such a mature, grown-up you are! I think you missed a dust bunny over there, mom, don’t let it run away…quick now, like a grey hound…go get it!

I think it is strange, people put so much value in a New Year when it is in themselves they should put their trust. Change, new beginnings do not come from a calendar but from within the people who make it happen. If someone wants different in their life, they must be different in life. No longer have a desire to make mountains out of mole hills, then put on a new perspective and see what is actually in front of you! Even when circumstance happens due to the acts of others, playing the blame game never improves a single thing in the life of the person laying the bricks of blame other than the wall of seclusion they build around themselves. They say Rome wasn’t built in a day, but I bet it was nearly destroyed in one. So take the time to care about yourself, nurture yourself, give yourself time to breathe…you can be your greater self.

I love you, my San Saba friends, oh so very much! One thing I can promise you...I will not be any less silly in 2021. I am known as Happy Herman for a reason: my tail doesn’t as much wag as it helicopters. Yeah, dad often asks me if I am ready for take-off, and that might be possible if I hadn’t eaten so many turkey sausage patties! People often speak about wanting to be rich, and I feel as though I am so incredibly wealthy! I have the most loving parentals, the absolutely best and amazing community of friends that are more family on Facebook and all of you, my wonderful San Saba dears. Yes, I am a very rich dachshund. You know, when someone leaves this earth, they bequeath all their earthly goods to those left behind, but what they leave inside them is their love, time and memories. Thank you for being!