That’s what I’ve got today. Solace. Just a little bit, but sometimes a little bit goes a long way.
First, I want to share a book, Hand in Hand, that I am reading a few pages of every day. It is the kind of art that reminds us of all the good in the world, and is one of the things that is giving me exactly what I need right now. It’s inspired by the macro photography of Meg Boscov, and the micro (non)fiction writing of her husband, Randy Brown of Matter Press.
Here’s the inside of the book–one side a stunning photograph, the other relevant muses, quotes and explorations. I read a few pages every morning. It’s my favorite way to start the day. And the perfect reminder that we may be isolated, but we are all in this together.
I’ve shared a few of Meg’s photographs before, this is one of my favorites:
I add this in to remind myself to tell you that I have no objectivity whatsoever. Meg and Randy are dear, dear friends. But I’d bet the farm–and did I mention that I have one?–that I’d love this book whether I knew the authors or not.
Next, I want to tell you about the podcast I did Saturday March 28th with some amazing people. Come, Sit, Stay (still available, at least for few weeks), was initiated by internationally known dog trainer and speaker, Kathy Sado, when she called Lynn Ungar after reading her remarkable poem, Pandemic. Lynn has given me permission to share that poem here:
Pandemic
What if you thought of it
as the Jews consider the Sabbath—
the most sacred of times?
Cease from travel.
Cease from buying and selling.
Give up, just for now,
on trying to make the world
different than it is.
Sing. Pray. Touch only those
to whom you commit your life.
Center down.
And when your body has become still,
reach out with your heart.
Know that we are connected
in ways that are terrifying and beautiful.
(You could hardly deny it now.)
Know that our lives
are in one another’s hands.
(Surely, that has come clear.)
Do not reach out your hands.
Reach out your heart.
Reach out your words.
Reach out all the tendrils
of compassion that move, invisibly,
where we cannot touch.
Promise this world your love–
for better or for worse,
in sickness and in health,
so long as we all shall live.
–Lynn Ungar 3/11/20
The poem began a connection between Kathy and Lynn, that turned into a connection between them, me, veterinary behaviorist Dr. Chris Pachel, dog trainer Marissa Martino of the podcast Canine Conversations and Paws and Reward training, and Barrie Finger of Mindful Dog Training, who led us on a short meditation, all backed up by the ridiculously adept techie skills of Marissa and Susan Solomon, who then connected us with 450 people from all over the world. We’re in this together for sure, and together the dog training village shared our grief, fear, joy, senses of humor, and some practical ways to weather this crisis.
During the podcast, I talked about all of us being on what Joseph Campbell, in The Hero with a Thousand Faces, calls the universal story of the hero’s journey, in which an ordinary person finds themselves in a strange and unfamiliar world, and has to fight life-threatening danger, not to mention their own fears, to come out on the other side. And when they do, they are better for it, as is often the world around them.
Here’s a poem that Lynn Ungar wrote just hours after we did the podcast, inspired by the concept of the hero’s journey:
On the Other Side
Through the looking glass,
down the rabbit hole,
into the wardrobe and out
into the enchanted forest
where animals talk
and danger lurks and nothing
works quite the way it did before,
you have fallen into a new story.
It is possible that you
are much bigger—or smaller—
than you thought.
It is possible to drown
in the ocean of your own tears.
It is possible that mysterious friends
have armed you with magical weapons
you don’t yet understand,
but which you will need
to save your own life and the world.
Everything here is foreign.
Nothing quite makes sense.
That’s how it works.
Do not confuse the beginning
of the story with the end.
Lynn Ungar 3/28/20
Gorgeous, right?
I hope you find a chance to listen to the podcast, Come, Sit, Stay. I found a lot of wisdom and solace in it, thanks to Kathy, Chris, Lynn, Marissa and Barrie, and I am grateful for the connection.
MEANWHILE, back on the farm: Although the weekend was wet and soggy, last Friday was gloriously sunny. Inspired by the photograph in Hand in Hand, I ventured out with my camera and found this:
[Help? I need a title–ideas? (It’s rhubarb)]
And finally,
Cats. We invented photo bombing. Don’t bother trying to beat us at it.
Stay well good friends, and stay connected.
Kristin Lucey says
Thank you, thank you, thank you for overcoming your initial instinctive reaction to refuse and instead agreeing to be part of that podcast. Seeing your lovely face (I am still such a huge fan of your hair color), hearing your indefatigable humor and spending that hour and a half with you and those other lovely people (I am an unabashed Kathy Sdao fan-girl, too) was food for the soul.
Be well and stay safe… xoxo
Anne Johnson says
I have to agree that the time spent listening how all of you are dealing with this unprecedented time in all of our lives was well spent. Your analogy of the hedge was spot on. I have relied on my work with dogs and horses to keep my mind busy, and of course diving into the stack of books that I didn’t find time to read – until now – “For The Love of A Dog.”
Trisha says
Thanks so much Anne, glad it was worthwhile.
Trisha says
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! It was nurturing for us all I think. What a village we have!
LisaW says
Rhubarb: The Unfurling
Love the photos and the solace.
Take care.
Cheryl Edwards says
O.M.G. The podcast. I do not have even close to adequate words for how touching and beautiful it was! The incredible artistry, and humanity, and sharing, and vulnerability…….. wow. I was privileged to be one of the 450-something people there; I truly hope that thousands more will listen to the replay. So much love and many thanks to ALL of you, Kathy, Chris, Lynn, Barri, Marissa, but especially you Patricia for agreeing to participate even though you didn’t want to at first – that was such a gift to those of us who admire and follow your work. You opened the door for us to receive that because you chose to be there. And the sheep trial story; please NEVER stop telling it! 🙂 Much Love to you and yours, stay safe, enjoy the sun today!
Debby Gray says
Yes thank you Trisha for being a part of that amazing conversation. I sat down at the computer a little while ago pen and paper in hand to take notes this time through. My dog had different ideas a day as soon as I was comfortably settled he insisted on climbing up in my lap. At 26 lbs he’s just a little too big to be a comfortable lap dog but he was content to lie still while I watched nearly all of the conversation again.
I loved your photographs each one a meditation in its own right and another meditation collectively.
Barbara says
The rhubarb: Future Dessert
I do plan to listen to this podcast. Sounds like it will be a wonderful worthwhile experience.
A bit of humor in these troubling times: One of our local restaurants has a sign on its door that says – KEEP CALM AND CARRY OUT! Not quite what the queen said but I like it.
Trisha says
Barbara: Love it. My motto has been Keep Calm and Keep Cooking. But then, that’s no different than the rest of my life.
Laney says
The webinar was outstanding. And warming. How about “Help?” (Which I thought was the caption at first, and a good one 🙂
Tails Around the Ranch says
The macro photography of Meg Boscov is beyond incredible! I think I actually gasped while drooling at their beauty. Thank you for sharing those images as well as that poetry that is more than applicable these days. Stay healthy, stay strong and keep smiling.
Honey Loring says
This poem has nothing to do with the conversation except to acknowledge that without my dogs I’d be a wreck. (Hawk was a big black bombastic Standard Poodle who was the doggie version of John Travolta in “Saturday Night Fever” when he arrived on the dance floor in his white suit.
MY DOG HAWK
HE SURE LOVES ME.
OOPS! THERE’S A CAT.
I’M HISTORY.
I’d title the rhubarb picture as “Pie in disguise.”
Trisha says
Barbara: Love it. My motto has been Keep Calm and Keep Cooking. But then, that’s no different than the rest of my life.
Trisha says
Honey, love the “pie in disguise!” I came up with Pie Rising myself after posting. 🙂
Trisha says
Ha Laney, love the Help! title that wasn’t a title but could be a good one!
Keri Lyall says
Delighted to read Lynn’s latest poem inspired by your story. Note, your story telling has forever changed the image of a hedge in my mind. I walk my dog past houses and what was merely shrubbery or meticulously sculpted landscaping now spins reflective, analytical and forthcoming thoughts to walls, obstacles, and open doors.
The Come Sit Stay podcast was amazing from how it came about to the relaxing meditation in the end and the realization that we are all in this together. Great analogies of our current fear with today’s corona virus affecting the world to the fears with which our dog clients and human clients struggle. FEAR forget everything and run or face everything and rise – It’s your choice (widely shared unknown author) comes to mind. Thank you to you and Lynn and others on the panel for filling my toolbox with magical weapons.
Gregory Lee says
Lol, title for rhubarb, TRASH, YUCK, I’D RATHER EAT GREEN BEANS AND I REALLY HATE GREEN BEANS.
Trisha says
Thank you so much Keri, especially love the ‘magical thinking’ line!
Trisha says
Ah, Gregory, I used to hate Green Beans too until I learned to flash cook them (fresh only) in a hot pan. Now I”m a fan (but not for canned or frozen yet…). But rhubarb, oh too bad! Granted it needs a lot of sweetner!
Barb Stanek says
And you and Jim. Stay well in every way.
Leslie says
I can’t thank you enough for Come, Sit, Stay. I tuned in assuming that I would soon be bored, or sad, or….I stayed to the last second. The openness, the caring and and the wisdom blew me away and, like you, I found solice. Blessings on all of you for sharing.
Trisha says
Thanks so much! I’m so glad you found it useful.
gayla says
From those of us who don’t Facebook, and would probably have missed seeing it…Thank you!
As wise and comforting as a group therapy session. May we all feel healthy, and safe, and supported, while we endeavor to IMAGINE!
Gayle Hunter says
Is there some place I could find the first poem Liz read in the podcast? (actually any of her poems they resonate deeply for me).
Michael says
All I can say is thank you. Loved the photos.
Chris from Boise says
A grey and rainy day today was the perfect space to listen to the podcast. Wow. Lots and lots to digest. For now, I will carry with me “I choose to believe that each and every person, including me, is doing the best they can with the tools they have available to them in that moment”. And to learn to sit with powerful feelings – mine or others – rather than trying distraction or fixing. And “barking and lunging” is not only in dogs. And hedges (and other obstacles) may be portals. And that Lynn Ungar’s poems are lifelines in these chaotic days. Just – wow. Thank you.
As a knitting friend says these days: Keep Calm and Carry Yarn.
Nannette Morgan says
Dear Trisha,
Thanks for sharing the podcast. I didn’t know about it. Such a GIFT! I’ve shared it with my fellow mental health workers and fellow dog trainers. Truly a treasure!
Sending best wishes to everyone to hang in there and appreciate the little miracles of every day like our dogs and of course, spending more time with them and our families.
Timaran says
Hi Trisha. Like many, I am sheltering in place and teleworking during the current crisis. As a pretty extreme introvert, I’m not feeling too much stress over staying at home, but it has been enlightening to me to have interactions over Outlook Teams and realize that many of my co-workers are really struggling with the isolation that they feel. One co-worker set up a “stress relief” channel in Teams and people are responding–especially with pictures and anecdotes about their dogs and cats. Some of the stories and thoughts are funny–some make it poignantly apparent that not everyone is as comfortable being alone as I am.
With that in mind, I found this post and the poems you quoted to be particularly moving. I care about my co-workers and their well-being and I wondered if it would it be kosher for me to post the link to your website (this post in particular) in our Teams Stress Relief channel? I don’t want to if it’s not appropriate but I think a lot of people would be appreciative. I will be happy to provide more information offline if you would like.
Either way, thanks for posting this. It was just what the doctor ordered for these times.
Trisha says
Gayle, Just click upon the link in her name, it goes to her website and all her poems.
Trisha says
Timaran, I’d be honored if you linked to the podcast! Please do, it can be shared with anyone.
Melanie Hawkes says
Wow! What a gift that was! Glad I finally watched it all. My normally reactive dog Upton lay down during the meditation and hasn’t got up since. Will be doing more of it! Thank you all so much and stay safe.
Melanie Hawkes says
I forgot to say how nice it was to see your face, Trisha! I’m always reading your blogs without seeing you. I’m reading The Education of Will and it’s hard to believe your face radiates such beauty after what you have been through. I hope I’ll be fortunate enough to look that good
when I’m your age. Keep smiling everyone.
Trisha says
Melanie: Compliments like that will get you everywhere.:-)