Author Archives: Patrick Cole

About Patrick Cole

Husband, parent and writer. Sharing stories with a little humor and wisdom along the way.

High Coo – August 27 – August New Moon

A new moon is the least visible to us but still has significant impact on our planet and therefore our lives. See https://moon.nasa.gov/moon-in-motion/moon-phases/

I will be celebrating this new moon at a meditation retreat center that includes monastic and lay people sharing observations on the state of our four-fold sangha practice. Previous retreats with this group have generated surprises and new insights. We shall see what this day brings.

Today’s haiku: August New Moon

My name, peaceful moon

of the heart (and of the sky),

let’s pause, breathe and smile

High Coo – August 26 – National Dog Day

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Kobe, a Shih-Poo mix, was the first dog of our marriage

Today is National Dog Day, first established in 2004 by pet & family lifestyle advocate Colleen Paige. See https://nationaltoday.com/national-dog-day/ and https://www.colleenpaige.com/about

As my previous posts will attest, I love dogs. Walking, fostering, adopting and sharing the companionship of dogs.

I realize Zen koans are deeper than they first appear, but I confess I laughed out loud when I heard the question: Does a dog have Buddha-nature? I have found dogs to be far more advanced on the compassionate wisdom journey than some of the humans I encounter. Check out this site for another perspective: https://www.beliefnet.com/faiths/2000/07/does-a-dog-have-buddha-nature.aspx

Today’s haiku: National Dog Day

Starting and ending

each day with a dog brings joy

to ev’ry moment

Whatever your philosophy of life, I hope you consider donating to a pet rescue organization and/or fostering or adopting a rescue dog in the near future.

Our second dog, Dia, with a piece of jerky in her mouth 🙂

High Coo – August 25 – National Parks Day

High Coo – August 24 – William Wilberforce Day

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William Wilberforce
by Karl Anton Hickel, c. 1794

William Wilberforce was born on this day in 1759. He was a British politician and leader of the movement to abolish the slave trade. It took him over forty years to accomplish this objective but his perseverance and ability to compromise ultimately led to success.

In addition, “Wilberforce was convinced of the importance of religion, morality and education. He championed causes and campaigns such as … the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.” (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Wilberforce)

Here’s today’s haiku: Happy Birthday William Wilberforce

Persistence pays off.

Small victories multiply

when you are focused.

A statue of William Wilberforce outside Wilberforce House, his birthplace in Hull, England.

High Coo – August 23 – Int’l Blind Dog Day

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August 23 celebrates International Blind Dog Day in recognition for all the things dogs can do without the sense of sight. Like humans, dogs with one disability are still able to do many other things with their other senses.

This holiday was initiated by Sarah Horne and her dog Shampoo (nka Shammy) in 2017 to help raise awareness that blind dogs (and dogs losing their vision) can still be wonderful companions and do many things on their own with proper care. See https://www.bettyandbutch.co.uk/blogs/community/international-blind-dog-day

Today’s haiku: International Blind Dog Day

Without sight, I can

still hear, smell, taste and touch you.

Love conquers blindness.

For more information on the benefits of sharing your life with a blind dog see https://nationaltoday.com/international-blind-dog-day/

Below is a picture of Etta Pearl, our adopted blind, deaf MinPin-Doxie.

High Coo – August 22 – Killing for Love?

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Today is the International Day to Commemorate Victims of Religious-based Violence which was first celebrated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2019.

The holiday explanation (see: https://nationaltoday.com/international-day-commemorating-the-victims-of-acts-of-violence-based-on-religion-or-belief/) states “Religion offers moral codes and teachings that can guide people to better their lives and the lives of others. But there’s ample evidence showing it may achieve the opposite.”

Today’s haiku: Killing for Love?

If life is sacred,

is harming life sacred too?

Does love inspire hate?

I think it’s healthy to question whether our actions support our beliefs. I think it’s helpful to invite “fellow believers” to do the same. I’m interested in knowing what you think.

High Coo – August 21 – National Senior Citizens Day

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Thirty-four years ago today, the oldest US President at the time, Ronald Reagan, established National Senior Citizens Day. Reagan was elected to office at age 69 and served until he was 77. He established this national holiday to recognize that people can continue to contribute well beyond traditional retirement age. See: https://respectcaregivers.org/national-senior-citizens-day/

So how old is a senior citizen? According to this holiday, senior citizenship begins at age 60. See: https://nationaltoday.com/national-senior-citizens-day/

Today’s haiku: National Senior Citizens Day

Age is a number

to track personal growth and

honor endurance

May our children and grandchildren become senior citizens someday. _/\_

Below is a recent picture of my granddaughter, daughter, me and my son-in-law.

High Coo – August 20 – Int’l Homeless Animals Day

High Coo – August 19 – World Photography Day

High Coo – August 18 – KISS

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Somedays I just want it simple. Sweet and simple. Inhale, exhale. Here and now. But life is not always simple.

Songwriter Dick Feller wrote and recorded Some Days Are Diamonds (Some Days Are Stone). His recording of this song never hit the charts. John Denver covered it five years later and it was a hit. (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Some_Days_Are_Diamonds_Some_Days_Are_Stone). But there’s more to this story.

Dick Feller, born Richard Dean Feller in 1943, wrote many hit songs that were recorded by others such as Tex Ritter, Jimmy Dean, Jerry Reed et al. But there’s more to this story.

Dick Feller published his/her autobiography Some Days Are Diamonds in 2014 when “she came out publicly as a trans woman and adopted the name Deena Kaye Rose. Her book was rejected by the Nashville library system in 2019.” (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deena_Kaye_Rose).

My heart goes out to all of us today as we try to keep it simple, sweetheart. And when life isn’t simple, I invite you to pause, breathe and smile.

Today’s haiku: KISS

Let’s keep it simple

when we can and when we can’t

take a peaceful breath.

Life Matters

CHOOSE LOVE