Eye on the Ball

Hello friends and hello to the month of May!

The flowers are bloomin, trees are starting to pop, and the underground critters are on the move. As you know, this is one of my favorite times of year…digging season! I love digging – especially now that I have learned some restraint. Unlike last spring when I got in a bit over my head. If you haven’t read that story yet, check out Diggin In from my springtime adventure last year.

Now that May is finally here, I get to sink my paws into the thick muddy dirt and enjoy some long overdue dig therapy. As I nudged my nose into a gopher hole – I realized how much I have missed spring. Sniffing out the underground critters, rolling in the fresh cut lawn, and watching the ferns unfurl to create a new forest floor. 

It was while I was in one of my dig therapy sessions that I realized…spring is half over! A full thirty days have gone by and other than a few holes in the yard – I don’t have a lot to show for it. I’m pretty sure I went on adventures. I think. I know I went on at least one with my hooman. I vividly recall it because she brought along my pink squeaky ball (my hoomom doesn’t usually bring toys on walks).

The day was unusually warm and we headed down to the ravine toward the creek. My hoomom was squeaking all the way as she navigated the slippery slope (she only has two legs so it takes her longer to climb – poor thing). Once we got to the bottom, we began our game of fetch. She throws – I retrieve. It works for us. It was then, while I was in mid-retrieve splashing through the creek, that I got a whiff of something. I set the ball down (only for a second) and when I returned – it was GONE! 

My hooman was yelling, “Go get it! Go get it!” and I began to panic. I splashed this way and that – running and bouncing through the water. Eventually I realized the current had taken my ball and moved it down the creek. Although I was happy to have my ball back, the whole experience got me thinking… if you take your eye off the ball – things can disappear right from under your nose!

I think that is exactly what happened to the month of April. One minute I was lazily snuggeling on the couch with teddy, and the next minute spring had almost passed me by! 

So friends, as we head into digging season – keep your eye on the ball. Set a goal to find time every day to appreciate the wonder of springtime. Prioritize just a few moments to notice the world blooming and changing around you. Before long, we will be in the lazy hazy days of summer and spring will be gone for another year. So pay attention – or you may find yourself up a creek without a ball! 

Enjoy all the wonders that May has in store. Drop me a comment and let me know how your celebrating spring.

Bark at you in June!

Your friend,

P.S. As you head out for your May adventures, take a look at my May Wildflower Guide of what is blooming in my woods. I hope it will inspire you to get out exploring the wonders of springtime.