What is love?

The idea of love has long baffled me.

We live in a society where love is often not distinguished from like, obsession, or enjoyment, and the word itself is thrown around so frequently that it may often be void of any true value. There's an word usage lesson here, but that's not what I'm asking you to see.

Recently, I bumped into an old acquaintance (Walmart, of all places) I hadn't seen in ten years. We chatted for a minute or two and as we walked away, this person hugs me and says, "Oh I just love you so much!" Really?

Or my strung out neighbors, for example. Every Friday night they consume too many illegal substances, he beats the tar out of her, she throws glass bottles at him, and two hours later they're caressing and proclaiming their vibrant, undying love. I beg to differ.

I can accept that humanity is flawed, and I understand we often make mistakes and even hurt the ones we love. I'm not attacking mistakes, I'm waging war on empty words. I'm challenging you to love those around you with more than your mouth. Remember that age old phrase your mother taught you?

"Actions speak louder than words, honey."

Well, mama was right. Love is a verb. "An action requiring your involvement and your active participation," as my last Pinterest find pointed out. I'm so tired of "I love you" being a obligated phrase people feel compelled to recite. Let your yes be yes and your no be no, and let your words stand behind your actions.

When we put our money where our mouth is, our families will heal. Our marriages will blossom and our children will trust us. Let love win.

Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 

Way back from yesteryear

I'm working on new material for you, my lovely readers. Until then, here's one of my favorite pieces from way back. Thankfully, none of this nonsense came to fruition, as she was later diagnosed with, "fake pregnancy." Who knew dogs could lactate due to a hormone imbalance? Anyhow, enjoy.

There's pregnant, and then there's porker!

Did you know that large breeds of dogs can have up to TWELVE puppies? Twelve. That's "doce" in Spanish, in case you didn't catch the sheer terror in my voice the first time around.

Much to my shock and dismay, Precious hasn't been so sweetly. We had a deal; if she kept her dress down I would spare her the pain of the, "snippety snip." Well, the joke's on me...at least until it's time to deliver.

Since I've had time to adjust to the fact I'm about to have a dozen more costly dependents and had to can all my pending travel arrangements, I have finally let minimal excitement set in. I mean, when is the last time you saw an ugly puppy?

In lieu of recent revelations, I've made significant changes to senorita preggo's daily diet, such as a necessary increase in caloric consumption. I've found even the most finicky eat has a soft spot for dog food smothered in warm cream of chicken soup. However, if it's cold, you can forget it.

The porker on the other hand, doesn't have the first qualm about eating three times a day. In fact, she's lobbying for a midnight snack, but I'm standing my ground. Under normal circumstances, it takes an act of Congress to get the fat little angle out of bed any time past breakfast, but make no mistake about it, break out the chicken soup and she is on her way.

So there you have it. Pregnant, porker, and soon to be pauper. Life is good.