MightyMoment

It was a foggy morning in the wold, when I his human, yet to become known as Jeeves, Scamp, and Little Brofur set out on a quest abreast our noble steed Tucson.

We headed west along the old Roman Road colloquially known as the 419. The journey was wrought with many a peril, but Tucson that mighty diesel chugging beast battled dutifully against these omnipresent foes known as boy racers and Sunday drivers to carry us safely to our destination: Demi Eden. Fertile land where deer, pheasant, and rabbits roam freely alongside an enchanted brook.

But first we had to pass through the mighty turnstile gates. Valiant Little Brofur passed through the narrow gap between the gates of Doom in the blink of an eye. Scamp however, baring some resemblance around the middle to his fellow nobleman Henry VIII, almost got ensnared between the giant metal teeth. But he reached within and with a twist of the torso and a thrust of his mighty paws, he did it—he was free. To celebrate his victory he lifted his leg against the post so that any other dog who dared to travel this way henceforth would know of his triumph.

Next was the most perilous part of our quest. We would have to cross over the mighty rapids of The Lock. The water gurgled and roared as if powered by some dark beast within. Fortunately the gods had seen fit to build a bridge for one to cross over. And yet it is well known that when you have four paws, the five yard journey can be a frightening one, fraught with many a peril. Being light of paw, Little Brofur did a running vault and made it to the other side in three alacritous jumps. Not one to be outdone Scamp followed suit, albeit with slightly less aplomb. Though he was not light of paw, what he lacked in agility he made up for in courage, and so he boldly took the lead up the next crossing. The boardwalk across the marshland that separated our trio from the safety of our trusty steed Tucson who was bedded down next to the road, and our final hurdle: The Brook of Styx… otherwise known as The Ampney Brook.

Scamp scamped along the boardwalk taking care to avoid any gaps that might ensnare a paw that could see him dragged down into the jaws of Boggon: the bog monster that was well known to dwell within the muddy waters beneath, quietly laying in wait for fresh prey. “Not today Boggon!” Scamp followed closely by brave Little Brofur cried as they both boldly scamped across to safety on the other side.

Next up we had to traverse the muddy path toward the Brook, taking care to avoid the engorged roots of the trees that lined the path in yet another test of the courage that lay within each of our hearts. After lifting their legs on the sidings to signal to other dogs that they had once again prevailed, Scamp, Little Brofur, and I arrived alongside the mighty Ampney Brook.

There in the middle lay a great rock as the fast running water of the Brook sluiced by on other side. It was clear, to reach the other side, we would have to walk through the water. Little Brofur being undertall, jumped at the side of my leg to indicate he would need my help ferrying him across. Scamp sniffed at the water’s edge to ensure there were no tricksy water sprites lurking within. Satisfied that all was safe, he strode into the water and carefully began to walk towards the middle. With great courage and stout paws he made it to the great rock. He stood atop the great rock in triumph, and that is when it happened!

The Lady of the Brook emerged from the deep and presented him with Excalibone; anointing him so that he should henceforth go from that place and be known to all as The Duke of Bork. He turned toward me and decided that as his first royal decree henceforth I would be known as Jeeves, his loyal servant. He gave a snort in Little Brofur’s direction to let him know that he would be known to all as Sir Little Spare. Jeeves obligingly captured the moment for posterity so that they could leave this place and spread the word so that many would know about this day, and The Duke’s triumphant feat.

The Duke and Sir Little Spare continue to wander the realm of the wolds, at times lifting their legs in unison to ensure that both their legacies will evermore be preserved. As for me… I not certain about the Lady in the Brook, or Excalibone, which bore a striking resemblance to the remnants of a fox’s meal. But then again, who I am to challenge how my dog self identifies?

#MightyPets #DistractMe #Fun #Dogs #MightyMoment

(PART ONE) Please send me prayers, good vibes, healing energy and keep me in your thoughts. It would really be appreciated. It is very hard for me to ask for help…but bedrudgundly I have been parking in handicap parking spaces and recently began using a walker. To be honest I’ve had to! I had four falls at the end of December and I am constantly catching myself from falling over and having to regain my balance and re-direct myself. It is very challenging in my apartment where I have no support and very often find myself leaning against walls and always being very conscious to make slow turns part by part like a clock, and get up from a sitting position very carefully the special way I was taught.

Just this past February I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s with Essential Tremors and balance problems, and had to stop a med I took before bed for over 10 years that may have been causing it and then without it I didn’t get a good night’s sleep for over a month and woke up 3-4 times every night.

Two and a half months ago I had a bad fall at my mom’s, scared her half to death and injured my neck and shoulder. I had just started PT for that when I had another big fall … hard, and my head snapped back as I hit the ground. Later that week I was diagnosed with a concussion and I have seen 5 doctors and had about 10 appointments so far since then and been to a concussion clinic. Then I saw another Neurologist and he confirmed what another said…that my symptoms from my concussion likely will last up to 6 months!!! Thankfully it’s already been 6 weeks but there is 4.5 months ahead. But he was optimistic about the progression I’ve had and said I am on the Path to Recovery! But it sure is a rocky path!

Other symptoms I have had are really bad brain fog and memory issues which have left me having to stop and take a long break to find the right words or even remember where I am in a conversation, and having to look up the spelling or meaning of simple words. These two things are very scary and embarrassing…(please continue to Part Two below)

#MentalHealth #Depression #Anxiety #ChronicPain #ChronicIllness #Disability #Selflove #Selfcare #Concussion #balance #ParkinsonsDisease #EssentialTremor #PTSD #COVID19 #Migraine #MigraineBrainFog #Memory #HIVAIDS #longtermsurvivor #BipolarDisorder #Bipolar2Disorder #Bipolar1Disorder #BipolarDepression #ADHD #TheMighty #MightyMinute #MightyMoment #MightyTogether #DistractMe #IfYouFeelHopeless #Hope #relief #Love #PeripheralNeuropathy

At this time of year, it’s inevitable to hear, or read, about someone making well intentioned resolutions for the new year. But good intentions are nothing without action, in which case they become regrets enshrined in shame for extra macabre measure.

We all of us, are suckers for punishment to some degree.

Personally, I don’t care for the idea of carrying regrets around with me. I like my baggage light, and if I could—I’d carry none at all. Still working on that last part, but isn’t that part of what it’s about? Though I’ve never been one to make New Year’s resolutions, and I’m not about to break with this nonetradition now. But, apart from my health, there are some things I know I could be doing better in terms of carving out the meaning I want from my life, and I know I’m the only one who can make that happen.

That has been the blessing in this year of worsening health—it has deepened my understanding of how just how little most people care outside of themselves, so no more wasting precious energy on things that do not enrich my life.

As Nina Simone sang: It's a new dawn, It’s a new day, It's a new life for me…
And I'm feeling good.

#MightyMoment #MightyMusic #MyCondition #goals #MightyPets #MyalgicEncephalomyelitis

This little guy is pure sunshine ☀️. He loves his snow boots that enable him to hurtle throw the snow, and have himself a good old fashioned romp. I can always rely on him to give me a good photo op—unlike the Duke of Bork in the background there—who favours showing me his derrière whenever he sees me getting ready to take a photo 😆

Sending a little light your way,
Taryn x

#Dogs #MightyPets #MightyMoment #DistractMe #Fun

Another rare moment of the Duke of Bork actually looking happy! Cold weather, snow, and chewing bones are his happy places. And even though he is getting on in years now, he was so energised by the snow he was racing around in full on crazy DGAF sassy pants mode—which never fails to uplift our spirits 🥰

On my side, I’ve been quiet because I’ve just had an old root canal extracted. It was capped with metal and the platinum in it put a stop to my heavy metal removal regime, because there’s not much point continuing while you still have a source of metal in your body. It’s been on my health bucket list for some time.

Regular dentists say they won’t remove what they perceive to be a healthy looking tooth without cause, so I had to find myself a holistic dentist who better understood my needs. Despite possibly facing a soft food Christmas, things so far have been good in that he found an infection in the socket. I’ve suspected dental issues have been a contributing factor in my health for at least 10 years now, so I’m very hopefully that in a month or so I will notice some improvement.

In the interim there’s a chance we may get some heavy snow overnight. If we do, I’ll be dragging the snow shoes back out for me and for the puppies. The little one loves his so much, and I have a very cute picture of him running toward me legs akimbo which I’ll save for another Furriday distraction.

I hope that you are all in reasonably good health, and that you have the best possible pre Crimbo weekend. Sending virtual spoons to all who might need them, Taryn 🤍

#MightyPets #Furriday #Dogs #DistractMe #DentalCare #HeavyMetalPoisoning #thehardworkofbeingsick #ChronicIllness #MyalgicEncephalomyelitis #MightyMoment

We woke up to a surprise sprinkling of snow here on the edge of the Cotswolds today. It’s a rarity for us, and may be our only snow day. So if there’s one thing I’m willing to sacrifice spoons for; it’s the chance to get out and take some photos of the landscape all serene like under it’s white blanket of snow.

This hostorical Lock Keeper’s Cottage made for a good photo 📷. The dogs had just as much fun trying to catch snowballs, rubbing their faces in the snow, and some general scamping by the Duke of Bork (as he does—more pics to follow!)

I am grateful for moments like these that help to offset all the bad. I now think of it as a form of selfcare—pushing myself just a little to do something I really enjoy.

Even if I have to face some payback tomorrow, I will have new memories from today to hold on tight to, and to keep me going through the rough that may lay ahead. Memories mean I’m still here, still breathing… still alive. They help to kindle some hope for the chance at more memories and a future.

It’s more than many get, so for me this picture is more than something pretty to look at—it represents gratitude for a day well spent, and faith in my future 🤍

#Gratitude #Spoonie #MightyPets #Nature #Photography #MightyMoment #Selfcare #Selflove #MightyTogether #TheMighty

Some days my thoughts can go into some pretty dark spaces—but this little guy with all his joie de vivre, shines a light and reminds me that it isn’t all bad.

And perhaps, most importantly, he reminds me to live my best life and enjoy every little moment. This little guy certainly doesn’t take anything for granted… except maybe that I can’t be his full time belly rub butler 😆

#Dogs #MightyPets #ChronicIllness #MightyTogether #MightyMoment #Depression

Quoth the Yoda Puppy, “The day is dark and cold and dreary; it rains, and the wind is never weary. Strong the force was with that poet, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.”

Happy Monday all—Yoda Puppy and I wish you a good week with more light than dark 🤍🖤

#Dogs #MightyPets #bed #MightyTogether #MightyMoment #Fun #funny #Laugh #StarWars #Quotes #MightyQuotes #ChronicIllness #Spoonie #Spoonies

“The good times hide and so do I

Out of my control I dig a hole

If that's all the time that you got

Then I'd rather not waste my life on hold

I'm gonna let the bad times roll.”

~Paul Westerberg

I love the movie Catch & Release because a) Jen Gardner, b) Jen Gardner, and c) it’s ultimately a feel good movie that touches on some heavy issues like death, depression, and how family should be defined.

**SPOILER ALERT**

Family is simply who and what WE choose to make for ourselves. In my experience, it is most often those least deserving of our trust who would try convince you otherwise.

But, back to the movie…

I discovered this song from the soundtrack and thought it would make for an apt Chronic Illness Anthem. Because as much as I’d like to trade in my body for an upgrade, I would not give up the wisdom being ill has bestowed upon me.

Like knowing who is worthy of being called my family. And that sometimes, despite our hopes and best efforts, we just have to let the bad times roll—and not live our lives on hold.

What are your Spoonie Anthem contenders?

#Music #MightyMoment  #MightyMoment #musicsoothesthesoul   #MusicIsSavingMyLife #Movies  #Depression  #Death  #ChronicIllness #Spoonie #anthem