Communication

Communication can be one of the most confusing aspects of being a human. When you say something clear and concise, the listener is looking, nodding and giving feedback; you have a feeling inside that you are confident that the two of you are "on the same page," then you find out that you aren't. Just this simple transaction can lead to great pain. We are potty training Zoe, our new puppy. We have given her a specific area in which to relieve herself, we take her to that spot after she wakes up from a nap or eats. Yet after three weeks, she will be at her designated spot, cry to be let back into the house or try to run in past me, the human barricade at the door, and find a nice spot on our floor to reliever herself. DOH! It is so nice to have a new member of the family at the house. She has made herself at home with Manuel, the cats, and I. Learning how to communicate to one who does not know your language definitely requires patience and understanding. Sometimes Manuel and I feel like we are frustrated with Zoe, but she just looks at us with those eyes and that wagging tail that just make you want to laugh and pick her up, but sometimes that will not be beneficial to the upbringing of this new family member. I watch how the cats interact with Zoe. There is no messing around. If the cat does not like the puppy nipping at his tail, he turns around and starts boxing the puppy. Thank goodness the cats are declawed so even when I hear the puppy crying, I know she is not getting pulverized.

Communication between not just pets is important. More recently, communication between my husband and I especially. Most of the time, I feel that Manuel and I are on the same page. Our flow and energy together is amazing. When we work together, things get done so smoothly, efficiently, and quickly. Before we got married, we felt that we communicated the same. For some reason after some time has passed and we have been married a little over a year, we are beginning to learn that men and women communicate differently. So the item I believe that is most in communication is CLARIFICATION, CLARIFICATION, CLARIFICATION. So a word of advice: even when you believe that you are on the same page, make sure you get a verbal clarification from the one you are communicating with so that you do not run into mishaps later on.

Enough on communication for now, the porch project aka: House of Guru Ram Das Project is doing well. Manuel, David and Joe (David and Joe pictured above) have been working hard to complete phase I of the House of Guru Ram Das. Today they should be completing the primer for the porch and the front porch should be done for now (they are waiting to find out the color of the rest of the house before painting the primer area- so it matches the rest of the house). The security screen door in the front has also been installed. I also wanted to mention that these three men are putting a lot of hard work and effort into this project. They are working from the good of their hearts, they are not on a payroll; there isn't enough funding for that. Another item of mention is David. David is working on crutches. He has a broken leg and has been working faithfully on this project despite his physical handicap. To me, that is dedication.