Great post Wendy, what a joy to see you and your friend enjoying the outdoors. I must admit that I'm kind of a hibernator in Pittsburgh's overcast, coldish winter (and my cat hibernates with me), but spring is yanking me outside now, and I couldn't agree with you more about the writing benefits of walking. I love how you say it, and your doggy perspective!
I couldn't love this more, and of course it's all completely true. Walking - and the only kind of walking i know is with my dogs - heals us, inspires us, and okay, I'll say it, makes life worth living. I generally don't think at all when I'm walking my dogs. I try to stay in the moment with them, be interested in what interests them, notice what they notice. I come home refreshed and ready to work. I love this essay Wendy, and absolutely love the photos. You are so lucky to live in such a beautiful place.
Wendy - I have a question and an observation. First, the observation. I wonder why, after many months, this April 4th post if still pinned on Happy Tales. I get that you are understandably proud of it - it's a very good piece. But here's my reaction in 3 parts; a) at first blush a visitor/reader might think that's your most recent and they might wonder whether you are still active on this platform without exploring your most recent work; b) readers might think that's your 'best work', and might not be inclined to read your other more recent work because it might imply for them that your Apr. 4 piece is your best work, and not dig into other pieces to get a sense of your writing and how this work is obviously about dogs, dog owners, your dog, and about YOU living vicariously through your pooch (one guy's opinion - ignore completely if I've got this wrong, but the happy and the tales are 'absolutely' human experiences you tell. In my view, the more 'of you' in your work that readers 'get', the more readers you'll get!; c) I want to read more of you that isn't about dog walk metaphor - so I encourage you to take the 'tale off the trail' sometimes - show me more you, whether your do it here or if you do a 'section' of different work, I'd like to see some of that. For instance, do you write poetry, do you write short stories, do you interview the vet, the dog catcher or the butcher? Sorry for being longwinded, but I seem to have some extra wind in my sails this morning. Cheers, Mark
Thanks for the observation, Mark! I'm still pretty new to Substack and didn't even realize that was still pinned. I guess the solution is not to pin anything and then the most recent one will be at the top, right? I'll try that, anyway.
I have three publications - Musings, MondayMorningMinute and REITrag ... and I've gotten into a routine, each time something publishes - I pin it, and immediately un-pin previous one. As I understand it, the archive seems to be chronological, and the TOP (not sure, but think it is) is based on popularity - most read (not sure if that's total numbers or % of reads. Cheers, M
That sounds like a good practice, and I'm gonna try to adhere to it. I don't know how you manage all those pubs - I barely have time for one! (and I'm pretty sure I write a lot more slowly than you)
Visa-vi creativity, I have pretty much the same experience: typically, when I'm "stuck" or when I've written myself into a corner, so to speak, and need inspirayion, it inevitably happens after I go for a walk--these days, weather permitting 4 miles. Amazingly, though, the ideas often start popping by the time I get to the end of our relatively short driveway! Enjoying your writing, Wendy. Best wishes--Uncle Jeff
I'm so happy you read and enjoyed it! Tock reminds me a lot of one of my former border collies, too, to the point where I almost think he's his reincarnation.
Great post Wendy, what a joy to see you and your friend enjoying the outdoors. I must admit that I'm kind of a hibernator in Pittsburgh's overcast, coldish winter (and my cat hibernates with me), but spring is yanking me outside now, and I couldn't agree with you more about the writing benefits of walking. I love how you say it, and your doggy perspective!
Get that kitty on a leash (or a baby sling?) and head on out, Cynthia! Thanks so much for reading this.
🤣🤣🤣 Just a little.
I couldn't love this more, and of course it's all completely true. Walking - and the only kind of walking i know is with my dogs - heals us, inspires us, and okay, I'll say it, makes life worth living. I generally don't think at all when I'm walking my dogs. I try to stay in the moment with them, be interested in what interests them, notice what they notice. I come home refreshed and ready to work. I love this essay Wendy, and absolutely love the photos. You are so lucky to live in such a beautiful place.
Thanks so much, Suzy! I kinda figured you'd be able to relate to it...
Wendy - I have a question and an observation. First, the observation. I wonder why, after many months, this April 4th post if still pinned on Happy Tales. I get that you are understandably proud of it - it's a very good piece. But here's my reaction in 3 parts; a) at first blush a visitor/reader might think that's your most recent and they might wonder whether you are still active on this platform without exploring your most recent work; b) readers might think that's your 'best work', and might not be inclined to read your other more recent work because it might imply for them that your Apr. 4 piece is your best work, and not dig into other pieces to get a sense of your writing and how this work is obviously about dogs, dog owners, your dog, and about YOU living vicariously through your pooch (one guy's opinion - ignore completely if I've got this wrong, but the happy and the tales are 'absolutely' human experiences you tell. In my view, the more 'of you' in your work that readers 'get', the more readers you'll get!; c) I want to read more of you that isn't about dog walk metaphor - so I encourage you to take the 'tale off the trail' sometimes - show me more you, whether your do it here or if you do a 'section' of different work, I'd like to see some of that. For instance, do you write poetry, do you write short stories, do you interview the vet, the dog catcher or the butcher? Sorry for being longwinded, but I seem to have some extra wind in my sails this morning. Cheers, Mark
Thanks for the observation, Mark! I'm still pretty new to Substack and didn't even realize that was still pinned. I guess the solution is not to pin anything and then the most recent one will be at the top, right? I'll try that, anyway.
I have three publications - Musings, MondayMorningMinute and REITrag ... and I've gotten into a routine, each time something publishes - I pin it, and immediately un-pin previous one. As I understand it, the archive seems to be chronological, and the TOP (not sure, but think it is) is based on popularity - most read (not sure if that's total numbers or % of reads. Cheers, M
That sounds like a good practice, and I'm gonna try to adhere to it. I don't know how you manage all those pubs - I barely have time for one! (and I'm pretty sure I write a lot more slowly than you)
I agree with Cynthia. This is a great post! And your back yard reminds me of our back yard.
I'm glad you have similar opportunities for inspiration!
I enjoyed this, Wendy. It almost makes me want a dog.
Well, you have a very sweet neighbor dog who can stand in ! It makes me happy that you read this.
Visa-vi creativity, I have pretty much the same experience: typically, when I'm "stuck" or when I've written myself into a corner, so to speak, and need inspirayion, it inevitably happens after I go for a walk--these days, weather permitting 4 miles. Amazingly, though, the ideas often start popping by the time I get to the end of our relatively short driveway! Enjoying your writing, Wendy. Best wishes--Uncle Jeff
You're right, it often doesn't take long for the creativity to start up, does it? Thanks for reading, Jeff!
Fabulous, Wendy! Thanks so much for sharing. I'm inspired to take another walk with my dogs right now :-)
Congratulations on your first Substack post and I very much look forward to reading the next one!
Thanks for reading it Robin! Looking forward to a walk with you very soon...
"Just me & my own two feet, in the heat, I got myself to meet."
-- Red Hot Chili Peppers
Great quote! (except it needs a mention of the four paws, too)
I'm so happy you read and enjoyed it! Tock reminds me a lot of one of my former border collies, too, to the point where I almost think he's his reincarnation.
Aw, thanks, Nadia - so glad you read it! (I think he's pretty cute, too)