when i find that dealing with humans and their behaviors is getting to me, working in my yard is very theraputic. today i raked some leaves, and no matter how through i am in the fall, there are always more leaves from who-knows-where in the spring. i trimmed the ornamental grasses back and pruned the shrubs a bit. while there are hours of work ahead, just doing those 3 hours makes me feel more relaxed and reconnected to life. i'm starting year 4 of the five year backyard remake plan and some of the fruits of the second and third year are coming up nicely. i work at a hospital and seeing what one human can do to another can get me down somedays. this afternoon i discovered alex laying on a patch of sunny dry grass on his back, just enjoying the moment and peanut, the new dog likes to dig, just a bit...(hmm gotta remember not to let her see me transplant anything, she might need to help. ). we went for a walk after the main work was finished, both dogs are now snoring, i've had a nice bowl of homemade chicken veggie soup, and tomorrow i can go back, restored by the warm weather, and the promise of more yard work and flowers.