My Pepper

I tried to think of a creative title for this post, but all I could think of was "My Pepper", and they couldn't be truer words.  My Pepper is my most loyal friend, the keeper of my secrets and the holder of my heart (many people share my heart, but Pepper has a very special place!).  She is my bearded collie, sheep dog, companion!  So much more than a pet, more than a friend, and most certainly a part of this family!

From the not so small puppy to the beautiful lady she has become, I love this girlie more than I can express <3.

Looking in her face all I see is love, and the true form of unconditional love, I mean really she still loves me no matter what, and I love her no matter what, even when she chewed up my carpet :)!  She is only four years old and my heart already aches for the day that I will have to walk a trail without her by my side.  Mama loves you Pepper!

~*Seasoned Heart*~

I call this photo "Seasoned Heart".   

     I fell in love with this leaf while on a walk with my husband and dogs.  This tiny leaf laying in a mud puddle invoked a lot of thought and emotion in me.  The first and most obvious is its heart shape.  It took me back twenty years to a little girl obsessed with hearts dotting "i's", elementary school love, and secret codes with my best friend forever, now known as "bff" (Love you TNB now TNW <3).

     The second reason brings me back to adulthood and far from my carefree youth.  The leaf is partially submerged, and it symbolizes how I sometimes feel as though I am half drowning in a world where its hard to keep my head above water.

     The third reason is a testament to my name, Autumn.  The color changes of the leaf represent a new beginning, a story, and an end.  Something we all have in common.

     Last and most significant to me is the ripple in the water.  I learned that I could touch the water around the leaf and it would affect the leaf and the picture.  This showed me that my touch in life could cause change if I acted on my desire to make the world a better place.  

     I hope that my life will be like that ripple, and I hope that I add my own touch to make this world a beautiful picture. 

Auty