There are days when disheartening news just seems overwhelming, casting one into an mindset of hopeless fear of outcomes. The world seems in turmoil. Misery everywhere. Threats, violence, hordes of people leaving their countries of origin in hopes of finding better lives elsewhere. Others living in stable nations find discontent with what they perceive as a government move to deprive them of the metrics of civilized life, and rebel. In some countries those rebellions elicit a response dangerous to survival. In others, the government implores the angry multitudes taking to the streets with their grievance to help restore calm and all will be well.

And then there is our own personal life. Where all in actual fact, is serene. We have everything we need. We feel that each of us is to the other the sun of our universe and find in that, sublime comfort. We can, between us, calmly discuss the earth-shaking events that erupt all around us; earthquake disasters, and wars afflicting humanity. And here we are, insular physically from all that threatens the well-being of others living in foreign lands.

Still, that disturbing news of ongoing conflicts and the suffering of innocent people cannot help but move others in non-involved communities to tears. We hug our safety and security close and thank fortune for all that we have in our lives. To be deprived as so many are, is unthinkable.

We think instead, as we must, of the pedestrian matters in our lives requiring attention. Such as the care and comfort of our two little dogs. And take them out with us for their daily afternoon exercise and run-about in the forest awaiting our entrance. Today, milder temperature above the freezing mark has softened the ice-and-snow-covered trails and we heed our footing in conditions that can topple the balance of the unprepared.

The sun came and went, languidly moving in its springtime arc across a blue sky with fleecy clouds. The snow illuminated by the sun's piercing rays through the tree canopy, poses a hindrance to complete landscape awareness. My eyes water under the sun's insistent glare reminding me that I should have worn sunglasses.

Our little dogs romp about happily. It's no struggle for them to ascend the ravine's hills, as it is for us. When we top one of the hills, we wait awhile. The ascent demands endurance and energy, both somewhat diminished with age, as we continue slipping backward for every step forward. Jackie and Jillie politely wait for us to regain a normal heart rate and we forge on.