Sharon Says Hello

Just a quick stop.

Travelogue: Scottish Highlands Part II; Sleeping in a lighthouse at the edge of the world with sheep friends

Travelogue: Scottish Highlands

Not a bad place to be with my dad.

HAPPY NATIONAL DOG DAY! Meet Greta Goodtrouble.

If you know me at all, you know I’m a dog person. I can rattle off obscure facts about Newfoundlands, I once hired a dog to sniff out bed bugs at an old apartment, and I think the ideal Saturday morning involves creeping at the dog park with pastry in hand. When we bought our house last October we immediately began to search for the furry family member that would make our new space a real home.

We adopted a puppy, Freya, in January but discovered after just a few weeks together that her heart hadn’t been fully formed at birth. We worked with a team of cardiologists to provide her with the best possible care but her heart simply could not grow with her. As her quality of life declined we were forced, with heavy hearts, to let her go.

Our time together was short but we filled it with love. Beef tripe, dried duck eyeballs, maple bacon peanut butter…  if it was edible and it smelled atrocious she tried it! We tucked her into a duffle bag and carried her on long walks to see waterfalls and wildflowers (you know, stuff a human would want to see). In our deep grief it brought us comfort to celebrate life with her. She was a reminder that love is bittersweet; always coupled with loss.

And worth the risk. We mourned Freya’s loss but also knew we need (literally NEED) that “nothing like it” dog love in our lives. Last week we welcomed Greta into our home and it has been a non-stop cuddle fuddle, puppy dreaming, ball chasing, furniture nibbling, water bowl spilling celebration of the “fill you up with tears” kind of joy of unconditional love. I can’t wait for the adventures ahead of us.

Weekend recap: 26 miles, 10 dogs, 6 inches of snow, 4 layers of clothes, 2 puppies and 1 very happy (if somewhat cold) Sharon.

(As always, photo credit to the very talented who also organized this very thoughtful adventure.)

So, ok, yes. I moved to Portland, Oregon. And no, I probably didn't tell you I was going but only because it was just too hard to say goodbye.

Thanks to the support of I arrived in the Bay Area in 2005 and accidentally never left. I tried, and I joked about trying; referring to SF as a "black hole" that continuously pulled me back into its orbit. To clarify, the phenomenon that held me in its grip for 15 years was the unapologetic optimism, authenticity and unconditional love I found in the friendships of folks like , , , and, probably, you.

I will always love the Bay Area (and I won't go much further into that because it only turns on the waterworks) but I'm excited for the adventures ahead with as we explore this beautiful new place we've decided to call home.

I know Fall has truly arrived when we make our annual trip to Farmer John's Pumpkin Farm for the BERNESE MOUNTAIN DOG DAY! (Yah, you read that right.) Ultimate cuddle fuddle! Photo credit goes to