Posts
Monday, August 17, 2026
Dream
There were new neighbors from Africa sleeping in body-contoured beds of mud in garages. I spoke to a policeman about it. As we spoke he pointed out that a rat was biting my leg.
Seeing strangers sleeping in mud: You worry about others or feel disconnected from people going through hardships. A dream about a rat biting your leg often symbolizes a hidden worry, a sense of being undermined in your daily progress, or a fear of betrayal from someone close to you. Because the bite targets your leg—the body part that moves you forward—it often reflects an obstacle or anxiety stalling your path.
Being close-knit is not the same as being enmeshed. A close-knit family cares about each other and stays connected, but everyone still has their own space, opinions, and independence. Family members support one another without trying to control each other’s choices. An enmeshed family, on the other hand, has very blurry boundaries. Love and loyalty may depend on doing what the family expects, and saying no can lead to guilt or conflict. In a close-knit family, closeness feels supportive — in an enmeshed family, it can start to feel suffocating.*
Control disguised as love
When a family member treats traditions as non-negotiable, it often stems from a deep emotional need for security, control, or connection. However, rigid demands can create heavy guilt, stress, and resentment among other relatives who feel their own time, autonomy, or changing lives are being ignored. Why They Do It: Fear of change: They view alterations to a routine as a loss of family unity or a personal rejection of their values. Anxiety and nostalgia: The tradition represents a safer, happier past or a specific identity they are desperate to hold onto. Control disguised as love: They may use guilt or obligation to keep everyone orbiting around them.
Josephine "Jo" Nivison Hopper insisted that her husband, Edward Hopper, not use any other female models for the women in his paintings. After they married in 1924, Jo served as his exclusive model and muse for decades, posing for iconic works even into her late 70s.
Sunday, August 16, 2026
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The Table is Sacred
The table is an altar. The table is sacred. When she placed her homemade glumpki on the table people loved it and said so but Queen Bee had to say, I like more meat in mine. But luckily one brother spoke up and said it's perfect this way. I love it. Then the other sister accused her of eating all the egg salad. Did you eat all this? Luckily three other people said I had some! So she made more. People have no idea about table manners but the true meaning is they are working out a hierarchy at the table.
You’ve got to sell your heart, your strongest reactions, not the little minor things that only touch you lightly, the little experiences that you might tell at dinner. This is especially true when you begin to write, when you have not yet developed the tricks of interesting people on paper, when you have none of the technique which it takes time to learn. When, in short, you have only your emotions to sell.
F. SCOTT FITZGERALD
Two Dreams
I dreamed I was in New York City and I left my shoes at my previous appointment so I was heading back through Times Square to get them.
Dreaming of losing your shoes often symbolizes a deep sense of vulnerability, instability, or feeling unprepared in your waking life. Because shoes protect our feet and carry us forward, losing them frequently points to anxiety about your current life path, a missed opportunity, or a lost sense of direction.
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I dreamed I was walking through Times Square in New York City and someone complimented me on my great legs. "I am a swimmer!" I said and kept walking.
Dreaming of your legs being admired generally symbolizes confidence, self-worth, and how you present yourself to the world. Legs in dreams represent your foundation, your life's journey, and your ability to stand strong. Having them admired points to a desire for validation or pride in your personal progress.
Saturday, August 15, 2026
A 5 pound bag of Russet Potatoes
Boil of russet potatoes in a pot of cold water or (using steamer rack and some water in a pressure cooker) keep their skins on. Then either mash them while they are warm and season or let cool and cube and then season. You can add add mayo, mustard, pickle, scallions or red onions, Italian wine vinegar pepper and salt. Or oil and vinegar and favorite herbs and spices. Simply divine.
Theo Stuart, Dog Behaviourist
My love for dogs started many years ago with a Rottweiler called Merlin and Magic, a German Shepherd. Back then, it was all about harsh dog training and ‘correcting’ the dog in order to force it to ‘obey’. Commands were sergeant major-style orders.
How different things are today. With all my subsequent learning and experience, I have proved beyond possible doubt that kind, positive, and force-free methods not only work best, but they ensure we feel comfortable in our relationship with our dog.
I have two dogs now. A recently adopted ex-racing Greyhound and an elderly blind and deaf Labrador. I can’t imagine a life without dogs.
My Dog Behaviour CV
- As an older person. Experience & Empathy from a whole kaleidoscope of life’s ups and downs.
- As a School Teacher. Motivation, Encouragement – and boundaries.
- As a musician. Repetitive practice until I have something note perfect. Persistence and patience.
- As a mother of five children. Insight into ‘parenting’ puppies and dogs.
- As a businesswoman. I have set up and run three businesses. ‘Theo Stewart – Dog Behaviourist’ is a business involving marketing, insurance, accounts, tax, equipment, transport, internet costs, web site and much more.
- As the holder of meetings. A skill carried over into family dog consultations, in person, or online.
- As owner of an introduction agency (before the days of internet dating). Interviewing people whilst putting them at ease; finding out all about them as I now with dogs.
- As a dog owner. Multiple dogs over 55 years.
- As a founder member of INTODogs and member of UK Behaviour and Training Charter, IMDT, VSPDT, graduate of ISCP (International School for Canine Psychology and Behaviour), PPG, Dog Welfare Alliance. Using positive methods backed by Science. Accountable.
- As a ‘crossover’. I followed outdated dominance methods before educating myself.
Theo Stuart, Dog Behaviourist https://www.dogidog.co.uk/#aboutme
What Kind of Family are You?
All families are bureaucracies. If your family were a country, would you call it a democracy? A Dictatorship? We demand transparency, accountability and good governance from our leaders—but what happens inside our own homes? If the family is the first institution we belong to, are our homes truly democratic? Who makes the decisions? Who controls the money? Who gets heard? And can parents be held accountable when they get it wrong?
Stone Bunny
Last night we walked Lulu and Romeo on Gaskill street and Lulu abruptly stopped and stared at a stone bunny in someone's front yard. "That's a stone bunny!" I said laughing at Lulu. It's not a real bunny! Then a real bunny jumped out of the bushes from behind it. The joke was on us.
Spinach and Red Onion Delight
Last night we were in the grocery store and the wide egg noodles jumped into my cart. I was longing for a soothing meal. When I got home I boiled the noodles and chopped a large red onion and added it to my wok with five cloves of garlic chopped fine and I sauteed it all in olive oil. Then I added a pound of (defrosted) frozen leaf cut spinach and stirred in the pound of freshly boiled noodles. I topped it off with Asiago cheese grated by hand. It was so good I ate it for breakfast. I said to my husband, This is lasagna in another form! A lighter form! I will do this again and add mushrooms.