Blog Reboot 2025

 

The Barker and the Destroyer

It’s been a hot minute and then some. Crazy how life just takes hold, and before you know it, another year has passed, and you haven’t even posted a blog. Yet on we go.

Life keeps us busy, but the time has come to think about all that writing-adjacent stuff that comes with the writing (blogs, and social media, and promo, oh my!).

Admittedly, that stuff is hard for me. Hard for me to say, ‘Hey, world, look at me’, but here I am giving it a go… 

A fairly pressing question: Do people even blog anymore?

Here's a call to my Gen X reading-non-video people: Get those reading glasses and enlarge the screen. This Blog Reboot is for you (us)!

Books (writing and reading), dogs, yoga, glimmers, smiles, inspiration, haunted mansions, and all things in between, especially anything that raises the vibration. 

To kick off this reboot, I thought I’d share a few favorites of my two greatest muses. BoRegard (Bo) and Oliver (Ollie) Twist. These two knuckleheads are lunatic jerk-faces. The black one is the Barker with his deep yet sharp ear-piercing, blood-curdling barks, startling enough to make you jump out of your seat. The white one is the Destroyer. He looks sweet and innocent, but in thirteen minutes alone, he’ll shred a newspaper. Give him a few hours, and he will devour books and yoga mats, along with a bit of the couch, any dog bed, rugs, boxes, paper, plants, and crystals. Most recently, my favorite annotated writing craft book, which is beyond priceless, so he’s lucky he's cute. 

As much as they drive me nutso facto, they're as sweet and snuggly as the day is long. They would do their best to rip an intruder’s face right off. And they make me laugh. Everyday. Would I trade them for dogs with opposable thumbs who can pitch in and generate revenue? You betcha. Kidding. #lovemydogs

Looking forward to sharing more on this #blogreboot journey of mine. If there’s anything you’d like to see on here, drop me a note in the comments, and I’ll do what I can. Thanks so much for stopping by! 

Until next time, find your creative, embrace you, stay sane(ish)

Best, Aspen Hite

Lessons From My Dog

And now for 'a little something different'... 

Lessons From My Dog

Do you have one of those smug all-knowing dogs? Well, I kinda do. His name is Mulligan. He’s 12 and VERY wise, but he has more of a super chill vibe about him.  

In fact, he is the epitome of fantasticness and quite possibly the SWEETEST soul I’ve ever known. I like to think I’ve gleaned just a smidgen of his wisdom in our time together. Here’s the short list of things I’ve learned (in no particular order). 

1. Water is good for the soul. Get to it. Hang out around it. Find time to frolic and swim. 

2. Adventures start with getting in the truck. Anytime you’re on an adventure, you should stop for ice cream. 

3. Every time you step outside, pause and take a moment to delight in whatever you may find…sunshine, rain, snow, wind, hellish humidity, slicing cold… embrace it all. For a moment. 

4. Growing old is a bitch. Patience and willingness to adapt are essential to continuing to do the things you love. 

5. Always greet others in a friendly manner…a gentle nod, a slight smile, a quick kiss, a little sniff, or nose to the crotch (the last one is all him).

6. Fears (thunderstorms, fireworks, stairs…whatever they may be) are legitimate and real. One may not like them, but one can survive them.

7. Naps are a thing of beauty. Nap often. Nap hard.

8. Make the time to wander, smell the flowers and take the scenic route. The road less traveled is always better. 

9. Find joy whenever and wherever you can.

10. Old dogs can (and do) learn new tricks. All the time. No matter their age.

My Mulligan (aka…SWEETNESS, Sweets, Snuggie Buggies, McHandsomepants, Snugglies) lives life as a precious gift, a present. He amazes me every day. I’m honored to be his Lady. ☺️

And in case, you’ve never noticed god is dog spelled backward. Just sayin’.  😉🤷‍♀️🐾

Advice from Mulligan the Wise: Old Dogs and New Tricks

 

Does Your Dog Write Stories? Mine Does. 
Meet Mulligan, my 10 yr old black lab and one of my greatest muses. (***He's also pure perfection with the sweetest soul of any creature I've ever met, so there's that.💓 )

Well, he's been working on this story, and he's adamant I share it. He worked very hard on in, so please be patient. And remember...he's a dog.
Enjoy his story 😉📝🐕‍

Hello, my name is Mulligan. I'm also known as Muggies, Snuggies, Snug-a-bug, Snugtasticness, Sweet Boy, The Sweet Angel Baby, Big Silky, and in truth, the list goes on...my lady has an imagination and comes up with new stuff all the time. She might be a little crazy, but she's mine, and I love her.

Anyway, I'm the one who doesn't get as much screen time. I imagine you've all heard about Bo? It’s always ‘Bo this’ and ‘Bo that’…UGH! I call him Jerky (well, I have other names, but my lady said they weren't appropriate for a public story). And let me tell you... Jerky's no peach to live with. 🙄

When that guy arrived, my life was turned upside down! I lost my toys in the house for a looooong time because he couldn't play responsibly. He's rough. He's steals my stuff. He jumps on me. He takes my lady's attention. He's a menace. Yes, I know he adores me deep down in his odd socially inept way, but still!

Anyway, the point is not to wallow about Jerky's flaws, it's about sharing what I've learned. With my age has come some wisdom. Yes, he is younger and faster (...I mean seriously, have you seen him move? Sheesh! Like lightning ⚡ ), and he's way more agile, but I'm smarter. Plain and simple.

I want the toy Jerky is chewing on? No problem. I just sidle up to my lady, snuggle and give her a big wet kiss. She turns to goo and it drives Jerky wild. He dismisses everything in front of him and runs to her! This is great for me...I just got my snuggle on and now the Lovesac and the Kong are open...free...and ripe for the picking. Plus once I get to all the glory, my lady will never let him take it from me. Sucker. Too bad he's impulsive and obstinate. But he's learning, too.

In fact, we recently went on a road trip. Not only did my lady put Jerky in his place, but she showed me I'm really the boss. In fact, I've always been the boss...it was inside of me all the time.

So now, I'm here to tell you old dogs can learn new tricks. Totally. Sometimes all on their own. Sometimes with the help of others.

By Mulligan the Wise (aka Boss Man)