I can’t remember a time my dreams didn’t include animals in one way or another. Starting Empowering Animals, bringing people and animals together, that is part of that dream. I have a vision. I just don’t know yet how all of it will unfold. What I do know is that something in me feels unfinished without it. Like there’s a piece of my soul that only makes sense when I’m doing this. The magazine cover was a fun AI prompt. But it also felt like a glimpse of a dream that could be. Dreams aren’t meant to show us the whole path. They just keep pointing us in a direction so we don’t forget who we are.

Yesterday I had my first real life meetup with another Skool community. I drove up to Vancouver, BC and met up with six incredible women. We spent the morning walking along the seawall near Granville Island, talking, laughing, and just enjoying being outside together. Along the way, I found myself completely pulled into the world around me. I am like the cliche "squirrel" when I see an animal. This wonder experience started on the drive up when I saw two crows in the city. One had just picked up a long, skinny twig, the kind that looks like it was made for nest building. It felt a little late in the season for that, but this is the Pacific Northwest, and things don’t always follow the rules. Later, walking along the water, I noticed a crow carrying something black and shiny. I couldn’t quite make it out at first. I kept thinking it was a rock. I did attempt to get closer to find out, but you can imagine how well that went for me. Then I saw another crow down on the rocky shoreline with the same thing, and this time I could see it clearly. It was a mussel. I stopped without even thinking about it, letting the group walk ahead. The mussel was sealed tight, and the crow was working it against the rocks, scraping and tapping, trying to find a way in. Then the crow wedged the shell into a crack between the rocks, hinge side up, and started working its beak into that tiny opening. I watched in awe as they worked their beak into the opening. Over and over, they pressed in, opening their beak like a pair of pliers before pulling back, adjusting, and trying again. Finally, they got just enough leverage that the shell started to break apart and the crow could get to the mussel inside. I didn’t take a video or a picture. I just stood there watching, completely caught up in how brilliant this bird was using their beak like a tool. Ingenious. And that alone would have been enough to keep my heart happy for the rest of the day but I then saw another crow tugging at what looked like stuffing from a cushion. I don’t know how something like that randomly ended up on the rocks, but there it was. The bird kept pulling and gathering the little kismet gift until it had a soft bundle it could carry off. Again, perfect nesting material.

I’m choosing a graphic for our About page, where new members will land and get a feel for what we’re about. Which one immediately helps you understand this space and draws you in? If you feel called to share why, I’d truly value your input. Thank you for being a part of Empowering Animals. Your heart matters here.

Today I want to start the week by saying how much I appreciate all of you. For believing in me. For supporting me. For teaching me. For your patience, your ideas. And dare I say, for loving me. For all of that, I just want to say thank you. Wishing you a beautiful Monday as meaningful as what you’ve given here. Thank you 🤍

I got a lot of feedback on my t-shirt test, one being my Skool logo. 50% of people had zip idea what my logo was. I got snail antennas, Kraken, sea creature, snakes, etc. Most did see the heart though, so that was a plus. So, instead of reverting back to my childhood nightmare of my drawing disability and tossing it out, I attempted to make it 10% better. 😂👏 I need your honest opinion. I’m not looking for atta boys, I’m looking for feedback that will improve visibility for our community. Lay it on me. 🤣 1st photo before. Second photo after.