The Rise And Decline

Barley, a dog, looks back over her shoulder at the camera while standing beside a planter that reads, “The Phoenix Is Rising.”

As much as I appreciate the manner in which walking Barley has made me more attentive to my surroundings, there is certainly also a degree to which I become preoccupied with trying to make fetch happen. I saw this planter and thought, “Oh, good, let me get a picture of this,” despite having no particular feeling about the resurrection of firebirds, and Barley was actively impatient to continue on with her investigations. Now, looking back at the photo, it’s as though she’s giving me “did you really need a picture of that?” exasperated kid energy. It cannot be denied that “The Patience Is Declining” isn’t nearly as upbeat a slogan for your statement garden.