I am first and foremost glad the holiday season is behind us for another year. The main highlight was some nice notes and cards from beloved folks I seldom or never get to see anymore. Anymore I just do not enjoy the festivities lately. I think for a long time I told myself I "should" and did my best to put up a good facade and finally that is just too darn much work! When you are older and no kids to do for and such it is just a disruption in the peaceful daily routine that feels like a bad detour instead of a fun time. So call me Scrooge if you want to.
It does not help to catch a version of the Alamo-land bug swarm--a kind of smush-up of virus/cold/flu with all the icky miserable symptoms that such things usually have. The fact the weather is bouncing all over does not help. One day it is sixty-plus and you can sit out soaking up sunshine and the next it is maybe forty-five and not a spot of sunshine to be seen plus a sharp NW wind that makes the wind chill feel about frosty. Yes, I know it is not nice to whine and by Alaska and Yukon standards this is balmy but when you feel lousy and expect the sunny south-land to be just that...! Enough already--whine over.
We're looking ahead into the new year and trying to make some plans. Right now it does not look feasible for me to get up to Alaska for the big races this time. I am disappointed but knew all along it was a long shot. Maybe next time. I still do plan to get up in the fall for the start of the training season and meanwhile will follow the progress and accomplishments of several favorite mushers. Right now it is iffy weather in Alaska too with bitter cold around Fairbanks and some snow but very little farther south. Many are still training with ATVs as there is nothing to run a sled on unless they trek up around Denali.
So I am slowly doing my start-of-the-year sort, organize and get rid of binge. Somehow that seems to help me get the ole brain in gear and begin to lay out various goals and projects. I have several fiction efforts in the preliminary stages, some new sewing and craft work, and further effort to seek some funding aid for the Alaska visits. Many grants and such are worked on a calendar year basis so an early entry stands the best chance. It is a long shot for my project but I have to try. Meanwhile a few holiday donations direct to me have built up the savings account a bit beyond what my Go Fund Me page reflects. Thank all for that!
Also keeping a toe in the door on many dog issues. I see a lot of stuff on line; 'they' seem to get your interests down pretty fast! I have two dear friends who lost canine companions not too long ago and my heart went out to them. One has already got a new boy in her home--I am so happy for both Julie and Rocco! He is another blind older Blue Heeler and the Powers-That-Be in charge of such knew they could rescue each other and made it happen. My other friend is not ready yet but I think the year will bring a new special little buddy to her as well. Julie feels her canine angels work the Man Upstairs to get the right one to her so I pray this will work for SE too--her little guy will know when and where and nose those gates to move as they should! Doggie Deity, do your thing!
When I had to let Belle go in October 2012 I thought it would be longer but within less than two months Ginger crossed my path. I've had her for two years now and cannot visualize life without her. She is aggravating at times and has all the Border Collie traits of fierce intelligence, persistence, insistence and high energy but she gets me up every day and keeps me on my toes. If I need anything, that's it! Right now she is asleep behind me, saving energy for whatever barkable truck may soon come by or other matter that needs her attention. She sleeps on my bed, close when it is chilly and she and Wee Rojito jockey for the best post--right up against Mom, often as close to the pillows as I will allow!
Here they are, when they have the bed to themselves before I crawl in! Note how their legs are positioned nearly identically! They have this sync between them, as different as they are. Isn't that precious?
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