Welcome to my World

Welcome to the domain different--to paraphrase from New Mexico's capital city of Santa Fe which bills itself "The City Different." Perhaps this space is not completely unique but my world shapes what I write as well as many other facets of my life. The four Ds figure prominently but there are many other things as well. Here you will learn what makes me tick, what thrills and inspires me, experiences that impact my life and many other antidotes, vignettes and journal notes that set the paradigm for Dierdre O'Dare and her alter ego Gwynn Morgan and the fiction and poetry they write. I sell nothing here--just share with friends and others who may wander in. There will be pictures, poems, observations, rants on occasion and sometimes even jokes. Welcome to our world!

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Let sleeping dogs lie

I know about a dozen huskies--well, actually a number more than that--who are probably enjoying some well deserved rest tonight. That includes the eleven who finished the Yukon Quest on Allen Moore's Black Team in the wee hours of the morning today but I'm thinking more about my own canines now.

Like small children, there is something so sweet and precious about a sleeping dog. Even puppies who are never still a minute otherwise relax and look so angelic. My two red dogs often sleep close together on my bed, even when I am not there with them. They also have a special bond or synchronicity.

Rojito is a very sensitive little guy. He formed a special bond with Belle that
summer before we lost her when he was new here. He often laid down near her and followed her around outside. I think he understood whether by scent or just some innate awareness that she was old and ill and wanted to comfort and offer sympathy. He has those very dark and intense dachshund eyes, large in his delicate face. He can look at you very keenly at times but always with a tiny frown or bit of concern. That's different from Ginger.

Ginger like most of the Border Collie breed has that giving the eye or staring down trick they use on sheep and cattle to bring them into line. Many dogs will not get in your face and stare right at you; it is generally a threatening or challenging gesture to them. She will; you definitely have to be in charge with the BCs! She knows she cannot get me into or out of any herd LOL.

Still, there is a connection between them for all they are vastly different. Yes, they are both "my" dogs, "the red dogs", but it goes beyond that. Some people have mistakenly thought he was her puppy when we are out walking but that is impossible. Not only are they totally different breeds but she is about four now and he is at least eight! They really do not look alike except for the color. Right now he is almost more blond, faded by the sun on the outer layers of his coat.

Yet too many times to be chance, I have found them both on the bed with their four legs in exactly the same pose or a mirror reverse of each other. Not always of course, but often enough that it was not just a fluke! I even took pictures a time or two without waking them. BTW the tan is a dust cover sheet I use to protect my good quilts! They do get grassy and dusty outdoors.

So when they are napping after dinner and I am on the computer like now, I let my sleeping dogs lie and cherish the sweet peace about them, the contentment they are clearly feeling. They are safe, secure and at home, trusting that no one will harm or bother them here. In their time, they watch over me, too. One or both usually curl close against my back at night so that subconsciously I know I am not alone. After many years with a partner, being alone in bed is an empty feeling. No, I am not talking about sex here or even love, really but just the sense of another living soul nearby, the warmth and companionship. It's a precious thing that my sleeping dogs give me... I wish all who love canines much the same gentle pleasure.


Tuesday, February 10, 2015

Too soon for spring

We've had some awesome weather for several days (78 yesterday and 77 today by my thermometer!). They predict a short chill for the next two days and then more of the same. I am afraid the trees will come out too soon--I actually saw a peach tree in a sheltered area in full bloom today!--and we'll get a frost in a few weeks that will wipe out the fruit and maybe put the other trees back into a short winter with blackened leaves. On our walks I am seeing a lot of mustard weeds and the familiar green 'doilies' of fillaree, but they usually appear early and are native plants that can handle a moderate frost and not die back. So we'll see...

Anyway, I 'wasted' the last couple of days getting my jewelry shop tidied up. I first dealt with the big batch of sewing stuff, fabric and trim that I acquired from the stash my gentleman friend's late wife had left when she passed three years ago. It was a bit of a mess, stored in an old mobile, pretty dusty and a few mouse nests. I washed almost all of it, some fifteen loads or so in my washing machine! There was also some beads and other odds and ends and a lot of little storage cabinets with drawers--I'd dumped the non-sewing part in the garage/workshop to deal with later. Later just came. A corner of that facility is mine for my beads, rocks and such. It's almost back in working order after two busy days. Maybe I should have been writing but...just not in the mood!

We are to have a couple of chillier days now so maybe I can finish some indoor chores like rearranging my room, "the Red Dog room", which is about a third done. I moved the computer and its peripheral stuff first. There are limited options as the space (roughly 10 x 13 feet) is packed very full and I have to leave room for Ginger and Rojito to move around and get on the bed. So we'll see. I also have three quilt faces done and am working on the back sides. All my quilts can be used with either face out; its just a quirk of mine. There will be photos in time!

And, last but not least, the Yukon Quest started on Saturday. While not as well known as the Iditarod, it's one big and tough race. Several experienced mushers have scratched before the half-way mark as it has been bitter cold--until today I do not think the temperature got above about -20 and the ice is brutal. Anyway I am following that on the race website and the site of my favorite mushers, Aliy Zirkle and her hubby, Allen Moore. I met them in August and several of their great dogs so have a very personal connection now for the "Red Team" (Aliy's) and the "Black Team" (Allen's.) Aliy ran the YQ300 (the main race is 1000 miles) and placed second behind another fine lady musher, Michelle Phillips, who lives in Yukon Territory. Michelle will be featured in my future book too! So I am busy.

I got some good news today that the new drops prescribed by my eye doctor are starting to work and maybe my extremely dry eyes that have bothered me seriously for about five years now, will be much improved.  In just three weeks there is some improvement and since they work to restart idle tear ducts, it takes some time. I'll go back in ninety days for another follow-up.

Pictures next time, I promise. Not sure of what but pictures I'm kind of like Alice in Wonderland in the theory that books with no pictures are not very inspiring!!