I'm still here!

Gosh this month has gone by in a blur. I came down with this weird cold/flu/ virus bug right after Christmas and have just been running on three of four cylinders--or maybe five of eight at best--most of the time since then. I'm really not "sick" anymore but still cough some and sniffle and snuffle and am just constantly tired. A little bit of activity and I feel like I have run behind my dog sled all day!

The weather has been uneven--nice and mild and bright for a few days and then chilly, gray and damp for a few. I don't think that is helping. Today it was in the upper 60s here with lots of sun and light breeze only. The official high was 66 but I suspect it was a tad warmer here. And tomorrow is to be a clone of today. Then clouds Thursday and maybe rain by evening.

I know; I have not got a flipping thing to whine about when I look at the rest of the country with the freezing rain, heaps of snow, bitter cold and ice everywhere. And I don't whine--much. Then, in Fairbanks, AK today it was -30 in the middle of the afternoon--which is about sundown at the present time, but still should be about the warmest part of the day. That is close to 100 degrees below nice, LOL, but the dogs don't mind and folks dress and prepare for that up there. You learn how to live with it.

The Yukon Quest, the 'other' 1000 mile race, begins in just a bit over a week on February 7. This year, odd numbered, it goes from White Horse, Yukon (Canada) to Fairbanks. Lots of preparation underway at this point and I'd somehow cope with the cold if I could be there. Maybe next year. For now I just have to live it all vicariously.

I'm still here, anyway, puttering around with some sewing and craft projects and going through a huge pile of fabric and notions and craft stuff that my gentleman friend's late wife left behind. It has been three years since she passed away and he is ready to color it gone. I do not feel odd about inheriting it and am sharing with my brother's lady friend and putting some on Free Cycle, too. That is semi-brain dead kind of work I seem to be capable of right now! Also have three lap robe sized quilt faces done and am about ready to tackle the other sides. They are all kind of Celtic themes and in time I will post pictures!

But many word-type projects are perking along in the back of my mind and I will get to them when the time is right. One day I will wake up with the urge and the words will just pour out as if I am taking dictation. Sometimes I think I am although I have no idea where the stuff comes from!

In closing, just for laughs, here are a few photos of me as a tough little tomboy a very long time ago. She is still in there somewhere and peeks out from behind my eyes every now and then. You've seen the saying: inside every old person is a young person screaming, "What the heck happened?"  Not that I am old yet...

Happy 2015

Well, I hope so anyway!

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?