I want some solace at the moment (canine are positive!), earlier than I bounce into motion. Whereas cuddling with Jim this morning, speaking about our day, I spotted I simply didn’t have it in me to write down a content-heavy put up proper now. Jim, bless him, figuring out I’d talked about earlier I wanted to chop down the 15,787 pictures on my laptop computer, stated “Why don’t you mix the 2 and put up a few of your favourite pictures, those that make you happiest?”As traditional, good recommendation.
So I scrolled by means of and located what’s, out of all of the artistic-ish pictures I’ve taken, the one which makes me happiest. It’s from the Japanese gardens in Portland, OR.
Right here’s one other, taken in Port Douglas, Australia in ’03 or ‘o4, of my very personal George Clooney look-alike. (And, simply to be clear, I’m reminded of what one among my buddies stated when introducing her new beau to her girlfriends: “That is John. My John.” Simply saying.
Jim is joined by the opposite good-looking man in my life, taken just some days after we obtained him. Some individuals assume we have been fools to maintain him after we discovered he had a foul coronary heart. I’ve nothing to say to them past what’s apparent on this {photograph}.
And, lest my dearest Maggie, my Maggie Mae, my Princess Margaret, my Sister Magdeline, who turned twelve just lately, feels not noted: You’re the most proficient, funniest, and expressive canine I’ve ever had. I really like you to the moon, Humorous Lady.
To the flowers, timber, and grasses of all descriptions that carry me pleasure, and assist to maintain me sane (principally): Thank You.
To all of the superb journeys I’ve taken (up to now!), partly due to the alternatives I’ve needed to journey the world, right here’s to you (Africa and Alaska).
As a result of it’s not possible to embrace even a couple of of my favourite images of household and plenty of, expensive buddies, I’ll embrace the one I took of the 2 Wendy’s in my life, my sister and my niece, taken in 2023, not lengthy earlier than my sister, Wendy Barker, died.
As a result of it makes me smile, right here’s a photograph I discovered from . . . 1965? Whereas visiting an aunt in Texas, my sister Liza and I let ourselves, naively, get picked up by two guys who took us scuba diving at a lake exterior of Houston. Fortunate for us, they have been tremendous accountable younger males, who taught us properly, took care of us, and obtained me up out of the deep after I went into honest-to-god rapture, face-to-face with a monstrous grouper. (I’m not positive I’d have gotten again to the floor in good time, it was AMAZING!) It was additionally an excellent reminder of what number of good males there are on the market. And, the circle of life. (Pictures of me in a showering swimsuit 60 years later usually are not presently obtainable.)
MEANWHILE, again on the farm: Can’t write far more, apologies, my To Do listing this week is ridiculous, however right here’s a “Save the Date” alert for on April 5, in Madison, WI. Dr Wydeven will speak about All Issues Wolf in Wisconsin, my discuss is tentatively titled “Canine Are Wolves, Canine Are Not Wolves.” Each comparatively transient talks can be adopted me doing my greatest (or worst, however I assure amusing) impression of an auctioneer, auctioning off manner cool issues (go wolf howling with Adrian, work Skip and Maggie on sheep!), to learn Inexperienced Fireplace and our state’s environmental well being.
One last item. In the event you’re studying this on February 3-5, and also you’re anyplace close to Milwaukee, come be part of me to hearken to Nickolas Butler speak about his latest ebook, The Forty 12 months Kiss, at 6:30 in Boswell Books, Milwaukee on Wednesday, April fifth. I do know it’s late discover, however for those who make it, come and say hello!
I hope your week is an efficient one, or adequate, and that, maybe, an outdated {photograph} arises above the rapids of life to carry you pleasure.
