It was as though spring did a double-take and said “no, I’m not sticking around. I’m going to let winter stay at the forefront for a while.” I am not sure how long “a while” might be, but I will welcome spring back with open arms should she decide to return.

Woke to overcast skies and mid-40˚ F degree temperatures. Resumed putting on additional layers. On the drive to the eye doctor’s, it began raining. It was just a light rain, but nevertheless, rain. A good thing if, say, this is a sign of things to come. We need rain in order to keep the fire danger low. I do not relish the

Tyra kicks the ball while doing the agility course

thought of having to load four ponies, two goats, two dogs, and five chickens into truck and trailer, and taking them hither and yon. That’s the worst-case scenario. If, say, the problem is that smoke is rolling in, then all the animals with the exception of Tinni and Raudi would stay here. We will take them to the Nelchina Campground, and I will hang out with them for the duration. I will teach both to play poker, and perhaps also chess. Tyra will be jealous since she’s been wanting me to teach her chess for some time.

Eye doctor appointment was the same old same old. I talked with one of the staff – it is likely that they will take on books for distribution. Wolf eyewear – I’d like to see them get Alaskana books. There are also several wolf-related books.

After, Pete dropped me off in town. I checked all the distribution sites, this including the new one at the Sunset Grill. Books are moving slowly. I have this theory that people aren’t taking what’s there because they are filling up with books that people are dropping off, and these books aren’t of that much interest.

So I am going to put out a box for donations – this way I’ll get a better sense of what’s coming in.

I spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon at the Meeting House, going through boxes of books that I picked up last week. These books, from a private collection, are in pristine condition. The Alaskana books, the railroad books, the Arizona books, the dog books, all beg the question, should these books all be for free? This question led me to free-associate, I again began to envision having a small shop in which I take books in and distribute them, and also have books on sale. This shop would have windows, hardwood floors, plants, and of course, shelving. Again, the analogy to Field of Dreams – build it and they will come.

Once on the home front, Pete made videos of me for the agility competition. I then got all the horses out. I took Tinni, Raudi, and Tyra for walks around the loop. And I rode Hrimmi quite a ways. All this, in the rain. Rain or no rain, sometimes ya just gotta keep going.

Next: April 30, 2021: A Conversation with Raudhetta fra Alaskastadir