Okay. So I’m going to do it. I’m going to take the plunge into the frigid waters of social networking and get Raudi’s Facebook page up. I’m not keen on this idea because I’m not at all a fan of Facebook. It seems to me to be yet another way in which individuality is being torn asunder. It also appears to me to be a real hour eater.

But this isn’t going to be my Facebook page. Rather, it will belong to Raudhetta fra Alaskastadir. If advertisers want to attempt to sell her hair gel and pedicures, they can go ahead. All I’m going to do is maintain it for her, and report on her

insights, of which there are many. For instance, today Raudi noted that she’s really enjoying the current enclosure arrangement. She’s quite okay with having Signy as a pen mate, just so long as I make sure her pile has a bit more in than the other one. Why Princess Chub Chubs wants everyone in the whole world to know this is beyond my limited and myopic comprehension.

Raudi (she said) is also wanting to keep her friends (of which there are an infinite number) abreast of our search for the ideal saddle. This request actually seemed to me to indicate that perhaps she’s becoming less self-centered than previously. Raudi is actually thinking (duuh) that our findings might benefit other round backed, wide withered horses and their riders. She’s not pleased and I’m not pleased with the way things are going now.

Icelandic horses are reputed to be extremely stoic. This is not so of Raudi. She wears her heart on her sleeve. If something isn’t right, she lets it be known. Conversely, if something is right, she lets it be known.

ETC. – A cold day here, well below zero. I know this because I could not do things with my mismatched gloves off. But it was sunny – it’s been uncharacteristically windless, so the snow is still clinging to the trees. Snowmachine traffic has also been amazingly minimal. Maybe the ‘bilers aren’t aware that we got a major dumping. Anyhow, I made it a point to be out today, during the daylight hours. I have no regrets. The low lying light and glittering snow was astounding. And later on the distant mountains were pink.

I first took Tinni for a walk. His wound seems to be healing. Then I took Signy for a walk. Then Pete, who’d been out cross-country skiing with Rainbow, joined me, and we took Siggi and Hrimmi for a walk. Hrimmi now accompanies Siggy – the two are stall-mates and buddies. Hrimmi wasn’t all that wild about being Tinni’s companion. He’s sort of like a grumpy old uncle.

A good time was had by all, especially me. Last night Pete and I went to Wasilla and I purchased a pair of winter neoprene books. I am pleased because they kept my feet warm in sub-zero temperatures. And, an added bonus is that they don’t have laces. I have not yet learned to tie my laces. So the less lace in my life the better.

It’s now 4:55 p.m. and dark out. In five days we’ll experience a shift, going from dark to light. In my mind, the winter solstice is the best day of the year.

Next: 370. 12/17/12: The Critics Speak