One year follows another, and we acknowledge this every 365 days. This is so that we can wipe the slate clean and begin things anew. Me, I consider several resolutions ahead of time. I abandon those resolution that aren’t very specific, like be more truthful, less anxious or open to the ideas of others because I know I won’t adhere to them.

I will adhere to resolutions such as work to get in better shape, eat better, or drink more water during the day. I’ll stick to them for seven days or so, which is better than not sticking to them at all.

2024 is going to be a pivotal year in terms of national and international politics.

Another good reason for remaining in Alaska – Canada provides a buffer of sorts – so we aren’t as affected by, say, privacy issues or intervention as they are in the Lower 48.

2024 is also going to be a pivotal year for the Bright Lights Book Project.

Today Pete and I met with Russ, who owns the property behind the Meeting House. I’d previously corresponded with him about our purchasing the property, which has a long building that has served as a garage.

He stopped communicating with us – he had other things going on. Out of the blue I got an email from him in which he said that he’s going to put the property up for sale and was wondering if we’d still be interested in purchasing it.

I first thought no. And Pete first thought no. But we got to thinking about it some, and after meeting Russ, have had a change of heart. Both of us agree that there would be less to contend with, should we purchase the land. We are set where we are – it’s a good space to be working out of. But we could stay put while constructing a more permanent home.

Russ agreed and said that we have until sometime this summer to make a decision as regards our plans. This seemed to me to be reasonable – I was expecting him to say that he’d give us two weeks.

I obviously believe in signs – for example yesterday I wrote about the really fast snowmobilers passing us on the road – and that thought occurred to me that we should consider moving. Today, at the hotel, an incident with as much portent occurred.

Pete and I both went to talk to a woman who was on the far side of the door at the historic Eagle Hotel. She seemed to me to be a bit out of it. I went to get her a bookmark and Pete continued talking to her. I left the pair – moments later Pete said that as he was conversing with her, she pulled a bottle of Cuervo out of her backpack and took a swig.

Hearing this, I thought, oh oh. This sort of thing might happen regularly, if we were to stay at the hotel. I don’t want to be a social worker, which is why I think that we need to weigh our options very carefully.

Yep, this very well could be a pivotal year for the Bright Lights Book Project.

Next: 356. 12/28/23: Taking advantage of a book project related lull