I am keeping a very close eye (I just use one eye at a time to see) on the landscape, mainly on the trees. The trees are budding, and in just a few days the leaves will make an appearance. We call the early growth the “green haze.”

Indeed, it does feel like spring – it’s easier to get around. I no longer have to make pathways to the horse enclosure, nor do I have to be cautious on the driveway ice. I am, in essence, moving more freely.

So today I worked for an hour on Shelf Life in my writing cabin. It was a little chilly because I didn’t start the woodstove, but it was, as it always has been, a quiet and peaceful place.

I worked on what I’m now calling Part 1 – this, the initial setting, is the VCRS Recycling Center. I had, when writing, several breakthrough moments. I found a place where I could elaborate on the incident in which the mouse, which was caught in a sticky trap, clamped onto my finger. I also found a place in which I can provide a description of a Gaylord. This term, used to describe tall cardboard boxes, is literary fodder.

I do, I decided, need to talk some about hoarding. Pete has never said that I fit the definition, but I suspect I do. My sister was telling me about a hoarder she knows – he puts his stuff in free postal service boxes.

I also cleaned the cabin up a bit. I found three boxes of upper elementary books – I have no idea how they got there. I will distribute them tomorrow when I’m doing my route. I also parted company with some books – my intention is to of course read all the books in this house, but this is an impossibility. So off a handful go. I could easily bring home two handfuls tomorrow.

And I cleaned the house some. This is not worth further comment.

I stayed home today – some think that when I do this, that I’m taking a day off. This is not so. Today, after writing, I answered emails, some involving upcoming events, and tonight, Pete and I worked on getting fundraising letters ready to go out in the mail.

In part, I stayed home because UPS was scheduled to drop off our two new saddles. They arrived after before Pete got home. It was drizzling so we did not get to try them out. Hrimfara’s new saddle fits me and Tyra’s new saddle fits Pete. This will be good for Hrimmi because I have a hard time riding/working with her in Pete’s saddle, which is too large for me. I suspect that Hrimmi and I will do a whole lot better with a saddle that fits us both.

Every time I work at home, without fail, the work piles up at the hotel. I thought I was pretty much ready for the upcoming Science of Reading Symposium and then realized that I have not yet put together packets to give to educators. I would have done this today. Would have. Not words that should be in my vocabulary.

Next: 118. 4/29/25: Balancing on one Foot