I know that having a positive attitude can make all the difference in the world. When a person complements another person, the brain releases dopamine, a feel-good chemical. This is positive reinforcement. Positive reinforcement also works with animals. For Raudi, my focus on the positive was life-changing for both of us. This was not life-changing for Hrimfara and Tyra because they have never known anything different. Well, this is true of Hrimmi. Tyra came from Siver Creek Ranch in Washington State and had Natural Horsemanship training, so she might have been exposed to training methods in which the emphasis was on dominance-related techniques. However, she very quickly adapted to my way of doing things.

Tyra Checking out the goat shed

She came with a rope halter. I once went to put it on her and she gave me a look of disbelief. I got the message. She’s done very well with the use of positive reinforcement. Pete took her for a ride late this afternoon, and I saw him and Tyra and Ryder and Shadow coming in the gate. I yelled at him to put Tyra’s reins over her head, onto her neck, and to then let her go. I called to her, and she raced up the driveway, directly to me. Shadow and Ryder did the same.

I went swimming today, and because the other lanes were full, I took the one in which the bobbers do their exercises. Two of the swimmers were in one lane and did not move aside when I came thrashing down this lane. I had to stop. This was by the cross deck. I sputtered “coming through.” This older one, he was not at all bothered by my rather brash and exceedingly negative remark. Instead, he said he’d move and made a kind remark that I’ve since forgotten.

I immediately warmed up to him. You see, his positive attitude made me realize that I was being pushy and rude. And so, on the return lap, I says to him, “I’m moving so fast that I’m heating up the water.”

People like this fellow are unusual. I am going to strive to be unusual.

If I too am unusual, I will be able to follow through with my vision.

I didn’t really have a vision, that is not until we moved into the former banquet room of the historic Eagle Hotel. Then I began to envision the Eagle Hotel as the future, permanent site of the Bright Lights Book Project.

I have been working on small potatoes contributions. I need to find a benefactor or two, someone who will not flinch when I ask for two million. They will simply say, “sure” and write me out a check. I will, when they do this, not act surprised; rather, I will say thank you.

Key to this may be finishing Shelf Life: A Book about an Overabundance of Books. I can do this. I first have to get the article for this month’s People’s Paper complete.

Tomorrow I’m going to Story Time at the Mat-Su Borough Animal Shelter. If I see a young female border collie or Australian Shepherd puppy, it will be an omen. I’d also settle for a donkey.

Next: 67. 3/8/25: Let’s Go