Whoa, and yes it is now dark out well before 10:00 p.m. It rained; it was a hard cold rain this morning. Then when it cleared, there was termination dust on the distant peaks. The sun came out at about 2:00 p.m., and the mountains at the distance stood out in sharp relief against the robin’s egg blue sky.

Now, I told everyone who indirectly indicated that winter was upon us that usually the first mountain snowfall melts and that the second one comes in mid-October. We’ll see. Now with climate change, it’s a crapshoot.

Well another fair day over with. Cheryl, who has donated many books to the BLBP, gave me an assist at both the hotel and the fairgrounds, very carefully putting together packets for those interested in the project. She saved me a lot of time, for which I was grateful.

Colton and Sheryl load the reptile box

I now really am feeling weary and wanting the fair to be over. Good thing, two days off, sort of, Tuesday and Wednesday then five more days of distributing books, and a day of clean up. Cheryl will give me a hand on the last two days.

A tough day for me, and not just because of the book project. There was a breed show at the equestrian center, and a costume show. I watched both. Terry Mielke was in the breed show as was Misty Circle.

I was on the outskirts of all things horsey again today. I dealt with it by retreating back into the equestrian center and hanging out with my book friends. Right now this is where it’s at.

It is interesting that from what I saw these last few days is that there are a handful of Icelandic horses in the area. However, there are not any gaited classes or clinics, events at the fair that would allow these horses to do what they were bred to do.

One solution is going to be for me to make the time to ride. But with snow on the mountain, this time is going to be limited. After I finish writing this, I am going to look at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game Regulations and see when hunting season ends. Because of the rain the trails have become muddy. The vehicular use contributes to their degradation.

Another solution to my perceived lack of balance is for me to move. And so, the book project must either fold or be taken on by others who have a high degree of commitment.

I now have a messed up ankle, and I am wondering how I am going to get the distribution done tomorrow. I don’t feel tonight like I’ll have the energy to do this tomorrow. But tomorrow will be another day.

Next: 234. 9/1/26: My Favorite Month