We come into this world with our own individual word quota. For some it’s 10 words, and others 10,000 words. When you have used up your allotted quota, then you die. No one knows what their word quota is. And most do not know that they have a word quota. Me, I know. This has not kept me from keeping my mouth shut, because being heard often supersedes any concerns I might have about an untimely death.

Is there such a thing as a timely death? And why is it that we are the only species that knows we are going to die? We also have no idea if there is or isn’t a hereafter, and if there is, what it is like.

These days a lot of people are telling me that they are praying for me and for the book project – they want it to succeed. I’m really glad that these people are doing this – it can’t hurt. I feel like sometimes I’m being coerced into believing what they believe.

We all push our values on others. I am an environmentalist. The other day when we were out riding, we came along some brush by the trail and then realized that someone on a four wheeler (I think it was the Rafter T people) came and cut it down for firewood. My values are such that I see this as being an abhorrent thing to do. Those birch trees, in the area that I call the Forest Primeval, should be left alone.

Trees are taking a beating. The U.S. Government is now encouraging climate change by relaxing all governmental regulations. I know of some Alaskans who wanted this to happen. Pretty soon, the world is going to need hospice care, but of course, it will be too late to do anything because death will be a given.

It’s tired, and I’m late. Late for bed. I am always glad to go to bed and reluctant to get up. Once I’m up and outside and glimpse my horses, I’m okay. But getting up, that is a challenge, particularly in the winter.

Spring is around the corner. I’d say this gives me hope but I do not believe in hope. Today at 4:30 p.m. I left the former banquet room of the historic Eagle Hotel, and I came home and fed all the animals. It was daylight. An hour later, after eating my dinner, I got in the car and went back to town. I worked until 9:00 p.m.

A lot of books came in, about 20 boxes alone of children’s books. We now again have a healthy inventory. But a healthy inventory must be tended to, just like livestock must be tended to. And this takes time.

Now volunteers can come in, and they can clean books to their heart’s content. Tomorrow, Cathy, the artist in residence, is also going to continue work on our art gallery hanging display, a large corkboard that we have painted white.

There was more going on, but this is enough for today.

Next: 43. 11/12/26: Thankful