So it got warmer. And then it started to snow. It is early evening and it’s 10˚ F and still snowing. The NOAA weather service said earlier that there was a winter weather advisory in effect. This time they have nailed it.

The outdoor enthusiasts, the snowmobilers, cross country skiers, and bicyclists are glad to see snow. Me, less so. Horseback riding will be difficult if this keeps up. I also abhor snowmobilers. At least we had two months of quietude. Now the relentless whhhhrrrr whhhrrr waah of the smelly machines will be in the air. And they’ll be out tomorrow.

Mary Sackinger sent me some photos of her Icelandic horses. She lives in Fairbanks. The temperature has dropped to -40˚ F. Horses in general don’t fare well in such temperatures. Icelandics do just fine.

The frost on the horses’ faces, and in particular their eyebrows, brought back memories of times when it’s been really cold here. I remember that Tinni, who was older, needed to be blanketed. I am going to ask her if she’s blanketing Birkney, who is now an older gelding.

Cold horses in Fairbanks

All the horses in this state will be very glad to see spring. So will their owners.

Mary also got what she calls a “Walmart parking lot puppy.” This got me thinking – it’s this easy to get a puppy, I mean with little forethought? I would not get a parking lot puppy, not even from Nordstroms. But I would get a puppy. And it would of course have to be a herding dog, preferably a border collie.

Pete’s Shadow and Pete are very bonded. Pete and Tyra are also bonded. This is a wonderful thing, and I am pleased about it. Me, I am bonded with Ryder who is now an elderly dog.

I worked on Shelf Life this morning, for an hour, before heading in to work, at the Former Banquet Room of the Historic Eagle Hotel. It was quite the hour. I decided that the chapter in which I had previously included information about the BLBP board meeting, Pete’s response, and the parade was far too long. So I made the chapter entitled “The Parade” its own chapter.

I like the contrast between the board meeting and the parade, the board meeting being very down in terms of BLBP history, and the parade being very up. And I who am no longer constrained by chapter length, am free to add more detail. All day then, I thought about details that I will be adding to this chapter.

I would work on Shelf Life tonight, but I instead am going to work on the Mat-Su Health Foundation Summer in the Park(s) grant information. Pete had composed a differing Target Wellness grant, and so this is my template. I of course would much rather read the New Yorker article about Willie Nelson going on tour at age 92. And it is tempting to just blow off working on the grant tonight. But no, I will put myself in the zone, or attempt to, and make some headway.

I can hear the snow falling.

Next: 6. 1/6/26: I can hear my ears ringing