I want some solace at this time (canines are effective!), earlier than I soar into motion. Whereas cuddling with Jim this morning, speaking about our day, I spotted I simply didn’t have it in me to put in writing a content-heavy submit proper now. Jim, bless him, understanding I’d talked about earlier I wanted to chop down the 15,787 images on my laptop computer, mentioned “Why don’t you mix the 2 and submit a few of your favourite images, those that make you happiest?”As typical, good recommendation.
So I scrolled by and located what’s, out of all of the artistic-ish images I’ve taken, the one which makes me happiest. It’s from the Japanese gardens in Portland, OR.
Right here’s one other, taken in Port Douglas, Australia in ’03 or ‘o4, of my very personal George Clooney look-alike. (And, simply to be clear, I’m reminded of what certainly one of my buddies mentioned when introducing her new beau to her girlfriends: “That is John. My John.” Simply saying.
Jim is joined by the opposite good-looking man in my life, taken just some days after we received him. Some folks suppose we had been fools to maintain him after we discovered he had a foul coronary heart. I’ve nothing to say to them past what’s apparent on this {photograph}.
And, lest my dearest Maggie, my Maggie Mae, my Princess Margaret, my Sister Magdeline, who turned twelve lately, feels omitted: You’re the most gifted, funniest, and expressive canine I’ve ever had. I like you to the moon, Humorous Lady.
To the flowers, bushes, and grasses of all descriptions that convey me pleasure, and assist to maintain me sane (principally): Thank You.
To all of the superb journeys I’ve taken (thus far!), partially due to the alternatives I’ve needed to journey the world, right here’s to you (Africa and Alaska).
As a result of it isn’t possible to embody even a number of of my favourite pictures of household and lots of, pricey buddies, I’ll embody the one I took of the 2 Wendy’s in my life, my sister and my niece, taken in 2023, not lengthy earlier than my sister, Wendy Barker, died.
As a result of it makes me smile, right here’s a photograph I discovered from . . . 1965? Whereas visiting an aunt in Texas, my sister Liza and I let ourselves, naively, get picked up by two guys who took us scuba diving at a lake exterior of Houston. Fortunate for us, they had been tremendous accountable younger males, who taught us properly, took care of us, and received me up out of the deep once I went into honest-to-god rapture, face-to-face with a monstrous grouper. (I’m not certain I might have gotten again to the floor in good time, it was AMAZING!) It was additionally an excellent reminder of what number of good males there are on the market. And, the circle of life. (Photographs of me in a showering swimsuit 60 years later will not be at present out there.)
MEANWHILE, again on the farm: Can’t write rather more, apologies, my To Do listing this week is ridiculous, however right here’s a “Save the Date” alert for on April 5, in Madison, WI. Dr Wydeven will discuss All Issues Wolf in Wisconsin, my discuss is tentatively titled “Canines Are Wolves, Canines Are Not Wolves.” Each comparatively transient talks might be adopted me doing my greatest (or worst, however I assure amusing) impression of an auctioneer, auctioning off means cool issues (go wolf howling with Adrian, work Skip and Maggie on sheep!), to profit Inexperienced Hearth and our state’s environmental well being.
One final thing. When you’re studying this on February 3-5, and also you’re wherever close to Milwaukee, come be part of me to take heed to Nickolas Butler discuss his latest guide, The Forty Yr Kiss, at 6:30 in Boswell Books, Milwaukee on Wednesday, April fifth. I do know it’s late discover, however if you happen to make it, come and say hello!
I hope your week is an efficient one, or ok, and that, maybe, an previous {photograph} arises above the rapids of life to convey you pleasure.