Who could say no to that face? ©voyager, all rights reserved
I awoke to the sound of ice pellets hitting my window this morning, telling me at once that it was colder than yesterday and still raining. I could feel the dampness in the house as I creaked and groaned my way out of bed and went to start the coffee, so next, I turned on the gas fireplace, hoping to dry the air out a bit and add a touch of cheer to the dull and dreary day. I opened the front door to bring in the newspaper and was met with a cold wind blowing freezing drizzle in my face. Thankfully, it didn’t seem to be sticking to things or turning to ice on the ground, and a quick check-in with the weather channel told me it was above zero, by 1°c. Hey, I thought they said yesterday that it was going to get warmer over the next few days. 1°c is not warmer, and freezing drizzle, even if it doesn’t stick, is not better than rain. Just then, Jack crawled out of bed and came to ask for his breakfast. As I was getting it ready for him, I casually said that if he didn’t want to go for a walk today, that would be alright. Jack said he’d think about it and he did until 10:30 when he decided he wanted to go out. He could see his gaggle of teenagers up at the corner talking, and he was eager to go say hi. I wasn’t quite as eager to go out, but Jack gave me the face, and I knew he meant business, so I layered up and out we went into the nasty, wet day. I don’t think Jack even noticed the weather, he was so anxious to go see his kids. About half-way up the block, he got his reward, when one of his favourite young women called out his name and started walking toward him. Jack wiggled and wagged his way up to her and they greeted each other like long-lost friends. Soon, Jack was surrounded by a half-dozen more young people, all saying his name and stroking him. Jack handed out kisses like they were Hallowe’en candy, and by the time we said goodbye to continue on our way, Jack was positively glowing with happiness, and the day didn’t seem nearly so nasty or dreary to me. Thanks, Bubba. I love the way you live in the moment.
It is the season of not very nice weather indeed. We have frost, but no snow. On Friday it sank from 5 °C to zero and it was windy, but at least no rain.
For my part, I’d wish for some snow, to make the days less dark. I’ve been on my own schedule from Wednesday (some lectures, yes, but otherwise, nothing fixed) and I’ve been able to go to sauna and swimming twice and I made it for the deadline today. If I can get the assignment that’s got the DL on Sunday 11:55 pm done early enough, I can also go to sauna on Sunday. I think that’s going to make the beginning of next week more productive as I need to get as much done as possible before starting my Master’s thesis project, which I got hired to do, starting on December.
I wonder if Jack’s social side will grow back his undercoat. I’m hoping it doesn’t get slippery there.
Aww, Fuzzy Boy!
Its amazing to me what dog feet can put up with. My boys used to walk barefoot in mountain streams that were barely above freezing, no problem. I’d be curled up in pain in 60 seconds.
Ice Swimmer,
Congratulations on getting hired to do your master’s thesis. I’m sure the next few weeks will be busy for you, so I hope you make it to the sauna and swim on Sunday.
So far, the ice and snow are staying gone. Jack still isn’t growing his undercoat, and it has me a bit worried. If it gets much colder, I might put a coat on him, but I’m concerned that if I do so, he won’t grow his undercoat at all. It’s hard to know what the right thing to do is.
Thank you, voyager!
I guess the start and the end of thesis work will be the most hectic. I didn’t make it to sauna, the assignment took too long and not because it was too hard, but dealing with the (industrial automation) development environment took so much time.
Ice Swimmer
Congratulations on getting hired to do your master’s thesis, good work! Can you tell us what your thesis will be covering?
Voyager I don’t know whether putting a coat on Jack will stop his undercoat growing, but if a coat means he enjoys walks and he wouldn’t without I think I’d go with the coat regardless. After all how much difference is that time outside coatless going to make when he spends most of his time inside in the warm with you?