After stacking the last of the firewood and cleaning house, we all decided on a late-evening adventure to the playground...
The kids brought their ice skates, and did quite a bit of skating, but THIS did not go unnoticed:
...a beautiful symbol of the transitioning of the seasons here in the interior of Alaska - an in- between time when Winter has not quite gone, and Spring has not yet fully arrived, but the Presence of Both is felt and honored.
I recently listened to a show on NPR about dogs, and how caring for a dog has changed over the decades as our society becomes busier and more scheduled, leaving many dogs home for hours and hours with no human interaction. There was discussion of an increase in doggy-depression, prescriptions for doggy-anti-depressants, doggy hotels, and other such things.
The interviewee (unfortunately I forget his name) talked about how in the past, there was someone in the home (typically a Mother or other caretaker) at all times, so the dog had all of the companionship and mental stimulation and physical activity it needed.
However, while people now are leading lives that require them to be away from home much of the time, they still have dogs, who, sad to say, are getting the short end of the stick. Dogs are being treated for things like depression and separation anxiety. New toys are being created to keep the dogs busy for hours so they get the mental stimulation they need while being distracted from chewing up all the furniture while their humans are out.
After listening to the show, I thought about our dogs and how much I love them and am so grateful for their Presence in our lives...and also how Happy I am that we have chosen a path that not only honors ourSELVES and our children for who we are and what we need, but that also honors our canine companions and meets their needs as well...
Blue had so much fun chasing the frisbee, his new favorite thing to chase...
Oops!
As the sun began to set, the kids took off their skates and we all had a big swing-fest:
Here's the view from the swing as M. pushed me:
Moon peeped down at me through these dainty birch branches, and smiled upon us as we played:
Spider-dove propelled herself down the tunnel slide...I only caught a glimpse:
little*bear chose to climb this snow mountain as we prepared to head home for some snacks, stories and sleep...
I love my family.
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