Solace in Photos – McConnell Publishing Inc.

I want some solace right this moment (canines are high quality!), earlier than I leap into motion. Whereas cuddling with Jim this morning, speaking about our day, I noticed I simply didn’t have it in me to write down a content-heavy put up proper now. Jim, bless him, realizing I’d talked about earlier I wanted to chop down the 15,787 pictures on my laptop computer, mentioned “Why don’t you mix the 2 and put up a few of your favourite pictures, those that make you happiest?”As traditional, good recommendation.

So I scrolled by and located what’s, out of all of the artistic-ish pictures 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 mates 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 obtained him. Some folks assume 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 not too long ago, feels ignored: 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 carry me pleasure, and assist to maintain me sane (principally): Thank You.

To all of the wonderful 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’s not possible to incorporate even just a few of my favourite pictures of household and plenty of, pricey mates, I’ll embrace 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 obtained 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’d have gotten again to the floor in good time, it was AMAZING!) It was additionally reminder of what number of good males there are on the market. And, the circle of life. (Pictures of me in a showering swimsuit 60 years later will not be presently out there.)

MEANWHILE, again on the farm: Can’t write way 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 speak about All Issues Wolf in Wisconsin, my speak is tentatively titled “Canines Are Wolves, Canines Are Not Wolves.” Each comparatively temporary talks will probably be adopted me doing my finest (or worst, however I assure amusing) impression of an auctioneer, auctioning off manner cool issues (go wolf howling with Adrian, work Skip and Maggie on sheep!), to profit Inexperienced Fireplace and our state’s environmental well being.

One last item. Should you’re studying this on February 3-5, and also you’re anyplace close to Milwaukee, come be a part of me to hearken to Nickolas Butler speak about his latest e book, The Forty Yr Kiss, at 6:30 in Boswell Books, Milwaukee on Wednesday, April fifth. I do know it’s late discover, however should you make it, come and say hello!