Winter is a Thing

For several years I ran regularly.  It was wonderful exercise and kept me able to fit into the same size of clothes without spending too much time counting calories.  Last year I lost my running mojo and then had a fall that messed up my hips.  Messed up hips make running very painful.  My physiotherapist said no more running until I have enough core strength to hold the Plank for 90 seconds.  A major hurdle for me.  Since then I have been struggling to find another way to get exercise in for both the mutt and I.

In the summer we started bikejoring.  This sport involves a bike, a person, and a dog (obviously).  Think dogsledding, but there is a bike behind the dog rather than a sled.  We stayed on roads as my off-road bike skills are not strong.  We both loved it.

Until it snowed and the bike got put away for six months.  Probably seven this winter.  Winter is a thing here.  A major, more-than-half-the-year thing.

Yesterday Astrid and I participated in a Skijor/Kicksled Workshop together.  We have been trying to transfer our bikjor skills to using a kicksled (much closer to dogsledding) for the winter season.  However, since I am too heavy for her to safely pull alone (a dog shouldn't be pulling more than 1.5 times their own weight) and she doesn't get the idea of line out (keeping the line tight out front of the sled) yet we are having limited success.  When the workshop popped up on Facebook I thought it would be fun and maybe even educational.

We had a great time and met other dogs who mush with their people.  I came home inspired to perservere.  Astrid got to run in tandem with an experienced dog.  The two of them had plenty of strength to pull me fast!

We came home and persuaded the Boy to join us (with almost no trouble as this kind of activity is totally his kind of thing).  Today we went again.  They are both getting the hang of it rather quickly.  She still won't go more than a corner ahead of me (who is running at a slow plod to try and keep up with them - not so good for my hips), but they have wonderful bursts of speed where Jo steers around bends and Astrid lets go and runs with the same delight she does in front of the bike.

Winter is a thing.  We might as well make the most of it.  Doing so with my puppy and a Sprout makes that a joy.

Comfort

Potlucks are my very favourite way to enjoy fellowship.  The hostess doesn't have the stress of making a big meal.  The guests feel they are contributing in a meaningful way.  The meal is casual and relaxed.  Everyone can try new tastes or stick with comfort food.

This weekend we had a potluck with a group of friends.  The food and company were wonderful.  There was a new family there, which got everybody asking questions and sharing stories afresh.

The very best part of the gathering for the kids was the critters.  Our hosts have 5 dogs, 4 cats, and 3 fish.  Almost a zoo!  Heaven for the Sprouts.

Now you would think that a house with that many critter family members would be chaotic and a bit odorous.  Au contraire!

The fish are obviously very quiet and stay put in their tank.  They are very soothing to sit and watch while adults get all excited about the assorted food being brought in and moms swap recipes.

Only one of the cats deigned to grace us with his presence, and he thinks he is a dog.

The dogs started the evening outside and were brought in slowly on or two at a time to allow them to get used to all the guests and settle down.  By the time we had all been there for an hour they were sprawled out on the living room floor or cosy with kids.  When the hosts moved from one room to another all five dogs heads were up to see where everyone important was going.

We went home to greet our pup and I was absolutely convinced that she needs company.  Not a pack of four more, but one more for sure.

Moments Matter

On really good days, I am done my daily supply teaching job in time to get home, gather the dog and walk down to meet the Sprouts at the bus.  Today I was teaching at Sprout 2's school in the afternoon.  This meant he came down to the classroom where I was working and we drove home together.

We were early enough to get the kettle full, turn it on and gear up.  Well bundled against our ridiculous wind chill we took the Dog to meet Sprout 1 as she piled off the bus.

Sprout 2 was a trouper about the wind in his face, not to be confused with the much more enjoyable wind in your hair.  And the Dog is working on off-leash walking, so we were loaded up with treats (aka behaviour bribes).

We met Sprout 1 just as she was headed down the road.  The Dog was thrilled to see one of his pack ahead.  But since there were treats involved, she waited to be told to go greet her person.  I was so proud of her.

On the way home we took turns calling her to come back to us (she loves to scout ahead to be sure its safe for the whole pack).  She really like this game as food was involved.

I had a moment of pure joy.  My kids are together, no bickering.  My dog is listening, no running off after deer.  And my husband is on his way home to join us.

Can it get much better than this?