Because the Universe, and that’s with a capital U, might just comply. I wanted it to be warmer. Well, it has warmed up. Temperatures last night, today, and tonight have been in the mid-thirties. Along with this has come rain and slush and ice. Ugh. But ohh, we remain on top of it.

Me, I’m the dreamer with my head above the clouds. And above the clouds the sun is shining and it’s warm. I was accused in the sixth grade, by my teacher Mrs. Lang, of being too much of a dreamer. She told my mother that my daydreaming was “unhealthy.” And so, for a while I was not allowed to read. I remember having to

Sorting at the School District Warehouse

return the book I was then reading, “Horse on a Houseboat,” to the Dewey Avenue Public Library.” Tonight, I realized she was right. I can only handle doing so much practical stuff, then I can do no more. This is disadvantageous if you live off the grid because one thing or another needs attention.

It’s for this reason that Pete (sad to say) has to do double duty. Last night, when it rained, he had to help me find the horse raincoats and put them on all the horses because it was raining pretty hard. This was at 10 p.m., and then he did the evening chores.

This morning we decided to head to the Mat-Su School District Warehouse and start sorting those seven pallets of books. First, Pete reminded me that I needed to be wearing my boot grippers, and he assisted me on getting them on my boots. They were very tight. A good thing because the driveway was very slippery. Without the grippers, I would have fallen on my ass several times. He then took the time to sprinkle sand on our driveway, so that the truck would not slip. He did a very thorough job.

He then met up with our friend Bill at the recycling center. I did add books to town bookcases, and I did approach the U-Haul Manager about donating storage space for the books. He immediately said yes. I, with the assistance of Fred, an employee, selected a storage unit. It later turned out that the unit was too small. Fred also showed me how to use the storage unit lock – I pretended like I understood how it worked, but later, I handed it to Pete who figured it out pretty quickly.

We did, at the warehouse, sort through four or so very high pallets of books. This was with the assistance of Warehouse employees James and Bradley. I held my own, working with Pete and Bill. I didn’t, as I’ve done in the past, do any heavy lifting. I’m not sure if I’ve gotten wise or lazy.

Pete and Bill worked fast and hard. Me, I made a lot of asides and clever remarks, which I am sure endeared me to all four guys. Bradley finally wrapped the pallets of the books we’re keeping in shrink wrap and said he’d take them to the storage unit in the truck.

Pete and I made a second trip there, and Michelle, the afternoon person, showed us where the upgraded locker was. Pete made sure everything was okay.

Tonight he filled out an application sent to us by Lisa Murkowski’s office – it looks like we will get our 501(c)3 status. I’ll then start applying for grants. Undoubtedly, Pete, the technical writer, will take a look at them and make revisionary suggestions.

I am mortified by my ineptitude. Sad to say, I like having my head above the clouds, particularly when the weather is this nasty.

Next: 359. 12/28/21: And it’s Raining