Almost magical. The leaves on the trees are budding. The grass is coming up green, the air smells fresh. The birds are calling for mates. And I am back on the trails, well one trail, Siggi’s trail.

I don’t usually feel like going for a ride after dinner, which is often after 8:00 p.m. this time of year, but I get out there knowing that when I am out there that I’ll enjoy it, as will whoever I am riding.

Tonight I rode Raudi, and Pete rode Tyra. We took the dogs with us. The horses felt good, had a bounce to their steps. Ryder was a little slow because yesterday she exerted herself on the trail and then in the yard playing with Shadow. And she didn’t wake us up needing to go out. Her rear legs are now a little shaky. But she’s getting this spring and summer to enjoy herself. I do not think she could now do a long trail ride, so we will spend our time with her on the home front.

Tonight we gave Tyra Panacur, a dewormer; she’s going to again get this for the next few days. I am hoping that she picked up a parasite, perhaps giardia, in the pond in the pen. Or maybe it blew her bacterial flora out of the water. Hard to say. I hope this works and that she does not have to go on a stronger, more potent drug.

With spring comes an upturn in energy. The book lull that we were experiencing has come to an abrupt end. We have so many books now that it is difficult to move around.

Today, Pete, Lawrence, and I went to Raven Hall, which is located on the Alaska State Fairgrounds, and got the books left over from the Bella Kids Consignment sale.

A moment of levity – Lawrence asked, “what exactly is a consignment?” to which Pete said, “It’s when people get rid of shit and other people then buy it.”

We came back to the former banquet room of the historic Eagle Hotel with a truckload of books. This load included a large number of literacy books and supplies. I am right now not sure what we are going to do with this stuff. My immediate job involves sorting and getting the books ready for whoever they are going to.

The books, they are in Ziploc bags that have paper price tags taped on with blue painter tape. And there are many individual books that have the same. The labels have to be removed. This is a real pain in the ass because it’s so time consuming to do this task. And lately, we’ve been short on volunteers.

We also got books on Saturday from the Friends of the Anchorage and Friends of the Palmer Public Libraries. And a fellow came in today with about six boxes full of nonfiction and fiction.

I am keeping from being overwhelmed by just taking it all a day at a time. I think ahead sometimes to the immediate and pressing concerns, but for the most part, I reside where its safe, in the present.

Next: 136. 5/19/26: Pie in the Sky Thinking