Girl power-Wooo-hooo!

The girls weekend at Lost lake had to be moved to a different locale...so Tara and I spent the weekend at Fort Custer St Park running the dogs on her SWEET! Fritz Dyk cart. We mostly took out 8 dog teams, and one of us drove, while the other one relaxed in the (comfortable) seat. It was fun, and we got to run the dogs, see lots of wildlife, as well as hearing scary footsteps in the night walking closer and closer...then went on by. When you're laying inside a "tent cot" (another cool thing Tara brought along) and you hear heavy footsteps clumping outside, it makes your heart beat faster! Fortunately, my friend Tara comes well armed, and she is reported to be a pretty good shot, too! I had a dog-collar light I was going to use to either strangle the guy with the elastic band, or shine it in his eyes to blind him so Tara could get off a clean shot at him!

We kept a nice fire going, ate very well, ran dogs, and listened to the coyotes near by yipping and howling. We figured out how to "cook" coffee in a fire pit, and I put up a "mushers bathroom" for us to use as the pit toilet was a bit of a hike, (and after a couple of beers, it is imperative to have nearby facilities!) I tend to talk too much, and probably bored Tara to death with my long winded, rambling stories....but she is a well mannered young lady, and instead of shooting me, leaving me to wander the forests of Michigan, or telling me to shut up, please, she listened.

We lucked out with the weather too. Friday night was cold, so we got a couple of short runs in , on Saturday we went out twice with the dogs (a.m & p.m.) then we got up early this morning and went for a longer run with the 8 younger dogs. It got warm today, and we enjoyed sitting in the sunshine around the fire. Reluctantly, we packed up and headed home. That was when Tara checked her messages and I found out that my son, Jeremy had gone to the hospital for chest pain. He is resting at home with a lung infection (they think) Khamala, his wife, said that he was still in a lot of pain. I worry about him a lot....he smokes and doesn't take good care of himself. They have 4 beautiful sons, who love their daddy very much...it would be terrible to have something happen to him. Jeremy is such a good man. I love him so much, and he works so hard for his family (as does Khamala!) I wish he could see how his kids look up to him, and that they all count on him. It hurts to know that he is hurting, and I hope he will be well again soon...but maybe this will finally convince him to quit smoking, and take care of himself better.

Three-peat for Lance!

Well, I am happy today that Lance won his third Iditarod in a row....under extreme conditions. He is just amazing, and I am so happy for Tonya and his family. He gets another big shiny new Dodge, and some money for dog food and bills. Lance always steps up and works his ass off, which is a great message to some of todays youth who seem to feel everything should be given to them. We are thinking of Dr. Tim too, who is still out on the trail, and probably will be until Sunday. 2 weeks of running dogs....wow! What a life!

Tara and I are going to Farwell (Lost lake) this weekend to camp and train dogs. It is a girls weekend, and I am SO up for that! Gonna cram 4-5 dogs into my pathfinder, and everything else we need...Tara has kindly offered to let me sleep in Dean's famous tent-cot, and will be bringing the water and a campstove. Our friend, Martha (another Seppala lover) is coming on Saturday. Unfortunately, Jill has a commitment and won't be able to come over, but we will have another girls weekend with the dogs again soon, if all goes well this time. (Even if it doesn't!)

I have to see how much I can load into the PF, and plan to travel as light as possible...which for me will be hard. Always like to have what we "might" need handy...but will try to control that urge! Better get packing!

Wet Tuesday in March

Another dreary wet day...though yesterday was nice once the ice melted. Had to be at the Dr's by 9 a.m. I don't miss having to drive everyday! The ice on the country roads was very challenging, and I drove about 30 mph all the way to town. Ted says I drive like an old lady (DUH!?!) but accidents are so "inconvienent"! So, I try to avoid them whenever possible.

Fiona and I got our walk in the sunshine....it was really perfect. Sweathirt only, no jacket needed...I LOVE that kind of weather. And, I got all of the kennels and dog yard cleaned up yesterday too. That is a relief...I hate it when there is p--p in the kennels...and with all the snow we got, I did miss some of it when doing the daily cleaning. Now it is all picked up, and it makes me feel much better. Still a LOT of ice in the lower kennel and the dog yard. Goose tips over his bucket every day and puts it in his house...so I had to take all the straw out of his house and put in some dry bedding. He loves that...it is like Christmas to get fresh bedding to the dogs! They dig, and twirl around in it, and mostly knock it out of their houses...so I keep putting it back in until they settle down. Goose stuck his head out to give me a kiss when he was done arranging his bed. He is such a goof ball....I love him!

Saturday home...for a change

Been following Mary's posts on Tims first Iditarod experience. Tim and Mary come to our MUSH fall meeting and provide a vaccination clinic for our dogs. They are two of the nicest most down to earth people, and fun to hang out with too. Tim has been to Europe to run the Grande Oddysee (SP?) and had run other mid and long distance races, but this is his first Iditarod, and so we are cheering for him...it would be so cool if he won, but even finishing that race is an achievment. Here is the link, if you'd like to take a look. http://mary-northernplights.blogspot.com/ I can't wait to hear what happens in the next couple weeks that Tim will be on the trail.

Here is another link to the Sweetwater Challenge article that Meyerson did in the GR press.
The video took forever to download on my computer...dial up...:(
http://www.mlive.com/outdoors/index.ssf/2009/03/mushers_go_the_distance_on_swe.html

Not much else happening...raining, dreary and Ted and I watched movies for most of the day. We're going to bed really early tonight, because we have to be in GR at 5:15 tomorrow morning for his MRI. I AM NOT a morning person...and prefer to stay in a nice warm bed until at least 7:30 a.m. So, being kinda easy, he bribed me with breakfast "out"...which worked. Wonder if it would just be too white-trashy if I wore my flannel pj's and a sweatshirt??

Like a fine "whine"

Well, took some of the dogs for a short run today...and had to use the quad. I miss my sled! I miss the snow! I miss going to races on weekends! O.K. enough complaining...seasons change, blah blah blah....it is just so hard when winter starts to give way to spring for me. LAST time I'll whine about it (this year, anyway)

Ted wants to go to the Home and Garden show in GR this weekend, so that may get him motivated for some spring/summer projects around here. IF nothing else, it would be so nice to clean and organize the garage and shop. Hate trying to work out there with everything you need to walk around, or step over to get to the saws, planer and other tools. Clutter makes me feel anxious...and makes for an unpleasant work environment. I don't care if takes a month, that is my main goal for this summer! Plus, when people come over to pick up a sled, or buy a harness, it would be nice NOT to be ashamed of how messy the garage and shop look!

Then, I guess I'll have to get started on the basement. THAT is my nemisis! First I have to sort through all of the jackets, clothes and footwear, toss or give away what we don't need or wear anymore...after that, organizing it won't be too difficult. Too much stuff...where does it all come from!? Ted and I have conflicting opinions on what to keep, and what could be gotten rid of...IE: my stuff can go, his must stay. ( and vice-versa. ) Do we really need to keep the Carpenters albums from the 70's? We don't even have a turntable anymore! Yes, I DO need to save the old canning jars...even if it isn't recommended that a canner be used on my stove! Someday, I may have a different stove and want to can some peaches! Then I will need those jars! See...that is how it goes around here. Ted has been trying to get me to get rid of my stained glass tools and supplys for years. He cannot understand that "someday" I may find the time to do it again, (that may be all I can do,) and I don't want to replace everything again. I should make a deal with him, that IF I loose both of my hands or arms, and really cool robotic replacements haven't been invented yet, then he CAN get rid of my stained glass stuff. Otherwise, stop bugging me about it!

Sorry...I seem to be feeling feisty today. Better go.

far from nome...

This coming weekend would've been our last event of the season...but was cancelled due to ice and unsafe conditions. Guess I'll have to gas up the "quad" and take the dogs out with that. We had such nice snow since the middle of December, which is not always the case in Michigan. I'm just not ready for winter to be over...not that the ice in the kennel and dog yard are appreciated, but it always feels kind of sad to put the sleds away until next winter. Most people love summer, and think anyone who doesn't is "odd". Michigan is a beautiful place to live, especially if you like the outdoors...but I HATE so many things about Michigan summers. It's fun to spend time on the lakes, but the humidity is hard to handle, as well as the mosquitoes, deer flies, and other tiny critters that want to suck your blood! It is always difficult to enjoy a season that causes so much discomfort and torment to the dogs, too. We are fortunate that we live on a hill...and have lots of trees. The dogs get swimming pools, and Ted set up a mist-er system to help cool the air when it is very hot.
When it is really hot, I feel guilty about being inside in the A/C watching my Iditarod programs while they are out in the heat and bugs! Such good dogs...wish they could ALL be in the house with me! Maybe this summer I can slip a few more in occasionally...but Ted is sure to notice if there are 4 or 5 inside! Hope we will have a new puppy to raise from Penny's (Maybe) litter.
She and Q-Ball made some awfully nice puppies in their first litter. I hope she conceived this time. Ted will probably want him/her for HIS team! Oh well, it would be nice to have a puppy to raise.
Today, sitting on one of the dog decks, with Zev and Ketna giving me kisses all over my face and neck, I realized that of the 21 dogs we live with, 15 of them were bred and raised here. The other 6 we bought as pups, or young adults. Sitting there, watching them interact, playing, and running around, made me grateful (again, and like I am every day!) that they are such a huge part of my life. There are few moments during the day that my mind is not occupied by something dog specific or dog related. I don't think I've gotten to the point where I'm "collecting" dogs...but watching all of their individual faces, and bodies...each with a unique personality makes me realize how much I truly love them. Some are more athletic than others, but they all will give all they can when asked to. Some are brave, or shy, or curious or snuggly.
Some are quick to lick my face, others are reserved and will only get goofy if they feel I want them to. They are all so different, yet have the same wonderful qualities! How can people ask how I remember all of their names? Of Course I do! I was with most of them when they came into this world, and taught them to sit before they got a pat, or their food dish. I named the majority of them, sometimes with Ted's and the grandkids input.
O.k. now I'm starting to ramble again,(yes, I did already take an Ambien....so should get into bed soon!)
Alaine took this photo in the back of the property last December 08. When I am really really old, I wonder if I will look at these photos with the same feelings I get now, seeing them. Remembering how it feels to be pulled along in the snow, listening to their breath, watching the dogs muscles ripple beneath their fur, and feel so thankful that I am able to do that...and never wanting to stop! I do plan to be mushing into my 80's, if my health holds up...and if it doesn't then that will be a good time to train a grand kid or two to drive a team. Michael is the most promising...maybe Noah too. I don't think Ben and Jon will want to, but one never knows who will be bitten by the mushing bug!!

"Training opportunities"

P

Another glorious weekend with the dogs, and our friends. Tara and I tried to run together for most of the Sweetwater challenge, and on Saturday we had a good time, just taking our time and enjoying the deep blue sky, white snow, golden sunlight, and of course, the dogs! Had some great "training opportunities" getting over a deer carcass on the trail, then what looked like another deer had exploded on the trail further on. The dogs that knew better couldn't stop the younger dogs that didn't...so we had tangles, and mouthfuls of fur flying and tugs of war going on with deer parts all over the place! But, as I said, training opportunities are how you have to view this stuff. Everytime I get on the sled, I expect a good run...but, life being as unpredictable as it is, that seldom happens. SOOO, you can look at it as "S--t happens, and why does it always seem to happen to me, waah waaah wahhh!" or, as a training opportunity. I prefer to consider it as the latter, not the former. Dean said something this weekend that sounded very wise..." one problem at a time." This was as our truck and dog trailer were stuck on the glare ice of the outbound driveway...and then Ted noticed a ticking in the engine...so that took the guys (Thank you for the GUYS!) to figure out, then fix it...then Tara, Dean, Ted and I spread straw from one of the empty dog boxes, sand, leaves and whatever we could find under the trucks tires to try to get up the hill. It worked, and we were on our way home. :(

It was a really interesting group...alot of laughing, good natured ribbing, (Yep, I think my brain has enough endorphins for a while!) It was fun meeting new mushers from other states, admiring each others dogs, and swapping dog stories. Tara and Dean, Patty and Demos shared the lodge with all of us, and we ate, and ate and ate, and hung out. Such wonderful people to spend time with, and they were very tolerant of Ted's new party game, "wear the drunk goggles and pick up this coin!"

Most of us were laughing, and eventually, everyone joined in. Tara, Janine and Karen are now the designated drunk drivers...(they did the "best" on the tests....NOT that any of them would ever drink and drive!!) Ted is always the teacher, and loves to hook up anyone that will allow him to with his "fatal vision" goggles, and other fun stuff. Not so much for the learning part of it...more for raw entertainment!

Rick and Linda, as always, put on another successful event, and made it possible for all of us to be out on those gorgeous trails. The weather was awesome, sunny, cold (especially on Sunday) and it looks as though that may be the last time this season for us to be on the sled. It is supposed to rain and warm up toward the end of this week, so our last race with MUSH will probably be cancelled. I hope not, but we will have to see what happens. The event next weekend is more of a fun thing...the Far From Nome last race of the season for MUSH. Sleeping bag start, poker runs, and just being with the MUSH "family" one last time with the dogs. If it goes off, I would love to have my daughter and granddaughter come so they could take photos.

Think there would be lots of great opportunities for interesting shots!

Howard Meyerson from the GR Press was in Baldwin at the Sweetwater Challenge to do a story on mushing. It will be in the GR Press next Saturday. He also took a video that can be viewed from the mlive site...not sure when that will be up. Check it out, if you are interested.