Happy Winter!

This year, we decided to try a new thing--a Winter CSA from Offbeet Farm, which is right up the road from us. The premise is that they grow storage-friendly veggies and store them and distribute them throughout winter. Our first share had kale, a pumpkin, carrots, daikons, turnips, beets, onions, and garlic.

A lot of those things lend themselves well to simple roasting with olive oil.

Raven seems comfy with us, don't you think? She's all, "Raise your paw, raise your paw if you're sure!"

She is so goofy!

Brrrrrrr!!

First 0F degrees this year! Princess Cricket is not very fluffy even deep into winter, and she hasn't even got half her winter fluff in yet. They are being very cuddly.

Cricket made us do our morning run at a balls-to-the-wall sprint. My morning run was thus not as contemplative as usual, but I did arrive at this:

While we may think that we are living in a time of great darkness, when you look at world history, far worse times have come before, and--I'm sorry to realize--far worse times will likely come again. However, although most of us are Little People, that doesn't mean we are powerless.

When we think of past times of atrocity, we rarely ask, "How did Mussolini come to be? How did Pinochet come to be? How did Hitler come to be?" No, we more often ask, "How did the ordinary people let it happen?" Guess who is ordinary people? We are ordinary people. Ordinary people in Germany cheered as Jewish people were rounded up and taken away. They happily moved into Jewish homes and happily helped themselves to Jewish-owned art and assets.

Very few of us are world leaders, but every one of us is a leader of ourselves. Be courageous. Speak out when you see daily mistreatments of people who are considered "less". If you remain in comfortable silence, blending in when you can, you will regret it when you are in your last days.

I hope you find this message a reason not to despair. You are not powerless. Every day, you have the eligibility to be noble and the opportunity to be courageous. Happy Monday from Cricket and her seester Raven. Hope your week is off to a good start.

"I wanna be clooooose to you..."

Fall turns into Winter

Finally Rosie Creek has frozen and our winter playground is open again! All we need is more snow so we can ski over it!

As well as these other icy spots.

There is also evidence in the trees from the ice storm a few weeks ago.

Raven is looking very regal in her fluffy winter coat.

And so is Princess Cricket, although she has quite a bit more winter coat to grow yet!

Hmmmm perhaps Princess is not so regal while eating COLLY FLOWER LEAFIES!!!

Ravey Gravy loooooves COLLY FLOWER LEAFIES!!!

And actually, she's not that regal at all, haha.

Cricket, however, is a true princess.

Although she is happiest of all while snuggling with Daaaaaaaaddy.

I made Raven play the role of Granny Wolf for Halloween. Why Grandma, what big ears you have!

And this year they both featured in my pumpkin.

We've also started Raven in agility classes. As a young-un, she needs more mental stimulation than the retired sled dogs have needed. And she's doing great! Unlike the pure huskies, she's a people-pleaser, so she's having fun learning how to jump through hoops, run through tunnels, etc. Look how patiently she waits for her turn! I'm so proud!