In Defiance of Chaos
It's Thursday the 3rd as I write this; I'm heading east toward Clovis, NM. The temperature has just (finally) broken 0*F, and there's sunshine streaming into the van. There's a three-dog cuddle-pile in the crate. The highway is covered with snow that, in these temps, just laughs the sunshine. I can't type with gloves, but I've got my wristies on!
This is Dart's debut trial, for which I am alternately anxious to do well or prepared for ultimate humbling silliness. Last Sunday, I thought, "Best go into this one well-rested and calm."
Monday: Ha ha ha! I spit at your calm! And also, here is some crushingly bad personal news of tremendous consequence to handle!
Tuesday: Oh yeah? I call your chaos and raise you some GUESS WHAT! Here is all the work not done on Monday, all of Tuesday's work, consequences from the crushingly bad news, a foot and a half of snow, and CHECK OUT THESE TEMPS!
Temperatures: plunge
Dogs: Go outside in THIS? We want in! But oh, we didn't do our business, it was too cold, we want out! In! Out! Dart: Never mind. I took care of everything in here.
DuncanHorse: I am twenty this year. I am not doing well in this cold. Don't I have a better blanket? No? Bran mash, please. Watch me and fret. Did you hear about that horse that colicked in last night's cold? Did you remember that colic almost killed me last year? Did you put me on colic watch? You did? Thank you very much. Don't kiss my nose or your lips will freeze to it.
Wednesday: I have some excellent additional chaos for you in the office! Massive hardware issues! Software is funky! And I'm even colder. But see? You can keep warm outside in 6F, as long as you're working hard to mange the barn, and saving the new agility equipment from the snow, and preparing the van for travel. Isn't that neat?
Wednesday: And oh, PS. I was supposed to be warmer tonight but I CHANGED MY MIND. I'm aiming for -20. Want to come along?
Dogs: Just forget it. Seriously.
DuncanHorse: No, really. I don't feel right. This blanket and liner used to be enough for me but…no thank you, I don't think I'll finish my warm bran and soaked hay pellets.
House: By the way, my pipes are already freezing even though you're still using the water.
Gut Feeling: horsecolichorsecolichorsecolichorsecolichorsecolichorsecolichorsecolic
Me: Runs out to friend's house for heavier blanket. Oh look! I'm STUCK IN THEIR DRIVEWAY. In the dark. At -12F! NOT PACKING. *specific off-color running commentary deleted*
Me: Finally extricated.
DuncanHorse in borrowed blanket: I feel better already. Thank you! I nuzzle you all over.
Dogs: What about us?
House: creaaaak
Me: It's 10pm and I haven't started packing my gear, never mind the van!
Bed: You want me. You know you want me.
Van: What makes you think I'll start in the morning, anyway?
House: Seriously. Stop packing and do something with these pipes.
Note: So far, this doesn't feel very much like restful calm to me.
Thursday: Did you even know it could get this cold? I'm so proud!
Spot the Car, blocking the Garage: Maybe the van started, but I have no such intention.
Van: Have you checked my tires?
DuncanHorse: I am much better, but more warm mash before you go, please!
Office: I know you weren't going to come in here today, but I saved up one last giant splooge of Chaos for you.
Dart: By the way, this is all too exciting, and I've forgotten every little bit of agility you might have thought I knew.
So here we are on the road, ONLY 45 minutes late? Heading to have a weekend of agility in a favorite venue with favorite people?
Yeah. I'll take it!
Dogs: *happy snooze*
PS:
Rest Areas Along Stretch of Big Wide No Other Options: By the way, we aren't open today. Too cold, y'know.
