It’s been a surprisingly trying winter. For the first time in our married lives, we rode out an ice storm that left our driveway coated with 3-5 inches of packed ice for over a week. Finally, a kind neighbor with heavy machinery used his tractor with a claw arm to clear a way for us to be able to get off the property. We were very lucky the power never went out, since all our appliances rely on electricity. The government shutdowns have made the job market highly uncertain, as well.
And yet, we’ve been blessed to have a fourth husky join our family as the third of the third generation of huskies to live with us. Trinity was born 10/10 and came to us in December. She is the smallest husky we’ve ever had, so we’ve been unusually protective about letting her have run of the house. However, the boys, especially, have taken her under their wing after a rocky first week – and today Wolfgang taught her how to properly use the doggie door on her own… after a few weeks of us pushing it open for her so she’s comfortable with the flaps dragging across her back as she comes in or goes out. Trinity has proven herself smart and sweet and has immeasurably brightened our days.
So news coverage of how oligarchs are looking to monetize pet ownership caught my eye. I’ve heard from a number of vets, vet staff, and assorted service providers that the industry is increasingly “going corporate” so it’s not surprising. I’m just grateful our pups are largely healthy (notwithstanding KouKi’s diabetes) – and we’ve found independent providers in the area. KouKi herself has now been on insulin for over a year and remains playful and engaged, without the need for regular medical intervention.
Speaking of health, I was fascinated by reporting on a comprehensive review of studies about fasting. Hubs and I have followed the research on intermittent fasting and have ourselves garnered many of the benefits of limiting our eating to a 5-hour period each afternoon. Another bit of health-related reporting about advances in cancer treatment that rely on ultrasound also sound promising.
On the other hand, the new ways people looking to establish new relationships can be burned are truly dismaying. From being “AI chatfished,” to “alpine divorcing,” to the general brain rot AI appears to be precipitating, I’m more firm than ever in my “one and done” stance on being married and am glad AI was never part of the equation when I was in the dating pool.
In the world of scientific reporting, news about the Large Hadron Collider being shut down caught my eye, since reporting 15 years ago about the dangers inherent in starting it up inspired me to write Dementional. Reporting on the “dragonfly” being prepared to explore Saturn reminded me of some of the tech I’ve imagined into my Planet Seekers trilogy.
Given the general malaise that has dogged us during the dark months, I’ve made minimal progress on finishing that series, though I keep opening the document and re-reading what I’ve done so far. I’ve even read it to hubs, who says it’s good – and he can really see my progress as a writer. Maybe 2026 will be the year I’m finally able to finish it and release it. I’ll keep you posted.