I've been dreading hearing Shira's story, but it seems to me that if she had to go through such a horrible experience, the least we can do is show up and listen. I'm so glad she has landed with you, Steph. Thank you for giving her a voice; am looking forward to hearing more from her!

I did the same thing once, ferrying a 50 gallon plastic barrel of water in the back of my Jeep from home to horses on pasture a few km (I'm Canadian) away. I slowed down to take the turn on the highway, saw someone coming up behind me way too fast, took that turn too sharply and too fast . . . Oh well. My condolences on the passing of your dear dog. I went through that last fall with our old Australian Shepherd (my husband called her "The World's Best Dog") and a good old horse and a dear kitten who was with us only a couple of months. It's hard. But they give us such a lot. Your Freddie was as well-loved and well-cared-for as it's possible for a dog to be. Glad to have you posting again. I've been too distracted with other things for months to post; I'll take heart from you that it is possible to start up again.

Mahina, thank you as well, for your encouraging comment. I have written back by email, but it occurs to me to mention here that if I didn't write quite so much (cough) for each post, you might have time to read them more often. Succinctness is not my strong point.

Thanks, Jill, for your very encouraging comment! I'm glad you enjoy my posts. It makes me smile to know that you can picture the Greenwood library clearly, and I'm sure you attended craft fairs in past years. I know, also, that you did your share to support the library. I remember working with you on those very first raffle quilts . . .