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Here I am in the Phoenix airport, with a long layover before I fly into Flagstaff. There is “weather” here….dark clouds and rain. But I am sure that Phoenix rejoices! Years ago, Brook and I came here in April when the desert was blooming. It was breath-taking! So during the turbulence this storm created while we were flying into Phoenix, I recalled that days like this one lead to flowers!

Kathy tells me that Flagstaff (at 7000 feet) has had 6 to 8″ of snow in the last 12 hours, and the Phoenix weather that is moving in that direction (as I am) and will give more snow! Almost like being at home….

I regret that my progress on Brook’s gansey sweater made it not only too big for my carry-on luggage, but also too large to hold in my lap in the airplane…sigh. I wasn’t sure that there was room in my suitcase, but packing super efficiently and (thanks to soft-sided luggage), I was able to squeeze it (and several more skeins of yarn) in.

It is my knitting passion right now, but I won’t see it until I get to Flagstaff. My luggage is somewhere in the catacombs of the Phoenix airport…hopefully to be put on the same plane as I will be on. I always worry, and over time, have had good reason to!

Yes, I do have other projects with me (2 UFOs to be exact); I fantasize that I will finish (or at least work on) them this trip. Recall that I am only passionate about knitting Brook’s sweater…a bad sign! And to make chances even slimmer, (true to my habits) I cast on a hat for myself during the flight from Boise. I couldn’t find my favorite hat before I left yesterday (happily Brook found it in the hay-barn this morning), but I am so habituated to wearing one that I feel the 15% body-heat escaping from my bare head as soon as I am outside! Hmmm, as I get older, will the blood flow to my brain diminish enough that I won’t need a hat????

Yesterday I was wondering why I take knitting that I won’t ever have time to do on every trip I make. And this trip finds me with a drop spindle and a dyed silk hankie to spin, in addition to my knitting projects. But gradually I am beginning to understand what the issue is: I like being surrounded by these things that are so much a part my days at home. Somehow I am comforted and feel less isolated with pieces and parts of my life around me.

If only the most important part of my life could be here too…..he promises that he will come with me next time. But right now, he has guitars to build.

and our animal family to take care of.

Looks like I likely will soon fall behind again! I am going back to work in AZ for a couple of weeks this month…a virtual suspension of my life during that time. But this work is joyful, the people I work with are extraordinary, and I cherish the time on the Navaho Reservation.

If it weren’t for these tough economic times, would I do it? Yes, likely I would….I have wished for the opportunity to be on the Reservation for a long time. I want to learn to weave in the Navaho way, although I recognize that whatever I assimilate, I can NEVER weave a real Navaho rug; I don’t have the stories and the tradition behind me. But I will learn what I can….

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Meanwhile, there is one more “catching up” item to be told. Three weekends ago, I was one of the two people who was asked to help the vet and the judge at the Eagle Cap Dog Sled Races. The “halfway” point for the six teams who did the 200 mile run was here in our valley…very appropriate.

The mushers and their teams began in Joseph on Thursday afternoon and arrived at our “camp” in Halfway/ Pine Valley between 1:30 and 6:30 in the morning. It was very very cold, even though the tent for housing the organizational part of the race had a heater in it. But we were all dressed for the weather, and I was warmed by the excitement of being so near these dogs who were giving their all…who lived to run.

As the teams arrived one by one, Minden Wreden and I had the honor of leading the dogs to the places where each team would pass the obligatory (and certainly necessary) 6 hour rest.

The mushers tended to their dogs carefully, checked feet and limbs, and bedded them down in straw as soon as they stopped. The vets visited each team, examined dogs, and addressed any concerns the mushers had

This musher (like many in the larger longer races) covered his dogs with blankets, both for warmth and to minimize external stimuli (the dogs needed the deep sleep that they fell into almost immediately upon stopping).

They were fed and watered twice during this interval….the first time, they stood up when the food came, ate and lay down again immediately; by the second feeding, they eagerly waited for their food bowls.

The dogs remained hitched in their lines, but rested two by two.

I took dozens of photos….it was dark when the teams came in and and I could only see the dogs in my head-lamp, and feel their amazing energy. I got to touch them and comfort them…and be nuzzled by them. Absolute heaven!

As soon as it was light, I only wanted to stand and look at the dogs long and long. I didn’t take photos of any people (on purpose anyway), but took photos of dogs resting, dogs standing….dogs, dogs, dogs; I don’t think I even felt the cold.

These two were my favorites….the little fox-like dog had the most serene expression. The black wanted all the attention he could get!

I learned lots about sled-dogs and mushing, and admire those who brave the cold to spend this time in the winter whiteness with their dogs…who become “one” with their team. So beautiful to behold…