Still Pulling

I had to check the calendar when we got home from ski-joring Sunday. It really is June and I think this should be the off-season or the free run season. Bryan and Kim seem to have different thoughts. The Beartooth Pass has recorded snowpack. The road department has been unable to get the road open so it is still ski-joring season.

Please, notice my line is tight! I do pull! But I am not a sled dog.

We did get to do a little free running. 

We're Back

Willow here. I don't know if we have enough followers to have anyone miss us, but Kim was on special assignment from the middle of January until yesterday. She was working with an amazing group of Special Education Teachers. They did 15 reading trainings in 90 days. That might not sound like an accomplishment but you have to times that by six groups. 15 x 6 = 90 3hr trainings. Kim loved every minute of it but it was pretty intense. She logged the fewest ski days in 10 years, couldn't run 3 miles if a bear was chasing her, and hasn't blog a thing. The sled dogs and I have given her a bit of a break, but now it is time for her to get back on track.

The sled dogs and I had a good season, with some ups and downs. A down was the lost of our friend Walla Walla "sled dog". Walla really started the whole sled dog obsession at the Busch house.  She was an amazing sled dog. We all miss her.

Walla was such an amazing sled dog, Bryan decided it would take two dogs to fill her harness. Bryan went to the UP and brought home Emmie and Sprout.

Emmie adjusting to house living.

Sprout

The TEAM after their first run and a very happy Bry.

Ski-joring West Fork Road

Beartooth Pass in the Winter

Our trip to the "Top of the World"

Ice fall on the WY side of the Beartooth Pass

Unfortunately (or fortunately) all good things have to come to an end.
Spring has been long, wet, and sloppy.
Sled dogs are NOT rain dogs so we all have spent a lot time in the house.
We have also went hiking at our favorite spot, "Sled Dog Canyons".
It was hot!

Handsome!

Bryan and his "babies"

See Kim was there.

I need a break!

March Madness

 Well, it’s that time of year again…March Madness. No not college basketball - sled dog racing season. I know that for you organized sports enthusiast this is a bit of a down time – between football and baseball. Let me invite you to join me as a spectator of the Last Great Race, The Iditarod Sled Dog Race. The Iditarod has all the thrills and chills of all other sporting events including amazing athletes and down to the nose (literally) finishes.

But…the Iditarod is so much more. The Iditarod has things other sports are missing, a focus on treating other how you want to be treated, putting others first (your dogs), girls can do anything boys can do, and be proud of yourself. The most treasured award in the Iditarod is the Humanitarian Award, given to the musher that the vets vote for best dog care through out the race. There is also a Sportsmanship and Most Inspirational Musher Awards for being a good person. Unlike other sports, men and women compete on the same playing field - no ladies’ tee box. The first musher to arrive in Nome is greeted by a cheering crowd but so is everyone else, right down to the last one - the Red Lantern Winner. Each finisher gets the cherished Iditarod belt buckle.

This year’s field will start with 62 teams of 16 dogs. You do the math, that’s a lot of dogs. Lance Mackey, is trying for his fifth consecutive win, which would tie him with Rick Swenson for most wins. I was going to list the teams I would be watching but I decided my list was too long. I will be watching the front, middle, and back of the pack.

To my knowledge it NOT on ESPN or ESPN2 but neither was the National Finals Rodeo. People just don’t know what they are missing. I think it is only fair that I warn you; The Iditarod can be highly addictive. You might find yourself getting up in the middle of the night to check the GPS tracker or watch the last Iditarod Insider video.  Just remember that it is not over until the last musher gets to Nome.

The Adventure Just Doesn't Stop

Beanie #2

I recently took up knitting and am loving it. I am on my third beanie and first scarf. I love that it goes anywhere and it is a little addictive. To Bryan's dismay I knit everywhere :

• in the car
• on the airplane (Yes, TSA doesn't blink at knitting needles)
• watching TV
• at Sam's Tap Room or any other adult beverage serving establishments
• waiting anywhere
• listening to books
• at coffee shops

and the list goes on .....
I have discover a few disadvantages to being a sled dog mom and knitter.

1. Yarn comes in balls - Sled dogs chew on balls.
2. Yarn is made from sheep fur (I know it is called wool) and I think it must still smell like sheep. (Yum, lamb chops)
3. Bamboo needles are chewable, so are plastic place markers and rubber needle-nose protectors

Well, you know there is a problem when you husband comes into the room and says,"We're in trouble." And he was right, "they" were. Luckily for "them" most of the damages so to the ball of yarn not the beanie.

Musher Want-to-Be

 

 I don't think I have ever had the idea that running dogs was easy but I really thought I was catching on. Two weeks ago, I made the "first" YES "first" run of the season. Bryan likes to make sure I spend just enough time on the runners so I remember why sled dogs live in our house.

I had a great run. The conditions were so good I was able to run the dogs all the back to town. People in Montana look at you funny when you are running dogs down Ski Run Road. It is interesting to see their reactions, some smile and wave, while others scrunch up their faces and give you stink eye. Needless to say, I was feeling pretty good about my mushing skills.

Since Willow is on injured reserve, we have been doing more ski-joring.

I always really enjoy being on my skis. Usually I run with two dogs. I can usually control two dogs but Bryan decided I was ready for three dogs.

 

 We flew down the trail. It was great fun UNTIL...

I was suppose to turn them around. Lucy and I don't always see eye-to-eye. Actually I think Lucy is plotting to get me out of the picture so she can have Bryan all to herself. 

I things were going fine until I got the Walla's tug line wrapped between my ski boot and my ski. 

BIG Problem.

To make a long story short.

At one point, I was not wearing a ski or boot on my left foot. Lucy would not give me enough slack in the line to put the ski back on. 

Walla and Stratus to got in fight.

I broke a nail. I know that sounds really "girly" but it was one of those down deep, throbbing, blood dripping everywhere, Damnit-to-hell breaks.

I tried all my working with dog strategies, beginning with calm commands, which gradually increased in volume, until I was shrieking at the dogs and using language would make a sailor blush.

Off and on through out all of this, I was talking (okay, he says I was screaming) to Bryan on the radio. He really wasn't that helpful. 

Finally he but on his skis and head in to get me and I sat on my butt (ski and poles and sunglasses left far behind in the middle of the trail) while the dogs pulled my down the trail. 

When Bry got to me, he took the dogs and went back for my gear. 

I walked out.

Needless to say, Bryan ran the dogs the next day.

Actually I could hardly move so I just wanted to sit in my chair.
I will get back in the "belt" again, as soon as I can move.

Reflections on Organized Holidays

or Why Do We Do This to Ourselves? 

Once again, my friend Mary, inspired another post. She shared how stressful holidays are for her. I really thought it was just me. Unlike Mary, my sister, and countless other woman, who are trying so hard to keep the traditions going for her kids, I am taking a different approach.
No kids, no traditions, no stress.

I think it is really interesting that "we" (white people and maybe turkey farmers) have taken the fourth Thursday in November and turned it into a big-to-do. The indigenous people of our country may not have quite the same "romantic' view on this day.

On October 3, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation calling for the observance of the fourth Tuesday of November as a national holiday. In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt moved the holiday to the third Thursday of November (to extend the Christmas shopping season and boost the economy). After a storm of protest, Roosevelt changed the holiday again in 1941 to the fourth Thursday in November, where it stands today.

The "real" story has a lot more to do with football, parades, and food.
Don't get me wrong, I like parades and food but why have we created so much stress?

I am not going to pretend to understand what it is to be a mom. Child birth seems to trigger some switch in your head that you have to provide your children with the "wonderful" experiences you had a child. Did you really have that incredible Thanksgiving or is it an illusion?  

Ask any woman about how their mother pulled-off an incredible Thanksgiving meal, they we will say she did it with grace and it was prefect. The pie crust was flaky, mashed potatoes and gravy both lump-free,  homemade rolls fresh from the oven, and the cooked to perfection turkey. 

But was it really like that? Since I have observed many of my altogether-great mom-friends have private melt-downs, I am guessing the women before us had those melt-down, too. Maybe we should share those melt-downs so our daughters don't have same unrealistic expectations we have for ourselves.
 I personally have never attempted to cook a Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. I believe in JUST Say NO! Okay, no one wants to come to our house anyway.

Driving home from Red Lodge yesterday, I heard Paula Poundstone discussing Thanksgiving with Garrison Keillor. I thought she said it perfectly. Have a listen

But on a little more serious note. Today, the Monday after Thanksgiving, my class shared the best part of their holiday. Guess what, it had nothing to do with the perfect meal and everything to do with the "doing". They talking about  spending time with friends and family, staying up late, watching movies, decorating the Christmas tree, and being with people they loved.
So as the Christmas season comes upon us.
Remember it is about the DOING!

I am thankful...

Unlike my friend Mary, who is always thankful and doesn't need an assignment to share it, I am terrible at thank yous. My mother is not to blame, she is the most thankful person I know and thank you cards were required before playing with any toys received at Christmas or birthdays.

My class shared what they were thankful for on our blog.  Out of the mouths of babies, TV and cell phones. Okay, so mine was the vacation days.

Since I am not always the most sentimental person, some of these may be a little shallow but I am also not high maintenance so some are really basic.

1. I am thankful for HEAT. It is easy to forget what a luxury it is to have heat. Recently the heat went out at the Red Lodge house and it took it a couple weeks to get fixed. It was a real reminded how nice it is to come into a warm house. We also have a van that the heater core went out on and Bryan's solution to that was to just bypass it. That is fine and dandy until you want your wife to ride in it is the Winter. 
2. I am also thankful for WATER and ELECTRICITY. I have the privilege to teach in a school that was built in 1905. We have one sink for the entire third floor, the bathrooms are in the basement, and if you run the vacuum cleaner and the printer at the same time you blow the breaker. So for all of you who have a bathroom across the hall, central air, and can plug in any thing you want, please remember to be thankful. 
3. I am thankful for the INTERNET. (Told you I can be shallow). The internet means I rarely have to go to the mall (except JCPenny's has stuff only in stores but they show it to you online so you're sure you need it and then when you go to put in your "basket" it can only be purchased in stores. I know that is some plot to get you buy more stuff when you are there. I will show them I won't do it). The internet means I can send e-cards the day of the person's birthday or just say Happy Birthday on Facebook. The internet means I don't have to find a stamp to pay bills and I never have to balance my checkbook. I just log-on and it tells me how much money I have.
4. I am thankful for MY HUSBAND (most of the time). He did not get the domestic, dinner-on-the-table, house-cleaning-diva that other husband sign up for. He got the I-hate-to-clean, unorganized, I-cook-if-I-have-too, don't-bug-me-I'm-sleeping wife and he seems pretty happy. 
5. I am thankful for my MICROWAVE and CROCK POT. Thank God you can defrost in the microwave. Actually you can cook about any thing in the microwave. The crock-pot only needs one improvement. It needs to load it's self. 
6. I am thankful for my MOTHER-IN-LAW. Husbands establish expectations for wife based on their mothers. Bryan's mom raised him to be pretty laid back about everything, what a gift.
7. I am thankful to be a MOD (Mother of Dogs). I don't have to haul them to daycare. They don't fight with each other (Okay, occasionally).  They usually sleep through the night. They don't complain about what is for dinner. They can be lock in a kennel and no one calls CPS. But most importantly, they are always HAPPY to see me and they will pull me around on a sled or skis.
8. I thankful to have a great VET. Mark really "gets" us and is okay with me being weird about my dogs. Of course we are paying college tuition for at least on of his girls.
9. I am thankful for my friends because they love me for who I am, don't worry if I call or write, and forget my short comings. 
10. I am thankful that I am a TEACHER (most days). Who else gets to talk with 10-year-old boys about how to pee in the urinal and long division within the same 15 minutes? 

I guess I will stop with the TOP TEN, not always in this order.

Happy Thankful Season!