Plot change!

It's a long drive from Loveland, Colorado to Madison, Wisconsin, especially when you're driving one vehicle and pulling another.

James and I filled the hours with talk. Lots and lots of it.

One of the things we discussed was the importance of rolling with the punches. Life rarely goes according to plan, but it's easier if you learn to embrace those plot change! moments. At the very least, they often make for the best stories. 

Yesterday, was supposed to be the last day of my trip to Wisconsin. James, Guppy, Mercury and I posed for one last selfie, then it was off to the airport. I drank a Spotted Cow in the bar and wrote a happy/sad post for Facebook.

Then I had a plot change!

This one isn't actually a fun story, so I'll keep it brief. After a long and unproductive night at the Madison Airport, I returned to James' apartment for a little bit of sleep. This morning, at the crack of dawn, we said goodbye again.

I boarded a Badger Bus bound for the Milwaukee Airport.

He walked back to his brand new life.

Despite some significant challenges, this has been a good week. Although I will miss having him nearby, I am so glad I was able to help James move. I hope Wisconsin is everything he wants it to be and more. I love you, kiddo. Roll with those plot changes!

Postcards from Madison

It took so much longer than we'd expected, but we did actually make it to Madison. Here's the proof!

celebrate

the power of curds

curds!

farmers' market

more curds

flowers

produce

more produce

protest

more protest

puffins

argonians

mail

signage

Wisconsin welcome wagon

Wisconsin welcome gifts

cow

bunny

wheels and margs

bird bath

Lake Mendota from the University of Wisconsin Terrace

Lake Mendota from the University of Wisconsin Terrace

evening walk

morning walk

Lake Monona

Lake Monona selfie

Lake Monona

tracks

excitement

disappointment

Lake Mendota

Lake Mendota

Mansion Hill

Wisconsin

eom

I have written over forty posts this month, more than half of which showcased BreyerFest contest entries.

The others focused on bridleless competitions,

various barn happenings,

the Denver Dog Fair...

and - who could forget? - a million blind box toys.

It's been a lot of words and a lot of pictures...

Samantha Oaks' 2026 BCC Fantasy entry
"The Lepid Yholf is a Lepidoptera‑born hybrid of my original creature creation, the Yholf. It has the strength and grace of a horse, the features of a wolf, and the dense, cold‑weather fur like that of a yeti. Many Yholf types exist, but the Lepid Yholf is the most elusive. If you’re lucky enough to spot one, it will be in the high, quiet places of the forest where the “night touched bloom grows” a flower carrying the quiet glow of a sky full of stars."

but somehow, I still have a whole list of half-written June posts in my draft folder.

At this point, most of them won't be finished.

It's okay.

The moment has passed.

Somethings don't need to be shared.

There are a few posts, however, that deserve more.

There are a couple posts that are essential.

It won't happen today and probably not tomorrow or the next day either. 

It might take me until the end of next month, I promise, eventually, they're going to happen.