Grieving, burning, cleaning

For a little over three years, my routine was to get up every morning and go to the barn.

Oh, I missed a few mornings here and there: When I had covid,  again when I had norovirus, when I was in Kentucky, Iceland, North Carolina and California and every now and again for a model horse. 

Those were exceptions, however. Day in and day out, I was there every morning spending time with my girl.

I have felt completely unanchored in the weeks since Olive died. Typically, I don't go in to work until noon, and filling those morning hours has been tough. Since the fires began, I've spent entirely too much time doing nothing but watching flames. It's not good.

Yesterday, I didn't work and didn't want to spend another entire day that way. I challenged myself to clear the top of my desk in preparation for NaMoPaiMo. I got on a roll and spent the entire day cleaning. I am pleased to report that my studio is the most presentable it's been in years. It still wouldn't get a Fabian Rodriguez good housekeeping seal of approval, mind you, but it's so much better than it was. Progress.

Of course, while cleaning, I found a lot of things I no longer need to own. The higher dollar items will go up for sale eventually, but I've decided to take a page out of Lynn Isenbarger's playbook and giveaway some of the smaller items via monthly blog raffles. The January offering is a set of 2019 Jennifer Show medallions, Notch and Ruffle. 

All the usual rules apply: Every comment left on this blog will equal one raffle entry. Old post, new post, multiple posts, it just doesn't matter, but if you're posting anonymously, be sure to include your name. I will choose the winner on January 20.