Saturday's News

We had a nice day yesterday. We were up and out early to head into town for the first annual Snowshoe Festival. The event we (Tom) participated in was the 5 and 10k snowshoe race. Yes, people actually strap on racing snowshoes (which have now evolved into the tiniest things vs. the traditional "flotation device" for deep snow) and run around a groomed course. This course was very hilly which surprised a lot of out-of-towners, but Tom did exceptionally well considering his time for training lately (zero), and took home some hardware! He took 3rd overall for the 5k and placed 2nd in his age group. Well done! It was a fun morning spent with friends.

On the way home, though, we had a horrible experience. Tom is such a hero, truly. I couldn't have done what he had to do. We drove over a small rise in the highway, and there, on the side of the road ahead of us was a deer who had been struck by a vehicle. It hadn't been killed and was flailing in agony. It was the most awful thing to see. Tom has always insisted that we carry a buck-knife in each vehicle for just such situations, and so he put the deer out of its misery. It was terrible, all the way around. But, it was finished quickly, and the deer no longer felt any pain. Like I said, I don't think I could have done what he had to do.

That afternoon, the weather still being decent and a snowstorm predicted, Tom headed up to the property again to tarp the one side of the roof of the house he'd cleared on Friday. After that, we headed back into town to visit with some friends and their out-of-town relatives. A drink or two and a really nice visit behind us, we headed out again with hot pizzas to yet another friend's to help him install some kitchen cabinets that he'd handmade in their cabin (which he built). Large timberwolves had been seen near the cabin, so the dogs couldn't be outside for too long unattended. But, we had a great day and a great night, and happily collapsed into bed when we returned home.