Thank you @maggiesmithpoet.bsky.social for joining us for AP Literature Professional Night! You were engaging, entertaining, thought-provoking, and energizing. Just what a room full of English teachers needed! #APLit #2025APLitReading

Hildi let me close enough for a bit of a photo shoot this afternoon. She still wants the plant between us, but she stayed there and listened to all my stories.

I think Hildi is warming up in the sunshine and balmy 40 degree weather!

Well-below freezing last night in Jackson. Hildi still won’t let us pet her let alone come inside, but we fitted her bed with extra sheets and a puppy-approved heating pad, and that seems to have worked. She’s lounging in the sun next to the deck now.

Hildi, in the front, still won’t let us touch her, but she’s bravely been eating and sleeping on the deck. Honeybun is the neighbor’s former stray who comes over every day, on her own, to play. Today, she tried to steal the bed, but Hildi insisted they be friends and share.

Hildi is just relaxing today in a chilly Jackson, after storms and a cold front last night. One brave puppy, coming up on the deck for a fluffy bed, when she still won’t let us pet her. But maybe she’s starting to like the place.

Went to a wedding this weekend and, something has changed within me, something is not the same. . . .

(Maybe the greatest photo ever taken of me. Completely untouched.)

This is Hildi. She won’t let us touch her yet, but she’s been staying around our yard lately.

She started as Black Dog (‘cause Ethel was Yellow Dog), and then became Hilda. My mom requested something cuter, which became Hildy, which @taymckay.bsky.social emended today to Hildi.

Even the computer took 5 today, so I don’t feel too bad.

Rain and cold here in Jackson, but I think we’ve lured the dog we’ve started calling Hilda out of the bushes and hopefully under the shed. The trail of a food bowl, flamingo toy, Ethel’s toy, and more food may have worked.

Desperate times can soften even the most cynical puppy.

BD prefers to keep their distance, but they seem to find some moments of comfort.

My yard is a magnet for stray dogs, which I like. Almost 11 years ago, the sweet Yellow Dog who we came to love as Ethel walked in. This week, BD (Black Dog) has been coming by and has made close friends with the neighbor’s stray Honey Bunny (who spends loads of time in our yard).

My mom has always told me this, including today’s text, and I’m finally understanding why. She’s a smart person. Persistent too.

The holidays are not over. Classes are not about to begin. My Defiant January continues.

🎶 “We could leave the Christmas lights up ‘till January. And this is our place, we make the rules.” 🎶