These past few days I've been training for a position as a baker.  It's nice to be actually making things rather than simply packaging them and dealing with the customers.  It was also such a self-confidence booster to be offered the promotion after only five days.  There were a couple people who really went to bat for me and I'm grateful beyond words that people could feel so strongly after knowing me for only a few days.  The new position is very physical and regularly requires lifting heavy things.  I'm thankful that I'm strong and sturdy, even if I do have what a certain someone always referred to as a 'peasant's body'.  There is also a whole new skill set involved when baking on a large scale that is very different from baking at home.  Yesterday I went through nearly four hundred pounds of batter in six hours.  I even created by own kind of muffin, Oatmeal Rum Raisin, that the supervisor approved to go on the floor.  The man who is training me, Ralphie, is wonderful.  We already joke around and tease each other while working.  He's also shown me a lot of tricks that make the job easier and faster.  And I've met quite a few people who have the potential to be friends.  Things at work are going well, even if a part of me pines for more time at home and more time with my special someone.  There are of course many hours in a day and we do see each other quite a lot.  Too often though one or both of us is coming or going.  We always do seem to make some time before we sleep to talk or to just hold each other.

"Wars and elections are both too big and too small to matter in the long run. The daily work - that goes on, it adds up."

It has been so wonderful out lately, the kind of days where you simply cannot bear to be inside.  There are flowers blooming, the apple and cherry blossoms are just starting to make an appearance, morning choruses of birds greet you with the sunrise, and the weather is a pleasant mix of warm sunny days and cool spring rains.  But the thing I wish I could share with everyone I know is the smell.  Inside our apartment it smells like woodsmoke. fresh baked bread, and garlic.  Outside I'm assaulted by so many smells that I simply have to stand for a minute every time I open the door.  It smells like fresh damp earth, moss and leaves and growing things, sunshine, rain, flowers, pine, and fresh air.  And that's only scratching the surface.  More than anything I'd like to bottle that smell and send it to everyone I love who is still locked in the ice and snow. 

This weekend Dylan and Annie and I took full advantage of the beautiful weather by hiking up nearby Spencer's Butte (like a very big hill or small mountain).  We took a picnic lunch with us and sat in the sun and watched hawks ride the thermals at eye level.  It was busy on the Butte, it seemed like everyone had the same idea as us, but who could blame them.  For awhile we were as much of a sight as the view.  People kept walking by us saying things like, look at the view, look at the birds, look at that big dog!  Annie, who is of course an absolute diva, just sucked up the attention, but we were less happy about being a tourist attraction.  Eventually we did manage to find a little spot slightly more secluded from the groups of happy families.  It was no less than wonderful to just sit there and enjoy the weather, the food, and the company. 

I woke up this morning sandwiched between Dylan and our big goofy dog (who always manages to get most of the bed sometime during the night) it was hard to get up out from under the warm blankets and start my day.  But with birds singing me encouragement (the hungry dog didn't hurt either) I did actually manage the superhuman feat.  Today is the last day I have to do whatever I want before I rejoin the work force.  Now that I actually have a job I'm appreciating my free time.  I guess I just have a contrary nature that way.  I'm worried that perhaps my hours at this new job will take away the quality time I've being enjoying with Dylan lately, it looks like I'll be working afternoons and evenings.  But I also think I'm just looking for something to worry about.  Things have been so wonderful lately and I've just been so happy, it seems like it would be all to easy to lose that.  Its been longer than I like to think about since I've felt this happy, I know that it can't go on forever, but sometime its nice to imagine.

Now its time for me to stop worrying and go out and enjoy the beautiful day. 

Today was a day that was perfect for not doing anything in particular. After I woke up to feed the fearsome beast and let her out for her morning ablutions, I curled up next to Dylan's warm sleeping body for another hour or so. I drifted off into that half sleep where one has the best and most memorable dreams. We breakfasted upon leftover flatbread and Dylan went off to a friend's house to do some rewiring work on his epees.

Once I got my lazy butt going for the day I took the aforementioned fearsome beast on a long meandering walk along deer paths in the surrounding woods. It is so lovely out. We're only around the middle of February but there are already Daffodils, Crocuses, and Snowdrops spreading bright color in patches in the woods. New leaves are just starting on trees and with all the winter rain we've had everything is green, green, green. The woods smell like spring, and the past week we have had beautiful blue skies smiling at us on our Butte. It makes me smile.

As of today Dylan and I have been together for six months. On one level it feels like we've always been together, on another like those six months have just flown by. But however you count the days I know that he makes me happy. Even though we may sometimes squabble over who gets to use the internet to play some pointless game or another.

This evening I gave Dylan a haircut, then proceeded to chase him around the house with a broom. After all you have to keep life interesting, and his arms are longer than mine.

The dog has mastered the art of puppy eyes and uses them consistently to be allowed to cuddle on the bed with us. This is no small matter when you have a 100+ pound Great Dane who likes to lay across your legs.

All in all a good day.