personal news

As the full moon rises in the early evening sky over Ponce, we are wrapping things up in preparation for returning to Boston. And by “wrapping up,” I mean trying to get all the things done that we haven’t gotten done in the last two months. In fact, we’ve gotten a whole lot of repair and maintenance work done, and also hosted several sets of friends from various locations. I’m sorry I haven’t posted as much as I would have liked. Sadly, my writing surge was short lived. And now we’re packing a ridiculous amount of stuff to carry back with us—including an extra dog.

It proves to be incredibly complicated, not to mention expensive, to fly a dog home from Puerto Rico, when that dog is too large to travel in the cabin under the seat of a regular airline. Shadowfox is traveling on a cargo plane by herself. A facilitator is seeing to the arrangements for us, which involve SF arriving not in Boston but in Newark, New Jersey. What this means is that I’m flying back first on my own—laden with oxygen paraphernalia as well as the usual huge checked bag. It’s not a pretty sight. Although it may be a comical one.

I’ll be arriving home just in time for some long-scheduled medical tests. And then I load up the campervan and head off to Newark! I must pick up the Fox at 9 a.m. at a cargo facility at Newark Airport, and not be late. (Not my strong suit.) Then the poor critter, hopefully not too traumatized, will head home with me—to her new home! She has calmed down considerably. If we survive the first year of puppy energy, she’s going to be a great companion. (McDuff already is.)

The next day, Allysen and McDuff fly home. I hope, when McDuff arrives to find Shadowfox already there, she doesn’t run away to join the foreign legion.

Here’s a final picture. I couldn’t get McDuff to stick around for the shutter.

The days and weeks are marching by, here in Puerto Rico, temporarily distracted from the insanity afflicting the country. Some friends from Boston were just here, had a great time, and have left. Other friends are coming from Seattle tomorrow. Workers are here most days, repairing brick damage from Hurricane Maria and the earthquakes a few years ago. I’ve done a lot of small repairs. I have been working on the book—pretty steadily, getting a page or two written most days, which for me at this point is great.

It now appears that we will be returning home in a few weeks with a new dog. Shadow Fox got spayed a few days ago and is now wearing a hat of healing. She has quickly learned some of the basic commands, and is mostly house trained. But high energy. And we are tasked with keeping her quiet for two weeks, post-op. Challenging! We know from experience with border collies that smart dogs need something to do, and we’re doing our best. McDuff is not altogether thrilled with this noisy interloper, and it’s hard to blame her. We’re hopeful that things will settle out between them soon.

Here’s a view of Ponce from the neighbors’ house, the Caribbean visible at the horizon.

And here’s Ponce, with dog, from our deck.

Or should I call this the Puppy Chronicles? Little Shadowfox turns out to be a fast learner, and she’s already calmed down considerably and is well on the way to being house trained. She sits and stays (ish). She’s sleeping through the nights, and is getting used to her bungalow (crate). She’s becoming part of the family, and it looks more and more as though we’re going to be returning in April with a second dog. (The name Shadowfox is not official yet, but it seems to be sticking.)

One big project got done by a contractor—a new platform for the pump and pool filter—plus a bunch of small repairs by yours truly. A lot of other important projects are still on hold while we await workers. Until a few days ago, our daughter and her partner were here, enjoying the Ponce celebration of Carnival. They’ve gone back home, and now it’s the two of us and the dogs, until some friends arrive in another week or so.

I’ve begun writing again. Slowly and haltingly, but writing. In fact, in the last week, I’ve dreamt twice about writing (though not fiction). The dreams were so detailed that they involved the actual wording and editing of the text my dreaming self was working on. I’ve never experienced that before. I think my subconscious is beginning to stir.

Here’s a clip of Shadowfox in perpetual motion machine-mode, helping Allysen to water the plants. (If it asks you to sign in, just reload and click Watch on Youtube.)

And the two dogs learning to get out of the swimming pool.