Day 113

9/4/22

Dogs do not seem to look forward to events or experiences for any great length of time before it actually takes place. They simply seem to live for the moment.

Now, I know if I get the leashes out, they anticipate their walk! Also, if we start to pack the car for the cabin, they get pretty excited! Dinner time? You can only imagine! Also, EVERYTHING excites Gus!!!

We, on the other hand, tend to enjoy the planning and prospect of an adventure. Vacations, parties, events and holidays almost seem as much fun to look forward to as the actual event itself.

For YEARS, my dear daughter, Amanda, has had a strong desire to see the Northern Lights. In the past, she has even compared them to Big Foot...a figment of imagination! Not last night!

Knowing her wishes, I have taken to looking out at the night sky each evening at our cabin. We face north, so I scan the horizon for those elusive lights. I have seen small glimmers with my slightly aging eyes, but nothing incredible enough to awaken her out of a sound sleep.

Last night, about 10 p. m., I peeked out the curtains and couldn't believe my eyes. Blinking and taking another look confirmed that a light show was beginning to take place. I admit, I rechecked about five times from different windows and even outside before I opened her bedroom door to softly announce the lights had arrived.

Amanda and her husband grabbed blankets, slipped out the door and accompanied me down to the beach. She was speechless! The night sky was sprinkled with millions of stars, the Milky Way and the Northern Lights in all their glory!

Mac had joined us by now, and we all stood in awe at the beauty of the light show before us. Finally, the lights seemed to dim and slow their dance so we reluctantly made our way back to the cabin door. She was so appreciative and thankful that I had orchestrated this meeting!

We went to bed a little later with our goldens. There were a few firecrackers, so it was literally a Three Dog Night! The pups don't care how crowded a bed is, they just want to touch one of us when they are uneasy.

This morning, I jumped out of bed and headed for the great room. There, on the couch, I found my son-in-law fast asleep. Amanda came out of the kitchen with a cup of coffee and told me they had stayed up most of the night to watch the show. Evidently, it went on for hours ebbing and flowing with the intensity and color of the display. She told me it was one of the most wonderful things she had ever experienced after anticipating them for all these years. She said they did not disappoint her!

Now Big Foot, on the other "hand", might take a bit longer to meet!