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Ah Prue. So vivid. You are so much braver than me, swimming in that cold ocean. Shudder. But we are there with you the whole way. Brrrr. And then The Terrier! Oh no. Poor love. Hoping so much that he rebounds once again, but it gets harder each time as we age beyond a certain point. Well done with the ballet too. A vibrant post. Thanks so much.

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Thank you, Beth. Wouldn't it be lovely to be considered vibrant? Even without red? I think I'd be happy if folk thought I was a vibrant person, because it implies one lives life to the fullest.

Bring on vibrancy, I say...

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Definitely!! 🐛💐🐞🎉

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We had a little jack russell cross who was such a little personality and soooo full of energy. His final year or so was similar to your little dog - loss of sight, loss of hearing, some arthritis, a llittle doggie dementia towards the end....it was so sad when the time came to say goodbye, but he still lives on in our memories and our family stories. I hope your little guy rallies and gives you a bit more time together for the summer beach walks - and Yay! to the sunshine and warmer weather. :)

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Warmer weather indeed!!! Sadly today has a windchill which as I said to Beth, means soup is on the go. I wonder if ever we will have a whole cadge of days without wind. I feel my skin is scoured daily and yet looks no smoother.

The Terrier has slept a lot of the day. Which while his foot is healing is the best thing. Now and then we have to slip the cone of shame on but by and large he's being awfully good about not licking the wound. I think by this time next week, I won't be able to keep up again as he will be fully charged and ready to rock and roll. We've had 8 Jack Russells in 48 years, sometimes in pairs, and all have gone flat chat like the Everyready Bunny until the end. They're a very resilient, tough little breed. I adore them.

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"radiant with cold" is the very best cold after a swim. Beautiful post.

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I thought of you, swimming every day, Mary. Do hope you're all safe away from the weather demons in the States.

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Aw thanks, Prue. Our central part of Texas gets little disastrous weather, though coworkers and friends and family of coworkers are in the thick of it, as is a brother of one of my cousin's husband. He (the husband of my cousin) reports that neighbors are helping neighbors and they're figuring it out. It's going to be a long road. There's a hospital on a hillside that was wiped out as well as the road leading up to it. Authorities say it will be at least next March before the restoration is complete. Also, I described your cold swim to Jim and he nodded in appreciation for your gear and the water temp!

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Your description of Spring in Tasmania was a treat for the senses…and made me feel like I was right there! I did have to wrap my head around October in the Southern Hemisphere being a time of anticipation and energy, while October here is a time for a sense of loss—and feeling wistful that I didn’t fully enjoy summer’s warmth and sunlight.

How very intrepid you are to swim in the sea—at 12 degree C!!! I had to pack on another sweater just reading about it!

My thoughts and heart is with you and your little Terrier. I think you share each other’s bravery and resilience. As always, thank you for this lovely read.

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*degrees C! PS, huge congrats for your novel!

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I'm in two minds about summer these days. I love the warmer weather and being able to swim right under. I love wearing shorts and stuff on the coast. I love the fresh produce from the garden, but I dislike heat with a passion and I hate the way the coast over-populates with incomers. I love rugging up in winter, the starry nights, the clear air, the knowledge that there will be no bushfires. Or snakes. And that there will be many fewer incomers around. Still... one can't have everything!

Thank you for thinking of the Terrier. And me...

And I will happily recieve send some more energy and resilience for us both as we struggle through nights when the little chap wants to lick the now de-seeded foot into extinction.

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I feel the same about summer/winter here! Especially about all the summer visitors to the county campground 3 miles away. They drive way too fast and often recklessly on our little road; 😬 campers (caravans) swaying wildly from the back of enormous pickup trucks! We have similar summertime blues in the Pacific Northwest: we haven’t had wildfires close by, but wildfire smoke from near and far, is at times quite severe.

Here’s to starry skies for your summer, and though it might take a miracle (but I’ll wish anyway), one free of bushfires! And sending all good thoughts for your “little chap.”

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Having experienced your spring just a few weeks earlier (mid-September) I can so appreciate the glory of the re-emergence, the intensity of the sun, the call of the water. Though I did not have the nerve to swim, my husband did -- and then spent two hours feeling chilled to the bone!

I do hope your little terrier feels better with the removal and treatment of that pesky seed. Who would've thought!? It does seem as though the troubles cascade with age.

Fingers crossed for your book!! Your ballet!! Your bag!!

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It's funny - I rather like that chilled to the bone feeling, as long as its accompanied by 'the burn' as the blood rushes around. In the middle of winter when I swim, I've been known to come home from a swim and have a warm shower and then lie in a warm bath. For ages! Rather heaven, actually. But probably the bath contradicts the benefits of the cold-water swim.

The Terrier seems better but is still licking periodically and its a battle of wills for the dog, my husband and I to prevent it becoming compulsive. He's hard to feed at the moment and so his meds are all over the place in terms of timing.

And thank you for the crossed fingers!

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First of all the RED allusion - absolutely correct! My fav sis-in-law and I have always spoken about the cheering power of a red shoe! They go with everything and provide an instant surge of optimism. When she met her surgeon for the first time, she caught sight of scarlet leather boots beneath the lab coat. Instantly, my sis said that she felt all would be well. (And, it was!)

I so enjoyed reading about all your greens (Leaves and buds of chartreuse, lime, emerald, even verdigris and matcha green) so different from the autumnal tones we have here! Your swim made me reach for a heavier cardigan lol I am beyond impressed that you do this, Prue. Finally so sorry to hear that The Terrier is struggling, the poor wee chap - but he *is* a Terrier and may rally again! They are incredibly tough fellows as we know. Finally, HAPPY BIRTHDAY - I will look forward to seeing the cake you'll be having!!!

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Thankyou, Sue. He's much more energised when out walking but must be leashed so that he doesn't head to the sand or the roadside grasses. Just till the foot is fully healed. His licking is still an issue. Today, we are trialling a calmative, just to be used on Wednesday when we have a water trip coming up and he must be left on his own for 5 hours. I hate doing it. I want to see what happens with the tablet first before committing to the trip.

Thank you in advance for the birthday...73! Yikes!

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I loved this piece. Prue. Such acute observations of the world, yourself and your little dog. Beguiling and encouraging.

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Thank you, Martin. That's really kind.

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Prue, such a beautifully-written post - you've transported me to a land of chilly seas and springtime. Glorious. And congratulations on the news about The Red Thread! Thrilling!

Sending strength, smiles and snuggles to The Terrier. And to you, of course. I'm so glad the vet found a reason for The Terrier not feeling himself - that horrid grass seed - and I hope that things are improving all round. 😘

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Terrier is like a box of frogs now, Rebecca. No holding a good Jack Russell down.

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Hurrah! I’m SO pleased to hear this, Prue! Excellent news indeed.

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Absolutely over the moon to hear about shortlisting The Red Thread! What a thrilling affirmation of all your hard work. I haven't yet read books 3 and 4 in the series, after slowly delighting reading 1 and 2. I may just skip right on by in order to read this one next (as you mention in the forward that it will be OK).

Also very glad to hear—as I am so late in getting to this—that the terrier is feeling better now. It is hard not to worry for them. Hope the water is worming up so you still get a bit of a fizz but maybe not white hands for half an hour. That's too long! Wonderful read, as ever.

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I do recommend reading The Shifu Cloth to give you a sense of the Han province and what Ming Xao is up against. But you could still read Book Five alone happily.

The Terrier! OMG!

Yesterday, he went to a new beach with his new best friend and spent rather too much time ingesting salt water. By the time we headed back to the car, he had effectively had bowel prep for a colonoscopy! He drank masses of plain water before we loaded him into the car. Then he threw up in the car and all the while an alarm bell was ringing in my head. We once had a dear JRT who nearly drowned chasing pelicans out to sea and he was in a shocking state, requiring desalination and an oxygen tent for 24 hours. I know that too much saltwater is fatal and that a dog can go into seizure and death.

My dog trainer friend said that he'd be all right, but I was panicking.

When we got home, he had more diarrhea, more vomitting and was shaking convulsively. But he drank 2 bowls of water over 30 minutes. I had wrapped him warmly and stood him in a bowl of warm water and then he sat in the sun enough to warm further. Wandered off and ate grass, threw up and then slept until dinner.

I gave him a little soaked toast and then tiny pieces of the toasted crust. He slept again. And before bed, we had a slow walk to see how his bowels and bladder were and then tucked him up for the night. He did not move and in typical JRT fashion, woke up this morning as fit as the proverbial fiddle. Me a little less so...

PS: The water is warming marginally.

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OMG is right! You should be writing stories about your wonderful/dramatic JRT! I am so sorry to hear of the trauma he put YOU through! What a scary time and good for you for hanging in there with him and keeping him warm and safe. Especially with prior fears looming large. I'm delighted to hear he is back to his old self. Hope he gives you a gentle day to recover.

And thanks for the advice re your books. I'll ponder for a few moments before choosing. :)

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I often wonder why I keep getting JRT's and have decided I am a masochist and need help!

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