I miss the drive, I should be visiting the forest where I’ve searched these past few years. But of course the ground is frozen and snow must blanket the area by now. My visits in all seasons have been rewarding in many ways. While gold had always been the draw, the natural world shared so much with me. At this time of year animal tracks indicate how healthy the area has been. It’s a great way to understand the animal movements and habits. My last few visits revealed that logging is moving ever closer to Little Fish Lake.

My adaptation to the crowded lower mainland has gone relatively well. I inhabit six hundred square feet of comfortable concrete housing, something I refer to as my cozy catacomb. But with only my skeleton, I assure you. Some days my granddaughter is over after school. I see her five days a week and enjoy her company. To help pay the bills I’ve been working as a companion for an eighty-two year old gent and get along well with him. The daily demands of life keep distracting me from my writing and planning though I greatly enjoy everyday. Arthur, my charge, put it best when he said “too bad we have to get old.” Acting and feeling young helps but occasionally some part of my sixty-four year old body reminds me to grab the couch for a while. I listened to my body and am glad that I hiked and climbed the area around Little Fish when I did.