Almost Two Years Since Last Journal

In my last journal from 2013 I wrote about losing a job, being evicted from an apartment, and not knowing how I would get by or even survive. I am still alive. Josh and I had to live with his parents for almost a year, which was very difficult. Thankfully we moved into an apartment about six or seven months ago. My job title has been screen printer for over a year. Printing T-shirts is not nearly as easy as people may think. Hockey jerseys are even worse. I usually work six days a week. This does not leave me much time for art creation, but my job does keep a roof over my head and a little food in my stomach. I also keep my husband, a cat, and a dog fed. 

Almost eight months ago we were devastated by our dog Griffin dying. He was eleven years old. We moved into that new apartment without a companion. It didn't take us long to decide that we wanted to adopt a cat. We needed a companion, but it was too soon for the commitment and time needed to raise a puppy. A cat is more independent. Jasper has been with us for six months already, and we could not ask for a more wonderful cat. He is very intelligent, and always comes when he hears his name. He is acrobatic, loves to jump, run, and play, and is very entertaining. 

I did mention a dog too. After eight months, every day without a dog was agonizing. Griffin was still deeply missed, but at some point to continue healing from the loss of a dog, the heart and soul need to open back up and allow another dog's love in to begin filling the emptiness. A local rescue works hard to save dogs and puppies who do not receive the best care on remote northern reserves for Native Americans. Sabre and her litter mates were essentially saved from freezing to death this winter. We adopted her at about eight weeks old. She is about ten weeks old now, and she is an extremely smart husky shepherd cross! Josh and I house trained her in just a couple weeks. She knows sit, and loves to give high fives. She helps make every day worth living. 

When I have a little extra money, I also take fencing lessons a few times each month. I'm training with the German longsword, a double-edged blade used with both hands. Sword fighting is not all brutal bashing and slashing away with strength alone. Sword fighting takes technique, precision, and skill.

My mind and body are both much stronger thanks to fencing. I am happier and healthier these days, though there is always room for improvement. I still need to focus on make more time for art, but that is beginning to happen too. I've already created one piece this year with plans in the making for a couple paintings commissioned by a friend. 

Thanks for reading, and I hope to have more art created soon. 

Wolf Daughter