The big change in our lives was that Misfits Holidays folded. The caravan suddenly needed more TLC than the insurance company were prepared to fund and that, coupled with the increase in site fees meant we would no longer be able to offer it really cheaply and still break even. We have though made some amazing friends and raised many thousands of pounds for various rescues.
Workwise, saw me excited about a few new ventures this year only for each to compound that I really do not like ineptitude, especially when coupled with an arrogance that considers the dictatorship of the working class acceptable. There are still far too many that threat people as mere commodities for their own gain, with no care as to the consequence rendered by their actions. No one should have to pay for the incompetence of others … or be exploited because they are not in a position (financially) to be able to walk away. My heart goes out to the people I have worked with that are still caught in that trap.
Due to my failed exploits into the world of conventional employment my writing events suffered, although I was honoured to open the Federation of Scottish Writers National Poetry Day at the Glasgow Museum of Modern Art by reading some of my own poetry. The weekly writing group I run is still going strong and there are now many irons in the fire for the coming year.
Needless to say, throughout this year there have been too many bereavements of friends, acquaintances, pets and those known through social media connections … and I very much doubt this trend will be any less in the coming year. However, this is inevitably as much a part of life as anything else, but sometimes the sadness of it seems to weigh heavier for longer.
Following the personal losses to the Misfits Gang in 2016 the dog fostering took a bit of a back seat while we enjoyed welcoming our last (planned) forever pup into our lives. Maiz took the house by storm and everyone instantly adored her. However, I did do some fund-raising and eventually got the second Protecting Preloved Border Collies book edited and published. Now back-on-track the year ended with the arrival of a hand-reared 5wk old blind border collie pup to stay as a little house guest.
As to 2018 … there are many plans, many hopes, and many dreams … so bring-it-on!