Posted by Chris: This week’s Weekly Geek is inspired by Dewey’s Knit-a-Long, a mini challenge of Dewey’s Reading Challenge. Dewey had other passions besides reading and blogging. Knitting was one of them. This made me think, what are the Weekly Geek’s other passions?
So this week it is all about sharing other passions and interests…
Animals
All Photos are clickable to enlarge
Anyone who visits my blog knows immediately how important animals are in my life. I have a dedicated page for my fur children with sub-pages for Caribou (which I recently updated), Argus, and a piece I wrote about the journey through my life with animals. I also have a category titled “animals” here on my blog with dozens of vignettes about the wonderful animals who have passed through my life and left their mark. For each decade of my life, I can remember the animals who have shared it with me: dogs, cats, hamsters, guinea pigs, rats, fish, horses. I spent several years, at one point, volunteering as a foster mother for German Shepherd Rescue of Northern California. Rescue organizations are always seeking volunteers…and my time helping to save these magnificent creatures was rewarding.
My work in Search and Rescue is not a secret here – both Caribou and Argus certified as search and rescue dogs with CARDA – a statewide organization.
I have also managed to find a way to incorporate animals into my profession as a physical therapist. Triple Creek Ranch Inc. helps children and adults with disability by using horseback riding. Therapists use the horse as a movement tool to deliver Hippotherapy – a specialized therapy which helps people work on strength, balance, coordination, motor planning, posture and a vast amount of other skills.
I cannot imagine my life without animals. I was completely devastated January 29th when I had to say goodbye to my loyal and noble german shepherd Caribou. The house is a bit empty without her boundless energy and presence…and poor Argus seems to have lost his direction (Caribou was the “Queen” and always told him what to do and when). But I would not trade the years of companionship and love Caribou brought to our lives…and she will live on forever in our hearts.
Cooking
I credit my older sister Paula for my love of cooking. She is a fabulous cook who rarely relies on recipes, but can scrape together amazing dishes from whatever happens to be on hand in her cupboards or refrigerator. At one time I subscribed to Gourmet Magazine (where I discovered not only the ease of cooking gourmet food, but also the wonderful columns written by Laurie Colwin). I am completely addicted to buying cookbooks and when we remodeled our home a couple of years ago I made sure to put in shelving in the kitchen where I could store my collection. Recently I have discovered the absolute joy of making soups from scratch. My favorite kitchen appliances are my slow cooker, my bread machine, and my immersion blender. Just this week I got my first installment of my subscription to Fine Cooking Magazine.
Writing
I have been a writer for as long as I can remember. Writing is a way to voice my inner thoughts, to work through problems and grief, and to give life to the characters who speak to me in my imagination. My first published work appeared on The Piker Press – a literary ezine where I met other writers who encouraged me. My book reviews appear there on a weekly basis, but I also have several short stories as well as non fiction work archived there. My blog evolved as a way to share my writing with others…and then grew to become mostly a literary blog where I could share my passion for books. I have participated in several NanoWrimo events and have written four novels in rough draft form. My goal in 2009 is to take at least one of those and edit and rework it into a finished story.
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I greatly enjoyed visiting other Weekly Geeks for this week.
I especially enjoyed reading about Lynda’s beautiful dogs Spike and Amy and could sympathize about her loss of Freddy not too long ago.
Michelle at Master Musings by Michelle shares my love of cooking (I also LOVE Food and Wine Magazine!) as does Jackie of Literary Escapism.
I loved browsing the gorgeous artwork on Claire’s post.
To read more about the passions of other readers, visit this week’s Weekly Geek post and click on the Mr. Linky links.
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I loved reading this post and seeing the pictures of your fur friends. I hope each day is getting a little easier on you after your recent loss of a loyal friend.
I so sorry to hear about Caribou. I love reading your WG about your animals.
This is the second time today you’ve made me cry! I love your post and it’s a fabulous thing to be so passionate about animals that you incorporate them into the well being of your patients. Great job!!
Thanks for sharing your passions with us. We have two in common…the love of animals and writing…not to mention reading I’m sure.
Cooking is a learning experience for me that I enjoy as well, though I am not adept at it. I also hate to cleanup…
I love my immersion blender too!
You are just so cool with the animal related stuff you’ve been involved with over the years! I donate to several animal related charities, and one of my big dreams is to open a no kill shelter for cats and dogs. Would you like to be my partner? Now I’m going to go read your “Journey…” post. Woot!
Your post was brilliant!! I love your passion for animals and how you’ve been able to take that passion and use it to help others!! The horse therapy sounds amazing. I would love to be able to cook without a guide too and for someone who doesn’t cook very well I totally love to look at cookbooks! Your writing is awesome….now I need to go check out your links!
Thanks for mentioning my dogs – I love seeing photographs and reading about other people’s pets. Your photographs are wonderful.
I’m not a great cook – but I enjoy making soups.
I’m trying to experiment with writing – so far only scribbles – I doubt if I have much talent in that area and so admire people who do. ;0)
Diane: Thank you…I have my moments where I feel such grief, and then others where I smile at the memories of my girl. It is a process, I know, and it has helped me immensely to know how many people are keeping me in their thoughts.
Chris: Thanks – it has been a rough few days…but I would never have wished to not have my girl in my life – she brought me amazing joy.
Kristina: Oh, I am sorry I made you cry! But that just shows how much heart you have for animals too. Glad you enjoyed the post.
Serena: I hate the clean up as well…but I try to do it as I go along. To me the creative part of cooking is what I enjoy the most!
Eva: Is that not the best tool out there!?!?! I have no idea how I made soups and salad dressings before I got one.
Chartroose: Aw, thanks
I love seeing no-kill shelters popping up more and more…it makes me so sad to think so many animals are dying every year 
Staci: Thank you! You are too kind!
I love animals, too! I love that you share about how wonderful they are and how much they are to be respected.
I think it is wonderful that you have managed to take your passion for animals into your work life. It is so good loving what you do. Thanks for an inspiring post.
I love seeing pistures of all your animal friends. I have found that my love of animals is not specific. I tend to like them all, but am particularly fond of my cats, of course.
Animals, cooking, writing and music seem so obvious to me that I don’t now how I left them off my list.
What a wonderful post Wendy! It really allows your readers know more about you. When I get a chance I am going to The Piker Press to check out some of your other writing.
This is a good time for you to enjoy your passions. They can help ease that empty space. I’m thinking of you! Hugs!
I’m so sorry for your loss of Caribou. (Hugs)
May your memories of Caribou bring you nothing but joy and happiness in the days and years to come.
Amy: Animals are such wonderful blessings from God – I cannot imagine there are people out there who don’t love them as we do.
Gavin: Thanks for stopping by – I am glad my post inspired you. And yes, it is wonderful I get to incorporate my passion for animals into my work!
Nicole: I love all animals too (except for maybe skunks since they have more than once ruined my day by spraying my dogs!). I love my kitties as well – they are so sweet.
Teddy: Thank you! I agree that focusing on our passions can help ease the pain of loss. Thanks for thinking of me – it helps! *hugs back*
Carrie: Thank you *hugs*
Marcia: Thank you so much – I know they will.