Month: December 2025

Looking Back on 2025: The Aurora Borealis

11Nov2025 Aurora borealis view off of our back deck via iPhone camera on night settings.

Looking back on 2025, the one post I wished I had included that I missed publishing when it happened was the aurora borealis. It was on my bucket list and a total surprise that it happened as far south as Wyoming. We saw weather updates that it might happen, but part of me didn’t think it actually would.

11Nov2025 Aurora borealis view off of our back deck via iPhone camera on night settings.

Cameras using nighttime settings seems to be able to capture more vivid coloration and contrast of the borealis than the human eye can. These pictures have not been purposefully edited to make them more vivid, but those night settings did make them more vibrant.

In case you’re curious, this short video is what the northern lights looked like with my normal camera’s video settings and what my eyes saw:

11Nov2025 Video of naked eye view of the aurora borealis from our back deck in Cheyenne, WY

I never really felt or believed that any of my bucket list items would come true. (It’s a super short list presently and remaining opportunities are pretty out there). But as I stood there that night, I was filled with so much satisfying peace that if I don’t achieve any others in the coming years, I was blessed with this special one.

I saw the aurora borealis at least once. And it was everything I hoped it would be. Hopefully, I’ll get to see it again someday.

December and Dusted

My trusty Christmas tree that I love because it looks like it came right out of the woods

December has left me done and dusted and the white flag is flying.

Everyone feels the stresses and fatigue of the traditional holidays in different ways. I doubt anyone sails easily through the end of year weeks seamlessly and peaceful. But rather than fight the hustle, or sacrifice myself on the alter of holiday martyrdom, I chose to just not try to win it all this year. I chose a smaller frame that would hold the vision of this year’s December, but it was a frame I could manage.

Our tree unfluffed and with the top still tilted after being retrieved from the storage box.

Choosing to not pull out all the decorations, to let our flocked tree shine as itself without ornaments, and to go with just our stockings at first felt like laziness. Then I considered how well I would have gotten on with the lack of sleep and job fatigue if I had tried to do it all, and I know it was the right way to go this year.

Our stockings. The gifts and juice below already staged to take to another family event.

Admittedly, this is a luxury when you do not have children. There is a heavier squat rack to get under when you are a parent during the holidays. Less was more and it helped as I stretched to cover needs at work and travel for family. It also made me feel better about being able to reorganize next for a fresh start into 2026.

This gift from my husband’s employers was all that made it onto the tree, after the fact.

In closing, the best gift we received this year was of course, Fury herself. The other day we looked down and there she was, folded up into the tissue paper she loves so much, as if she had tried to wrap herself up. It still brings a sweet smile to my heart each time I look at her here.

Hi Mom! I love the way tissue paper feels on the toe beans!

I hope everyone out there had the holiday they wanted. And if you found more challenge than celebration, I wish you rest and peace soon as we are nearly there to the end of the year. Hang in there friend!

Fury’s First Year in Photos (2018)

One of my most precious photos of Fury just after her adoption.
Finding a cozy spot in the cat dad’s duty belt.
Healing from a first injury.
Exploring one of many toys to come – a scratch wave.
Bandaged after the first major injury – now we knew we were dealing with something unusual.
Trying out a new type of safety collar. It was a hard no – but those eyes!
Absorbing the warmth from the dryer door as I folded laundry.
A favorite past time exploring and hiding in luggage pieces.
There is nothing cozy about SWAT gear – but Fury always curled up next to duty gear.
Trying out a new safety suit and LOVING a new toy.
Fury just being her cute self.
Fury being even more cute. And ready for action!
Enjoying cuddle time but nothing gets by Fury, even if its behind us.