ISEE,
Yes, the dogs bring me pleasure.

I don't view them as "my dogs." They are living beings who choose to be with me.
Animals are often impeccable. I mean impeccable in the Toltec sense, not the traditional description. Animals are pure and direct.
I didn't mean to give the impression that I believed every human to be repulsive. Far from it.
I know a few good people now. I have known many in the past. I hope to know many more in the future.
BM
Yes, Maine and the area are very nice. I am reclusive by nature, however, and the northeast has too many people for me.
I have lived and worked in Chicago, St. Louis, Kansas City, Nashville, Sacramento, and Anchorage. I enjoy visiting large cities now, but I
need to live in a rural setting.
My anticipation of happiness?
I am changing careers. I was involved in business technology and communications until Y2k and have been working in the Light Construction industry since then.
I don't want to divulge a great deal of personal information about myself. My new career? Well, think along the lines of:
* a consulting engineer
* a product developer
* a technical writer
None of those descriptions provides a singular view of my new career, but I think you understand the direction I am pursuing.
I have had a flexible work schedule in my remodeling business for several years. I need to have the flexibility in my schedule and personal life to work the strange hours my insomnia forces upon me.
I have some good things now. I work 2-3 days per week in construction and the remainder of my time is spent in the woods (I am a blowgun hunter) and in my design studio.
I haven't been on the water in a while, but I am a kayaker.
I have recently begun experimenting with the siesta concept. I take naps and have short sleeping sessions in a hammock.
I seem to be able to rise and function on a few hours sleep much better when suspended than when in bed.
The downside? I like it cold when I sleep-ice cold. My bedroom is unheated and I usually have the window open. I place a mummy style sleeping bag inside a larger bag, bundle up and, eventually, sleep quite deeply.
Waking up, now that is another matter altogether...
...just getting 3-5 hours of sleep per night. That's rough, man.
I can't open the windows in the studio. I have houseplants and such and the studio needs to be at least marginally warm at all times.