Damp

Snowing steadily, hovering at about freezing, a damp-cold still. Keeping the thermostat well up today. Cat had to go out, not for long, I bothered not with the leash, not needed. He let it snow on him, avoided the ground snow, sat on a clear rock in the hedge and watched the droppings from the leaves. Crawled out through, had to put paws in the cold stuff, once out tried to shake his paws while running - slipping crazily.

Neighbor renting her house to a friend, after a month or so of moving out herself. We've tried to keep an eye out, pick up trash. Moby helped by wanting to explore her front yard, imply a presence there. Mail carrier kept leaving the mailbox flap open - with the large, bright yellow VACANT notice visible, we keep putting it back down. She left a thank you note on our door yesterday, with a TJ's gift certificate. We will use some of it as a welcome gift - probably in the form of cookies - for the new renter.

Both of us a bit ill, sore and tired. Tis the season. Unrestful nights, difficult days, viral sniffles. The overwhelming, as the pain woke me through the night, not D's snores and congested breathing.



Dark days, as there always have been, as there always will be. Shattering our illusions of safety. As the acts of kindness and courage shatter our bleak pessimism. It is all of a piece, and we light the tree in the depths of winter.