Blue sky, sunny day, cold but not windy — at least, here in the yard surrounded by bare-branched poplars and maples. Dave has just picked up the boys and headed for my home town, where he’ll pick up a few groceries and carry on out to Jill’s place.

They will probably visit Grandma this weekend. The boys and I went last Sunday. The photo above shows Barney (standing on a stool, thinking he's funny with the bowls on his chest) and Grandma getting ice cream for us in her kitchen.

I hope Dave enjoys this change — having my sister’s house to himself to relax with the boys. He had to drive extra hours to get here, but it will save him several hundred dollars. Maybe he’ll think it’s worth it, and do it again if I can arrange for another place for him to stay. My relatives invite him, of course, but I imagine he’d like some privacy with the kids. And the new owner of the cabin we sold this summer might be willing to rent it out at a reasonable rate. Anything would be better than being a hotel-dad once a month, wouldn’t it? I guess he’ll tell me.

The boys are excited. They can show their dad their schools and various other places of interest.

I am going to put on my mink coat and go to town for groceries.