We needed wood so I took Everett to the new house around 5 o'clock and got him to load up Scott's truck with enough for a couple days. Normally I help but my upper right arm has been bothering me since September. Even hanging up winter coats in the closet, they seem inordinately heavy. Maybe I need to start lifting weights. At first I parked on the road (see above) at the end of the driveway for fear of getting stuck, as the yard has begun to blow in. But after walking as far as the wood shed I realized it was safe to drive in.

My big plans for the day were to go for a walk with the dogs and to make whipped shortbread. I managed the walk, but not the cookies. What a gorgeous day; if winter could always be like this, no one would ever complain. Only about 10C below, no wind, sun shining; what's not to love. I, of course, wear ski pants once the snow's here so I am usually warm outside. You people who complain about winter and don't wear ski pants shall get no sympathy from me. They are The Answer.

Everett stayed over there to play games on his computer and I came home to get supper on the go. Logical as ever, I carried in all the wood, toted it downstairs, and stacked it. So much for favouring the arm.

I'd put a chicken in the oven around 3 and now, after prepping the veggies and setting the table, I poured a glass of wine and sat down here at my desk to see if a little work might get done. I include this photo of my glass of wine just to demonstrate what a lightweight I have become. There's my wine, as you can see; by the time I'd drunk just enough to lower the level to what you see below, I was well on my way to making a sake post.

~ the old Mac is still on the desk behind the new; no place to put the thing, since the basement flooded in April ~

A sake post is what we call it on my favourite discussion list when one of us has enough to drink that we become ... shall I say ... embarrassingly forthcoming.

Now that we've finished eating, I've poured myself a second small glass but sorry folks, no sake post tonight.

Everett is downstairs quizzing Scott about where he can set up the Christmas tree. The kid is only going to be here four more days but he doesn't care; it's the decorating of the tree that he enjoys. Please lord let this continue forevermore. He also takes the thing down when the time comes, and lovingly packs away all the decorations. I have the best kids.

Scott has spent a second day on the couch in front of the TV, with a burning (?) sinus and, whenever he gets up, a pounding headache.

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