Karen brought more of Mom's handiwork back with her from Dad's and suggested I choose what I'd like to keep. I had long loved the heart-appliquéd wall hanging, which I seem to recall she made for Dad, but somebody remembered and kept it for me after he and Grace moved into their new place. The colours in the cloth at the bottom are irresistible; it and the teacups below will be used on the kitchen table, and the hearts will be tacked up on a wall.

everett said “do you know what these dog biscuits taste like, mom?”
no. must taste good though, the dogs sure love them.
“do you want to know?”
not really, but okay, yes. what?
“your bread. they taste the closest thing to your bread that i’ve tasted."

i didn't take that as a compliment. he added
"they’re good!”
but even so ... i'm still chewing on that one.

From a distance yesterday while out walking I saw a Canada goose flying over the field. I listened to it squawk for quite a while; it didn't sound like any goose I've ever heard. Today on the way to town Everett and I saw a half-dozen of them sitting in a stubblefield still mostly covered with snow. Woo hoo! It won't be long till the sky will be full of wide swaths of honking geese and I will be standing out there with my head bent back, in awe.