Leithe, Scott's aunt (sorry Leithe, this photo doesn't do you justice); Ann and her daughter Carla, our hosts; and Pat, my mother-in-law

The temperature is supposed to dip down to 40 below, tonight, with the wind chill. I have been home for an hour but will have to venture out tomorrow at noon. It's Christmas Dinner at the seniors' lodge and my two sons are Grandma's special guests.

Scott dropped off some supplies with her today and found her with her winter coat on, about to go out for a walk. He told her not to go anywhere. She seemed to think she didn't live at the lodge, so he tried to find someone to keep an eye on her and make sure she stayed in, but had no luck. Just getting over strep throat himself, he didn't feel too good about wandering around a seniors' residence and spreading his germs, so came home. I was unable to reach any of the home care aides who are there during the day, but did alert the kitchen staff, who weren't too concerned because "Your grandmother is right here in the kitchen watching us, and she doesn't have her coat on." I called when I got home and she's safe and sound tonight, in her room getting ready for bed.

The Likeminded Ladies (this is a nickname I came up with shortly after being invited to join the group of friends who meet regularly to dance naked around a bonfire and cast spells)(just kidding, but what was I supposed to tell Scott when he asked what we do together for five or six hours at a time? that we sit and talk and laugh? he'd never believe it)(but please, said he, don't tell me this; i don't want to picture my mother and my aunt that way) gathered for a potluck supper in Kelvington. Not everyone was there but a small bunch of us had a pleasant visit and a delicious meal. Then we headed out on the road, which we bumped down with tires frozen flat on the bottom. Or that's what it felt like anyway.