Quick ten point post, since I can't sleep, anyway:

1. I've been doing better with the stress thing, at least until tonight. This image of a knot of snakes, a hibernaculum (is that snakes or bats?) around my heart comes to mind...tight around my heart, keeping me from breathing. And over the last few weeks the snakes have slowly let go. Tonight they feel tight again, somewhat, but I've felt my spirits rise on the improvement. Two steps forward, one step back...I could live with that.

2. I haven't played hoops for a week due to a foot injury. I'm hoping to play tomorrow, but I may sleep through the alarm if I'm not careful.

3. Cold tonight, post-apocalyptic cold. Near zero cold. When the boys wake tomorrow I will point out that, under the ice and snow, plants are sleeping, and in six months they'll wake and push through the soil. I don't know if people near the equator understand the power that knowledge can give one through difficult nights.

4. T and S have been fascinated with burning sage lately. I didn't pull much off the bushes this year, only four or five bundles, because one bush wasn't particularly strong and I didn't want to abuse the other. I might have more up in a cabinet. Anyway, the boys like lighting strands over the fire and slowly blowing on the smoke. They understand the purpose, the potential for purification, and they sense the liturgical nature of the experience. I hope they remember our lighting sage together for the rest of their lives.

5. Tomorrow will be a very long day...the unholy trinity of strategic planning, a holiday party, and a late afternoon at the office. I'm grinding my teeth. Habits are hard to break, but I'm improving. Begone snakes!

6. Painting or sculpture? That is the question. I will probably suck at both, but I want to try both. I've looked online for supplies.

7. Speaking of artistic expression T and S want guitar lessons. We'll see. Where do you find guitar lessons in the Milwaukee suburbs?

8. I don't think I say enough that my wife is an excellent mother. She'll do anything, dart gun fights, sledding, anything with the kids. She's amazing.

9. I saw "Beefest" a few days back. Stunningly bad movie. I'm disappointed in the Broken Lizard guys...they had so much potential back when "Super Troopers" was released.

10. I've been reading Borges and Simic lately. Borges shines brilliantly. Simic is interesting. More later.