Has December 10th arrived already? I don’t mind. We’ve been water-tortured with cold and snow. In other words, rather than one grand blizzard snow has fallen in two or three inch increments and accumulated to a foot or more. I see a couple temps over the next ten days predicted to hit 30, but nothing higher. Looks like the snow will stick around a while.

I fell asleep on the couch last night before eight. I awoke just before four. Eight hours. I’m going to work out pretty soon, probably while watching Samantha Brown, get ready for work, and leave. These early mornings can be dangerous. Depression can hit, especially in the winter, with little warning. This winter has been better, I think, on that end than virtually every winter in memory. I haven’t become seriously sick, crashed for an entire weekend, etc. Keeping my health would be nice.

Yesterday was low key in a good way. T and I tried to make those fancy mint cookies and failed. The batter wasn’t thick enough. Oh well. We had fun. While the kids attended church (penny sale) I cleaned the house. I finished a bit early, spread the blanket on the floor, and prayed for a few minutes. Prayer is hard work. Within ten minutes I’m exhausted. The prayer helps, though. I find I treat people better and remain more relaxed after I pray. I help the bloodstone T and I bought together while I prayed. When the boys returned I worked out (Samantha Brown, Berlin), watched some of the Pack game, showered, and took T and S to the coffee shop. We had the space to ourselves save for a guy in a wheelchair and his handler. I hope, when I’m old and in a wheelchair, someone cares about me enough to park me next to a fire in a coffee shop. Anyway, T and S were great, as usual. We first sat at the counter, facing the harbor windows, and I felt a great calm watching the birds circle the harbor. Later we moved to the fire-ringing seats. When we returned home I watched more football with S, tracked the football pool, and helped T with a project. N and I played, too. Later we read on the couch. I didn’t have to yell at the kids much. They had a good day.

Ok, if I can survive the marathon week in front of me, I’m in the clear for the semester. It’s all about pacing. I’ll try to reach the office today by seven, if not earlier, so I can leave by noon and work at home for the afternoon. Maybe I’ll pick up the boys from school and take the directly to the library. Hope the week starts well for all of you.