All of the sudden, it became winter. The air stings my face when I run, the Trash cat gets put inside during the early evenings. I'm sure those who love the cold are feeling pleased and maybe happy, but to me, it feels like my world is smaller, more limited. I want to sit on the porch, or prowl around my garden. It's not that I can't do these things, it's just that they take so much more energy and preparation. Last night, at friend's party, I crouched in my big jacket feeding small sticks to a bright green fire. It was good up until I realized I was cold in that way that goes as deep as your bones. I was also just tired, you know?

The cabin last weekend with friends was great, of course. Hard to complain about a hot tub in the middle of nowhere. It was a portable one my friend brought, so it required lugging so many buckets of water up from the pump. It made me glad that I wasn't really the old timey woman I enjoy pretending myself as out there when I'm lighting the stove. Afterward, my chest and arms hurt, so the hot water was welcome. There were deer all around - moving seen and unseen through the woods. 

Today, I have to drive out of town briefly to feed a friend's cat, then it will be the farmer's market and some time downtown. I have the heat absolutely cranking. I wish I could get outside tomorrow and wonder if I can drag my friends to the villa. This week was another shitstorm at work, and I'm hoping that the next week will be easier with the holidays and everything. I also hope I'll have a chance to write more.