This morning when I started the car the light digital number that indicates the temperature outside said 7; I did not expect this. Or maybe it said 4 – cold can have an effect on the brain and short-term memory. The mind chanting ooh, it’s cold, ooh it’s cold, ooh, it’s cold, ooh, it’s cold sort of sops up all the short-term memory cells for those moments.

Sydney and I waited in the cold car in the cold driveway for Summer to come out and then we dropped her off at school and then we went to the fairgrounds, although it the back of my mind I was thinking, “Ooh, it’s cold.” I thought Sydney should just be out for just a short spell at the fairgrounds and when I opened the door and he got out, he stopped in his tracks. Then, he took off on an exploration. On impulse I took a pictures of the cold morning and the exhaust documenting it and then I got back in the car and realized I had left the door open while I was outside.

Cold morning.

Cold in the rear.

Stupid.

I suddenly realized I couldn’t see Sydney anywhere; I panicked, thinking he might have a heart attack in the cold. I got out again and scanned the area and, then, there he was, trotting along. I honked the horn to remind the cold dog the car was waiting, but he still had things to sniff . . . and mark. Finally, finally, he came up to the car and got in the back door I was holding open for him. Then I turned and looked and saw that once again I had left the front door open.

The folks at the Peanut Butter Cafe & Roadhouse are shaking their heads at me and making me stay away from the firestove so I won’t soak up all the heat. They believe it will teach me a lesson. Fortunately, Foo tossed me a bar towel with which to warm my feet. She has a soft heart, dontcha know.