I am here, warm and snug, looking out at a night that is not at all dark because the ground and most other horizontal and somewhat horizontal surfaces are white. The sky is also white. It is also cold, soda pop-freezing cold, so we have had to take measures. There are always some measures to be taken: When we lived in Palatine, Illinois we would leave the cabinet doors under the sink open to prevent the pipes from freezing. Just that one little thing – so important.

That kitchen sink wall faced east and was elevated and big plate glass sliding doors were next to the sink.  Those glass doors, which opened onto a deck, have gone down in infamy as the site of the huge raccoon sighting during one of WGN’s late shows. So long ago, so well-remembered.

I think the raccoon memory was pushed out of its cubbyhole because I saw a headline today about a snake living in a sofa. I’m really glad I reminded myself about that this late in the day and as close to bedtime as it is. What dreams may come? Have you ever thought that  one  letter altered to another makes the difference between Shakespeare and snakespeare? Probably not, but there it is, just a little musing that breached the defenses of my mind.

I have earphones in (my ears) and am listening to Count Your Blessings because I am weaning myself off of Christmas songs, but am not quite ready to really rock and roll, so to speak.

The roads are slick and while I was stopped at an intersection, the car 90 degrees to my right was spinning its front wheels, trying hard to get a grip and go. Just as the light turned green for me, I saw the car get some purchase and nodded as the driver guided his now barely-moving car in front of me. It was the least I could have done . . . and probably in my own best interest. It’s a small town, after all.

Coming out of the Wal-Mart parking lot onto the curving drive that borders the retaining pond/ditch, I noticed the plowing people had left mounds between the edge of the road and the ditch and probably saved quite a few people grief.

It was a balancing act today with the slick roads: I made certain I had no holes in my underwear, but did wear the robin’s egg blue fur-lined trapper cap, which isn’t the most flattering head topping I have, but it is warm – especially with the ear flaps down and snapped.

I am just rambling here and suppose I will reach out and grab my Kindle and settle down to some good read. That reminds me that yesterday’s Daily Deal was a choice of 20 romance stories – nothing like starting the New Year with a shudder. Or maybe it was the day before and maybe yesterday was 20 inspiring stories; anyway, you can tell it was unsettling.

But I am supposed to be settling . . . so here I go.