I awoke in the dark. I go to sleep in the dark. I smell the potato leek soup and barley bread we had for dinner, with a faint undertone of anise seed cookies. Michael gently snores by my side.

I cherish the brief periods of sun we have. Relative warmth keeps a hint of green in the fields, intensifying the gold of dry alfalfa and timothy.

I completed my second lap quilt yesterday. Our group of quilters will bring them to the assisted living center in town. A lot of laughter is sewn into these blankets.

We completed another two wall openings. Now we put away the tools. Clean. Bake. Make ready our house and hearts for the joy of sharing time and season with friends and family. Good night.