Neptune

When did they start naming snowstorms?  

I woke up really early this morning -- before 5 -- and just snuggled under the down comforter for awhile, listening to the storm.  I love how snow muffles normal sounds, how it softens the edges of the world for a little bit.  I got up to watch the sunrise over the bay -- we have a tiny winter water view between two houses when the leaves are off the trees.  But there's no sun today!  So I broke open the bag of Vietnamese coffee beans our God-daughters sent us from their recent trip to Asia, steamed some milk, and nestled into the couch to read All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (which is exquisitely written).  

Today is my day off -- from everything.  After I post this, I am unplugging for the day.  I'm turning the computer and my cell phone off and unplugging the land line.  I need some quiet time.  I'm taking care of our neighbor's four dogs -- 3 Labradors and a slightly spoiled French Bulldog.  I love them, and I don't mind, but that's a lot of dog to shepherd through the snow.  Cairo, who turned 13 on Friday the 13th, is struggling with his allergies and all the salt on the roads and sidewalks and seems to need constant attention.  Pete and I have just spent two weeks housing and helping a friend who needed some TLC, and I've been struggling to design new rug patterns and kits for this year in between preparing for classes.  So I am feeling a bit . . . Stretched?  Scattered?  Saturated?  Whatever the word is, I need some solitude.  So today will be a quiet one, shoveling snow and snuggling on the sofa with my new book and my old dog.

Enjoy your Sunday.