1. Morning walks. I only have three pictures, because it snowed this week and the only walk I went on was dark, cold, and slippery. There wasn’t much to see or take pictures of and I was too busy keeping my “eyes on the road.”2. Snow. We got 16 inches at our house, and were so happy to see it because the fires were bad, We’d had multiple days of wind and the Troublesome Fire (one of four fires burning here) was headed straight into Estes Park but the snow slowed things down. 3. The final days of fall. Fall is my favorite time of year in Colorado, even though this year it didn’t last as long and we couldn’t go hiking because of the fires. We spent the day before the storm raking leaves and washing ash off the cars. I also gathered up all Ringo’s toys from the yard, washed and mended them, after which I temporarily changed the “no toys in the house” rule to “no toys outside.”

The squirrels get so fat off our pumpkins

4. Practice. I don’t know about you, kind and gentle reader, but I have been ramped up this week, anxious and tense, waiting for the election. I’m doing everything I can to keep it together, and that means practicing like my hair is on fire.5. My tiny family. Sam has been gone five months now, and I still miss him so much. For now, we are enjoying giving every bit of attention and all the treats to Ringo and he seems to be okay with that. We’ll get another dog eventually, but for now this is enough. Eric is back in his office a few days a week, so I get Ringo all to myself and kitchen counter love notes. I especially like winter because Ringo and Eric get more cuddly. Bonus joy: two hours in the pool, sitting in the sauna, a big glass of cold clean water, clementines, funeral casserole, onion buns, Fritos (my go-to pandemic snack seems to be chips), good TV, good podcasts, good music, making myself a new playlist on Spotify (I called it go ahead and cry), good books, another baby on the way, new windshield wipers for my car, payday, getting all the laundry done and put away, clean sheets (I forgot how soft our winter sheets were), Wild Writing, hanging out and writing with Mikalina, texting with my mom and brother, catching up with Carrie, snow spikes for my walking shoes, yoga with Jamie, a snow day with Eric, massage, reading in bed at night while Eric and Ringo sleep.