January 24, 2023

Good morning!

It’s Tuesday. A heavy snow fell all day yesterday, occasionally turning to sleet and then rain, with the end result being that our whole world is now sealed in a thick layer of frozen concrete.

While we wait for the sun to come out and work its magic, I thought I’d introduce you to the only bear not hibernating at the moment. He lives on the low table beside my bed. He enjoys long strolls back and forth, watching cars pass outside, and occasionally dipping into the books I keep stacked just out of view. He normally prefers Inspector Maigret mysteries, but this morning he asked if I might bring him a picture book about someplace warm. I’ll be heading to the library just as soon as the car melts.

“In popular houses where visitors like to go again and again, there is always a happy combination of some attention on the part of the hostess and the perfect freedom of the guests to occupy their time as they choose.”

—Emily Post

Onwards,

Clara