The colder it gets, the more beautiful the landscape becomes. Last night there was a partial eclipse of the moon. Pete ventured out and took it all in. I ventured out once in a while – big regrets. I wish that we’d set up our fire ring and hung out outside. We are night owls, so being up and out at 11 p.m. would not have disrupted our sleep patterns.

In the mornings I check to see how cold it is by putting the flat of my hand on the window. This morning, like previous mornings, I knew that it was below zero out.

I’ve been heading outside with a strong sense of foreboding in the mornings. I most worry about Ranger, the chickens, and Tinni. All seem to be doing just fine, even though now the temps are in the negative double digits.

Alys in her Refrigirware suit

I finally got my winter act together. I wear my Refrigirware suit when I’m outside, and my Steger mukluks. The mukluks are warmest in the dry cold, this as opposed to the wet cold.

Today we went over to our friend Linda Sim’s place and assisted her in fitting an Equimeasure pad for her new gelding, Marley. We did this in her heated garage. He appeared a bit surprised when the garage door went up, but immediately settled down and began eating hay. He did not stop the entire time in which the pad was heated (in the oven) and put in place. I speculated that it must have felt good, to have the warm pad on his back.

Like most Icelandics, he was calm the entire time, even when the garage door was again opened.

Pete and I then went to the Meeting House and we put several boxes of books into the Tundra and then dropped them off in the Turkey Red hallway. The staff will set them on tables tomorrow morning. I will bring another load in dognpony tomorrow morning.

All is now in readiness. Nan picked up the tee shirts and Sheila is bringing shopping bags. She’s also going to hang out at the table entrance. I finished up taking care of what seemed like a bazillion details, such as cutting up the kids’ raffle tickets and making a sign for Vagabond Blues suggesting that readers send a letter/email of support to VCRS, focusing on the positive.

I sensed that tomorrow was going to be a big day when a fellow that I did not know asked me if I was coming to the event tomorrow. This has to mean that others are thinking similarly.

I stocked the main bookcases, all of which were in need of more books. It was by then getting dark, so I hurried over to the Bishop’s Attic Thrift Store and purchased a second goat coat for Ranger. The first one didn’t fit. Well, the second one was also too tight also. So we cut into the cordura (ouch) and made it so it does not pinch his shoulders.

Here's hoping tomorrow goes well.

Next: 321. 11/20/21: Up and Down