I had a couple of titles for today’s dispatch in mind, but they went out of mind as other things superseded my original thoughts. If keeping titles in mind was a priority, I’d carry around a notebook and look at these potential entries later in the day.

I have at times carried a notebook, but inevitably, I lose them. Maybe I could tie one to my belt loop and stick it in my pocket.

Gloves, I lose them too. I should put holes in each one and tie a string to them and then pass the strings through my sleeves.

Keys, wallet, cellphone, say a prayer to the Patron Saint of lost causes and she would snicker and walk away. “Come back,” I would yell, but to no avail.

However, lately I have done well at keeping the above-noted items in sight. I am not deluding myself – tomorrow I could, as I have in the past, again lose all three.

The possible titles are not surfacing, and most likely are not going to surface. I have been less forgetful since getting hearing aids. I was pretending to hear what people were saying before getting these new devices. I am hearing better now, and this is making a difference.

I came home tonight after a somewhat uneventful day to a warm house and shrimp fajitas. How is it that I ended up with a partner who sees it as his obligation to cook? I am not sure that he enjoys cooking, no, like fixing the car or dealing with keeping our alternative energy set up going, it’s simply something he must do. Emotions do not get in his way of what needs to be done.

He is left brain and I am right brain. If there was a continuum we’d be on opposite sides. I don’t question this because it works.

Today, a summation – the Christmas tree is nearly finished. The artist in residence and I worked on it all afternoon. We are happy with it.

One of the volunteers scoffed at it. At first she didn’t think that it was real. Then she pretty much indicated that it is just a spindly spruce tree. Now I have never before had a Christmas tree, and I think I will never have another. I mean, it is strange to cut down a tree, decorate it, and then put it in your house or place of business. But I think this tree is happy having a purpose, which is to hold bookmark ornaments.

Talked with our real estate guru who suggested that we talk with a long time Palmer businessman about a building on Palmer’s main street that’s for sale. I called this fellow – he was, as he has been in the past, rude, simply saying that the building I was interested in, has been sold.

I should have asked him if there were other buildings that might suit our purpose, but his negative attitude was so off putting that I said thank you and ended the conversation. No mo ho ho there.

Next: 317. 11/26/25: Windswept