Here it goes – the month of February. Now there are other months with 31 days – odd, that those months seem so much longer. This month is short because, otherwise, there would be more suicides – people grown weary of winter.

As I stated before, I understand and support those who take their own lives. This is far better than taking someone else’s life. I fully understand how life can become so overwhelming that it becomes difficult to move, physically and mentally.

Last night I could not sleep and I woke Pete up, which is something that I was not supposed to do. We talked for a long time, mainly about the project.

A shorter month of February will kick me out of the doldrums. In real life there are actual doldrums—ships come upon them and then are unable to move.

It is into the negative numbers, temperature-wise, here. I wore my Refrigerate suit this morning – it was a dog send. I know it’s cold because I feel it in my face. Also, I can’t take off my mittens and touch anything metal, which is something I often do. The feeling in my fingers is akin to having burned them.

It's a real pain getting that suit on and off. And it is heavy and cumbersome. I am not complaining because it does keep me warm.

It was a long workday. Melissa and Alexi showed up, and I told them about the books to Kenya program, which they seemed to have forgotten. I hadn’t seen the pair in three weeks.

What amazed me, more so than in the past, is how happy the two are. I wonder if it’s youth or just their general good natures. We picked up where we left off today – they cleaned books and got books ready to take out – with considerable cheer.

Robert showed up and did the day’s errands, taking books to VCRS, going to U-Haul and bringing back boxes of books, and moving a chair (on wheels) over to the Thrift Store. Scott appeared and gave him an assist.

Brooke Hartman appeared after Melissa and Alexi left – I hailed her when she pulled into the hotel parking lot. I gave her the tour, which now includes the literacy annex. She gave me her train book for the upcoming auction. I’m now just waiting on the Alaska Railroad – I hope they can provide us with a set of raffle tickets. I was told Friday that we’ll see if they will be supportive of our raffle request.

Pete’s now making dinner, a pasta dish. I made noises yesterday and last night about abandoning the BLBP. Pete apparently did not share my sentiments because this morning he came up with a lengthy list of things that need to be done.

Next: 60. 3/1/26: Back in the Zone