Late yesterday afternoon I got very bad news about a friend's health, so I'm feeling somewhat blank and stricken this morning. The fact that I seem to be coming down with a cold isn't helping, though I did scribble some decent blurts at my writing group last night, so that's something.

Today I need to get started on a new editing project; I've got a cord of firewood to stack; class and writing and home obligations dangle and sway; but mostly I just feel like putting my head under the covers and waiting for some kind person to bring me tea. That is not going to happen, however, so I will blunder forward.

Meanwhile, Chuck "Mr. Enthusiasm" Van Pelt is bouncing around the house, eyes as big as pennies, making his little conversational chirp noises, occasionally stopping by to lean his cheek against mine, then leaping off again. He woke me at 4 a.m. by way of excessive snuggling. And, yes, he's a dear little good-tempered pest, but losing an hour of sleep was unfortunate.

My friend's bad news is very much darkening the day. But I will go for my walk. I will put clean sheets on the bed. I will make my own cup of tea and I will stand at my desk in my tiny sweet study and listen to the Carolina wren sing in the backyard maples. I will do the work I said I would do.