WinterRye of Bluster

Returned a couple of hours ago from the retreat. I had a pretty good time in between the existential dread and the bad sleeping. I had what looked like a very nice, comfortable bed in a quiet room. And yet, I just couldn't stay peacefully unconscious. Perhaps it's just not being at home. Travel gets more difficult. I took my boots along so I could walk down the road and see my big lake in its dress of winter fury. It was a gorgeous color, a flinty opaque greenish turquoise mottled with ice and whitecaps, rimmed with ice ridges. But holy smokes, it was FREEZING out there. Later in the day, one of the ladies figured out how to get past the security gate, and we all took a ride down there in her car. STILL BLOODY FREEZING, Strawberry Star gave me a ride to and from the event, and it was so much more pleasant than having to schlep over there by myself.

This also gave the Sparrowhawk a chance to have the car and run various errands, as well as attending the pre-funeral visitation for the wife of a friend of ours. He had forgotten that the friend was a high school swim coach for over forty years. The entire town came to pay their respects, and the line was miles long. Fortunately, some of the other DBs were there as well to keep him company, and keep his place for him when he had to sit down for a bit. I can't wait to sleep in my own bed tonight.