New Year's Eve

I'm spending New Year's Eve reading Wendell Berry. What better way to start a new year. Olivia is asleep upstairs. Kristin, Elizabeth and Leah are probably asleep in Georgetown. I wish they were all here.

Children in the house

Both of our children are sleeping in the house tonight. All four of our granddaughters are also asleep here. John Wayne is sleeping. I'm awake. The only sound is the soft whir of the computer and occasionally I can hear ice hitting the windows. If I turn on the flood light at the back of the house I can see the snow blowing. The cars are covered. For some reason I'm warmer tonight than usual. My foot doesn't hurt as bad and my chest doesn't feel so heavy. Maybe it's because the children are here. For supper we had fried potatoes, pinto beans, and cornbread. Mama is sleeping a short way up the street and down the road. Or she was sleeping, maybe she isn't now. We used to all sleep at her house, now we sleep here. I don't want to live to be old. Christmas has crept up on me, I knew it was coming but I couldn't get ready. It will come and go whether I'm ready or not. John Michael, Kristin and I will try and go shopping tomorrow. I may have to shop for boots before anything else. The wind has whipped up and I can hear the flag flapping on the porch. I have to sleep. But also need to stay awake to keep the creepies away. Susan bought all the girls gum boots to wear in the snow. The babies are so funny. We can't call them babies much longer. Kristin and Elizabeth wear adult size boots!

I'm sleepy now, hopefully will still be sleepy when I go to bed. Quilts keep us all warm tonight and help us remember.