Bare essentials

As we prepare for the floor refinishing, the house is feeling a bit barren. The furniture is still here, but the books and vases, candles and photos have been packed away. Most of the art is already gone, too. A polar vortex has swept in from the north bringing subzero temperatures, and the house feels comfortless at a time when the winter is hard upon us. We’ve had worse, but it’s dangerously cold if you hang outside for any length of time, and don’t think the animals don’t feel it.

And of course, we cleaned the library fireplace so the dust couldn’t damage the wet finish coat, so I have no morning fire.

Nevertheless, we are safe and warm. The kitchen and family room and master bedroom are cozy and intact. We have hot coffee and plenty to eat, and the dogs, after a hearty breakfast, are entertaining themselves by barking madly at the deer who have come in the dark to eat the bird food. I feel sorry for the creatures in the cold, and hope they find what they need foraging here. I have a forgotten squash in the refrigerator, and will throw the pieces out for the squirrels. The local homeless shelters will be needing extra help, too.

Every day is a work day for me, and writing is the rhythm of my days. I feel fortunate to have work I love, my family around me, and a warm safe place in this bitter weather.

Wherever you are, I hope you, too, have enough to be grateful for.

***

It’s not just cold. It’s crazy out there. But these past few days have made it clear that the people who read these posts are an enclave from the mad world. This is a polite and kind community of animal lovers and readers of my novels, who may or may not agree on everything, but manage to be civil anyway. There’s a genuine sense of mutual respect and decency here that feels like a cool drink on a hot day. And you don’t have to subscribe to read or comment.

But if you are interested, there are other ways you can help support my work: You can become a paid subscriber (see below), and you can also purchase my books—even pre-order the new novel, Throwing Bears for George—at your favorite bookseller. Some of my favorite shops are Honest Dog Books, Boswell Book Company, Mystery to Me Books, Books and Company, Barbara’s Bookstores, Barnes & Noble, Target, and, of course, here. My illustrated children’s book, My Dog Pete is available only here. Thank you!

If you can’t spend the money right now, look for my books in the library—please ask for them if you can’t find them—and stick around anyway. Because you don’t have to pay to read or participate.

On the other hand, paid subscribers will have access to previews of the new novel, coming soon eventually.

So there’s that.

JFR

And now for your gratuitous dog photos, down the Polar Vortex of memory lane:

Back in 2019 we had a severe polar vortex, with temperatures at minus 25F, and wind chills close to fifty below. I was seriously concerned about frostbite and the dogs, particularly about their delicate ears, and had to figure out how to protect them. I thought maybe children’s down vests would help, and made an expedition to the local discount department stores. Since it was January in Wisconsin, however, there were no winter clothes to be found, but plenty of…swimsuits. I improvised with children’s hoodies underneath the dog coats, and even tried duct taping socks to the dogs’ feet. This was not a popular idea, and the socks lasted mere minutes in the snow. Moses, Auggie, and Pete were all good sports, however. And true to form, all Auggie cared about was his green ball.