It's one of those thankfully rare, raw weather days. The kind of day that tells you it's best to remain at home. Heavy rain from morning to night. A few degrees cooler and we'd have a bouffant white comforter over the landscape. But no, below freezing temperatures give us rain, and a lot of it. We said goodbye to our accumulated snow and ice a week ago. Now the trails in the ravine are certain to be thick in mush. 

That's a conjecture born of long familiarity with the forest in all seasons and all conditions. Could be if the rain had let up a bit we'd have ventured out with Jackie and Jillie, but it did not. And so we did not. Not that they particularly care, as long as their vegetable salad isn't forgotten. They had it earlier than usual this afternoon. Then back to their snooze again.

The house is dark and has been from the earliest hours today. The kind of atmosphere that makes you feel like staying in bed and snuggling up for the duration. But there is always something that needs to be done, and Irving had a morning appointment to take the car in for winter-driving rustproofing. It took him a month to make the appointment; this is the time of year those kind of services are swamped with calls.

While  he was out, waiting for the job to be completed, he crossed the street to one of the area big box stores. Where he bought a set of fleecy sheets for our bed, to help keep us warm this winter. He also had a shopping bag full of sweaters; crew neck, cowl neck, placket, and turtle neck. For me. Size small that always looks kind of big. But they're attractive, soft and comfortable looking, and he always thinks of me.

After I cleaned up the kitchen I tackled the bathrooms for their twice-weekly deep cleaning. And since it was obvious we weren't going anywhere for a good long hike with Jackie and Jillie, I thought it was the perfect time to wash the basement floors. That isn't done very often, and my right knee is now completely healed from that last fall I had.

We're early settling down to relax, Irving and me, and that pleases Jackie and Jillie immensely. They relax right along with and alongside us. Before us, a blazing fireplace. We'll have a good long walk with the puppies tomorrow.