Beaver:

The vole was out from under the stove briefly today. I have received no assurance that it cannot get in through the hole for the propane line. The utility room seems to be closed tightly now - almost? Google did say they only live 3-6 months. Great! Then I may have a dead vole in the house. OR, it may go back outside if we get warm weather?

R is assuring me he will finish the water before he leaves; he expects to leave for Montreal tomorrow. I assured him it would be OK to only have cold water again and forget installing the washing machine. We'll see. I can continue to use it in the K. It was not the water pressure that made it take so long to fill; the water was not totally turned on under the sink.

There may be a very fine line between "thorough" or "perfectionist", and OCD. He is clearly enjoying the process in spite of pressure to get back to the city.

Meanwhile, I cook meals, delete emails and write a few, do internet, read, and brought in lots of wood today. The temperature is dropping like a rock; expecting -20C tonight. It is already down to 11F/-11C and I can feel it coming through the walls. Keeping the fire hot without overheating the chimney has me bouncing up and down. Finally got it through my thick skull that the stove door needs a new gasket but I will need a warm spell to let the stove go out so I can replace that.

I vacuumed this morning because it was unbearable; it is now unbearable again - sawdust everywhere and I am wearing protective mask most of the day. And the air cleaner running.

Actually saw a bit of blue sky before the sun set!!