In Stratford, Ontario, we are already nigh on knee-deep in snow. It's been years since I saw so much snow this early in the year.

Our cats spend most of the winter alternating between the sofa and heat vents in the floor, especially the one under the sitting-room window where I park a cat cushion. The bedroom is a bit parky for their taste, unless we are in it, of course. The comfy chair appeals to them when they both get the urge at the same time and curl up together, or when one of us is already sitting in it.

This year we have a humidifier, so their fur and skin are not drying out as they did last year (come to think of it, neither are mine). On the other hand, the windows get steamed up, which rather impairs their bird-watching opportunities.

It will be a long haul to Spring.