Beaver:

Snowed a couple inches yesterday but light and easy to remove. Afternoon sun seemed to loosen some of the frozen snow and I was able to clear a good amount of the tarp to get to the next row of wood. this makes me feel less concerned as I brought in a good amount of wood. Today I cleared a bit more ice on walkway to make trip to studio less challenging.

Two potted tomato plants are doing better in the bow window of the studio than they did all summer outside! They are being well watered and fertilized.

R has delayed house purchase to mid January. Conundrum: stay here and keep plants watered; or go back and forth again? Renew books due in Montreal on 18th? Hope R can come here for a few days at Christmas? He needs to be showing house...

Material goods are not the only clutter in our lives! failing to do things in a timely manner, having far too many things to do may be more serious clutter. I have been looking forward to being settled in the "new" house and was hoping to have the plants into their new home before hard winter. Not being able to do so feels like a major clutter; need to change mindset. Hans Selye said, It is not the stress that hurts us; it is how we handle it/respond to it.

OK: I am tired of driving back and forth (that makes three of us!)so I shall stay here. It is less complicated and more energy efficient. And when there is an above freezing day (14th) I may be able to de-clutter the back deck so I can get pottery safely to the kiln room and, hence, de-clutter the studio.

Threw four large bowls this morning in hopes of one for Joanne/pies; I do have a serious problem about not producing as promised. Hope one will be perfect! My first really good day since arrival. It took a toll on shoulder so resting and hoping to go out later to throw promised mugs for Mary. Ah! but she will not get them until January! Oh well. She can sell them in the new year.

R has agreed (today) to try to get here for Christmas as I told him I don't want to make another trip before then; I want to be here for the community Christmas Dinner (24th) to see "Everybody". And a potluck with special folks on 22nd. He just left a voice mail that he made it up a hill in the Laurentians - the scariest hill - in winter - that I have ever experienced; I refuse to go there ever again, in winter! Now, to hear that he made it down safely!!

In the meantime, he is still trying to sell the house in M. And misting the wee orchid I left there for TLC. He will have to bring it here when he comes - our pet orchid! Talk about clutter! I suggested he think of it as a baby raccoon. At least it doesn't climb the bookshelves! Maybe some day it will bloom for us!