We're to the time of year when the programming of the thermostat kicks in and the house has cooled enough overnight that it warms up at about the time I used to get up when I was going to work. I never reprogrammed it, and now it has been helpful for these few mornings when I'm getting up early to go feed a friend's cats. I find the covers too much and wake up kicking them off and get up. (BTW: my friend lives alone and is careful about self-isolating because she leaves to visit her elderly parents. I wear the mask the entire time I'm in her house, to protect both of us.) Since the heat is now coming on it also reminds me that it's time to get out another blanket. I have a thermal blanket and a quilt on the bed now, with a knit lap throw over the bottom half of the bed. I can go with these layers except that they slide around. Better to put on another blanket. If it gets really cold, then I swap out for the down comforter.

Last night I cleaned up the kitchen and ran the dishwasher at bedtime. I am reminded of my next door neighbor, who moved a couple of years ago. I would visit (as in drop in, sometimes unannounced) and the house was always spotless. It occurs to me that it is probably just as easy to keep a house clean by putting things away as you use them as it is to let stuff pile up and clean every so often. Discuss.