This morning I cleared out old forgotten things in Dog World in the corner of my den, from the bottom of a couple of bins in the antique trunk where the food lives. Toys, leashes, brushes, and collars, etc. Now that we know both dogs will eat the same food (as long as Pepper's fresh food is in a separate bowl) I have more room in that trunk. The spare food bin holds gear and packed around the bins are bottles of ear cleaner, enzyme cleaner for pee, etc. There were a couple of boxes of these things plus dog shirts and towels (for rainy days) on the bench; I mopped under the bench and moved the boxes to the low shelf under the library table nearby. I'll set the now-clear bench so people can sit on it next to the door, but for now, gifts can sit on it.

Several collars from past dogs were soaked in soapy water and are drying and can be reused as needed. As objects related to beloved pets the sting of loss has dissipated over time and now they're a gift to the current pack. I also have a few blinking colored lights for collars (when walking in the evening) and will refresh all of the batteries. I even tried on the dog saddlebags that my first two dogs used; remarkably they fit these two, though what I would put in them is a puzzle since we don't actually go far enough that they need to carry food and water. The other two dogs were very young when we got the packs and we used to go on long walks through the woods that no longer exist here. They carried bottles of water and bowls. Those former woods are houses and yards now.

The batch of cranberry bars is baking and will be gifted to neighbors this week. I'll make one or two types of cookies for my daughter to take with her after our holiday gathering. I have a recipe for an apple cake that I'll try with the Bob's Red Mill gluten free flour and I may try one of the cookie recipes with it also (I have a list of what kinds of baked goods need different amounts of the xanthan gum of psyllium husk to make dough stick together. The red gift bag from next door is full of cookies but one little chocolate melted thing looked good, just butter, nuts, and sugar, no flour, but alas, the first bite revealed an abundance of coconut. Darn.

I woke after a really weird dream this morning. Of a crowded train crossing and child darting across the tracks and being hit by the fast train. I think I was riding a horse when I witnessed it and called 911. Where on earth did that come from?