Horrified by the murder of the citizen in Minneapolis by a federal agent.

Did two rounds of fetch with Jett. Ron did another just before bedtime.

Picked up groceries at the Food Pantry, including coffee, plant-based milk and potatoes. Carol loaded me up with tea, which I’m looking forward to trying.

Loaded Jett’s bucket of frozen trumps into a trash bag and put it on the truck along with paper to be recycled. Ron and I left for the transfer station at 3:20 and got there in time. The attendant locked the gate behind us at 3:28.

Shoveled some snow and ice off the deck.

Last evening we got groceries for us and lottery tickets for Cindy. This was to compensate her for treating us to lunch when we left the Cape; it took me three years to figure out a way to pay her back after Cathy told me she wouldn’t take cash.

I put the tix in a card, stamped it and dropped it off at the post office. Redeemed a Subway gift card I got for donating blood; it was enough to cover the price of a salad, which was delicious.

I boiled eggs and potatoes for a cold supper. We had cheese, salad leftover from yesterday and pumpernickel from the Pantry.

Peter got a very good report from his primary.

It’s been snowing lightly off and on today.

Changed sheets, did laundry, made a quiche. Played a little fetch with Jett after breakfast.

I also removed and reattached the U-trap under the upstairs bathroom sink and didn’t find a clog.

Yesterday we attended the North Adams standout for about half an hour.

Bitter cold.

Ron cleared the driveway. I heated minestrone and ravs for his lunch.

I stayed in. Vacuumed the stairs. Tried to work on the upstairs sink S-trap but it wouldn’t budge.

Messaged Jett’s old owner, exchanged New Year’s greetings and a photo of Jett.

Ron did the last transfer station run and shop of the year yesterday.

We went to Pittsfield for his hearing appointment. Travel conditions were very good.

I overdid it on carbs late in the day and was in pain as a result.

Ron was up late.

It was very cold, 5 degrees when Jett went out first thing.

Up a little before 7, half hour nap about 10:15.

Played fetch with Jett, lost count after cleaning up his Trumps. He loves the snow but has been throwing up after exercising the last couple of days. We decided to limit his “fetch time” for now.

The cold did a job on me, too. Had trouble using and tying the Trump bags.

Ron insisted multiple times that the lights on the bushes needed to be brought in before a freezing rain tonight, so I’m ashamed to admit I allowed myself to be bullied into it.

I put the living room back in order, a little sad to do it. The tree was an anchor to happy times with Peter. The passage of time doesn’t bring a lot of pleasure, truth be told.

We had 3-4 inches of snow last night. Ron cleared the driveway.

Meanwhile, I made lunch of soy curls and a canned vegetable soup. With the addition of nutritional yeast and garlic, quite tasty.

Dropped off the electronics kit and a disappointing novel at the Library.

We watched “Respect” starring Jennifer Hudson.

Did laundry, changed sheets.

After breakfast, we unwrapped our gifts from Jan.

We had lunch at the American Legion, where we were joined by a lively gent from Petersboro NY who is making a film about his life in Canada’s Northwest.

We were given a generous veg lunch and sent home with four sandwiches, crackers and cheese, a whole apple pie and two poinsettias.

I’m watching the sunset, too full to move a whole lot. Anyway, I’ve done the wreaths, the lights and the tree and am perfectly happy to stop doing anything for now. Plus I’ve gained weight this month and it’s slowing me down.

I mixed up coldcuts from the sandwiches in Jett’s food, and of course he ate it ferociously. Ron was nice enough to take him out to fetch. He’s making hot toddies for us now.

Ron was not up to helping with the tree, so:

I cut off enough of the double trunk with a hand saw to fit it into the tree stand.

It took a while to get it even moderately secure and unfortunately, I couldn’t fit the trunks, the water dish and the three “feet” in the stand ring. So I left off the water dish; fingers crossed the tree doesn’t dry out too fast.

It’s a small tree but it had room for two sets of lights as well as three wooden garlands. I worked the rest of the afternoon on hanging the ornaments.

Ron did a shop since just about everything will be closed tomorrow.

We bought a tree at a farmstand on Monday, only to find out later that Carr’s and Duke’s had free ones.

MadMacs squared away Ron’s phone, which had inadvertently been set to double clicks during a system upgrade.

We stopped at the North Adams library so I could take photos of the Christmas decorations.

Ron dropped off and picked up a library book for me, The Mare. I’ve not had good luck with book selections recently.

Sent Robert and Bennett their Christmas money yesterday. Leaving James alone until he gets in touch, he’s been “distant” and seems to need a break.

Pizza for supper yesterday; Jett ate the last piece and it didn’t agree with him!

I slept for 12 hours last night.

Made it to the Farmer’s Market at Greylock Works today. Got cheese and gifts for our neighbors.

Stopped in to the Solstice celebration at Wild Soul River complete with roast chestnuts (very good) and a sale of artisan products at Williamstown Coffee Shop.

Laughed until I cried at Ron and Jett’s hijinks.