It can't make up its mind. First it rains hard enough to scare the dog with the rattle of big drops against the windows and roof then we have ten minutes of big wet flakes falling in stillness, then the sky whistles and chuffs and it rains again, drops as big cashews, twisted by the wind.

The dog barks at the door then charges up and down the hallway, huffing and wuffing. She brings me a toy and I throw it for her, all the way to the end of the house and she runs to get it like a short, furry centerfielder. She brings it back and I throw it again, three, four, five times and she dodges past me to pause at the door. She looks back and then goes outside.

I put on shoes and follow her and we repeat the game on the porch with the rain falling around us and the wind ruffling the bright blue tarps that some people have put on their roofs to keep out the rain. It's surprisingly warm outside or maybe we have warmed each other.

We go inside for coffee, biscuits and dog food. I have the coffee and biscuits and I first warm Cuddles mushy breakfast in the microwave because it's cold again. But we are inside and warm and comfortable. It's early, maybe we'll go back to bed and take a nap under the covers.

Hugs to all,
Erin