This same picture cropped, which I rarely do

November 19, 2007 – Cold, dry, winter weather warning, the first. One day up here, it will just suddenly be cold, and we better be ready. Got to find my gloves and stuff. A few years ago, my hands got infected by a cat bite, and ever since I have to dip them in paraffin wax before I write. Feels good, otherwise they just hurt too much in one or two places. Otherwise, I think we are ready for winter. Annie and Joe moved a lot of firewood onto the porch, and I think I will need it. Got two wood stoves going. Paula is here with a lot of food from down under, and is trying to make some order out of the chaos that always greets her. I am fortunate for her patience and support.
  Got out of the practice of daily sheepherding recently, and have to get back to that. Rose needs it, and misses it, and I never tire of watching her go to work. She is nothing but focused, and her intensity is an impressive thing to see. One day I wonder if she will ever get bored moving the sheep around, but I know the answer. In cold weather, we move the sheep to the pen and around, and sometimes over the hill, where there is still grazable grass. I think I will start night herding again, as timeless a way to think and center down as there is, especially when you can leave the work to the dog and listen to the iPod.
  Rose and I have lived together for nearly six years now, and I am more and more impressed with her all of the time.