Slept in after being out late and the household cooperated. A nice fire going. I went out for a run, I thought I would run, it was cold, and I bundled, and I started a run, but then there was a bit of ice and the ground and the wetlands looked interesting to me and I decided to walk and look for pictures, and I found a couple that I liked, and then my friend from San Francisco called and we walked and talked a good long time about my impending trip to visit and I got very excited. Also, very stimulating to listen to the NYTimes Book Review podcast about the ten best books of 2021 and decide which of those I haven’t read I would read. And, I felt warm and refreshed and happy after last night’s gathering with the poets––the special juice of literary friendship. Much to do indoors to prepare for the Book Launch I’m hosting tomorrow for my friend, Mary Beth Hines, and her new poetry collection; and also for Tuesday night, the Journal of Expressive Writing Open Mic I’m hosting featuring Robert Carr. All that pleasurable “work” and a short nap and time by the fire with Frank catching up from our week apart. Today I welcomed the early dark, the sense of the holiday approaching, the gladness of being cozy indoors. Frank put up the tree, it’s still unlit, but standing and we will decorate soon.