January 18, 2021

White Dog watched Steve put the plastic covers on the air ducts from the swamp cooler. "It is supposed to get cold and windy tonight," he told her as he pointed to the plastic which was already billowing from the incoming air. "This should keep all that cold out; we will be warm and snug at bedtime."

She walked with him out to the kitchen. "I don't mind winter TOO much," she said, "but the two days warm, one day cold and all over the board stuff is hard to prepare..." White Dog turned her nose upward and interrupted her thought. "Is that chicken and dumplings?" she asked, "what a perfect choice for a wintery dinner!"

Bailey nosed open the record cabinet and snuffled until she found an old Chick Corea jazz album. Steve helped her pull it out and agreeing it would add warming sounds after the stew. "How about creamy coffee and warm gingerbread drop cookies while we listen? Those would be a calming end to the day," she pressed. 

All eyes turned to Steve.