1. The lawn mower choked again, causing the husband to say “You have failed me for the last time.” (If this happens to you, Home Depot delivers. Although you may have to wait a couple of days.)

2. Visited the farmer’s market and acquired hand-made soap, Amish baked goods and jam, local lettuce. Winter is a wasteland without farmer’s markets.

3. Introduced kids to joys of picking strawberries in a field. Child A was very serious about filling her basket. Child B ran all over enthusing about everything and also managed to fill her basket. There are now many pounds of strawberries in the kitchen. How many will end up in freezer and how many will end up in kids first is anybody’s guess.

4. Went to see the new Karate Kid. Kids loved it, and so did we. Very well done, from the story to the martial arts to the performances. The world may never see Jackie Chan that serious again.

5. I’m reading War for the Oaks. My brain can’t help noting all the things Emma Bull would undoubtedly be told to change if she submitted the story today as a new author. Urban fantasy has grown up but I think it’s lost some substance in the process. War for the Oaks has substance and the magic of the story stands the test of time. It will be interesting to see how many of the follow-ons that proves true of.