Thursday, January 15, 2026, 38.4* F, 95% RH, 0841
Ruger lies beside my chair blocking unsettled giants. They want to run, to play, to get close to mommy. Glaring, bowls carved in ice holding water, the fenced-in-land proclaims, “no running today.” Zsolt steps over Ruger to inspect my face, source the noise of coughing.
Snow lies quietly over boulders, downed trees, blanket thinner showing holes. Mole tunnels collapsing. Grass appears, still green in the falling-into-boulders strip outside the fence. No one barks this morning their full attention necessary for navigating, balancing on four legs. They do not enjoy skating.
We are all together, warm, safe soon to be fed.
Art: LJ Austin “Take Me Home” digital collage & paint
