Hello Winter

The Man in his element. Hot summer day. Not like what's going on now, with about 6" of snow, and still coming down. I had a meeting at work that ran late, and the snow started just as I was getting back into the city. I had intended to go to another work site, but scrapped that idea when the snow started to come down faster. So, we're hibernating. Working on the book tonight--the nuts and bolts of measuring, and calculating. Hopefully I can work on one project every 1-2 nights this month to really get it fine tuned. I need to make a photo list, too. The shoot keeps getting pushed back. I suspect now it may be the last thing to happen. I spoke to a friend and found out that her 16+ old dog died a few weeks ago. One of the sweaters in my book is named for him, Olly. Having grieved for three pets myself, I know how hard the loss is. It sounds like Sandy handled the whole experience in the most humane and gentle way, and Olly ended his life happily. I hope I can be like that when it happens again in my family. Gidget died cradled in my arms, exactly how I had hoped. When she got really sick in the last few months of her life, I always feared coming home and finding her dead. Not knowing if she had suffered. As hard as the loss is, I am grateful that I cuddled her as she drifted away. In better news, the Chicago city council has passed a smoking ban! I can happily go to restaurants and bars again. Thanks, Chicago, for catching up with some more progressive cities!