Today we took a great winter walk with Sarah and Harvey, traipsing through a snowy forest in southern Rhode Island. The snow wasn't deep, but we still stepped carefully over snowy roots and limbs, using our trusty poles to help us stay balanced. The woods seemed completely silent, and Harvey commented on the obvious absence of birds. He speculated that they may stay on the edges of forests in the winter, to have a chance at food both in fields and among the trees.

After the 3-mile walk, we enjoyed a robust brunch at a small, simple cafe, the kind of place that may bustle in the summer tourist season, but was quiet today. The food, though, was delicious, and the friendship around the table special.