It's been good, these last few days, to have dinner before the cozy fire. We've sat for longer than usual, lingering over the food and talking about whatever comes to mind. Tonight, the flames were low on the last of the logs, but they were still bright and warm, and it was fun to watch them curl and flare up as we talked. Dinner was roasted chicken, made by me, and it turned out pretty well. I didn't find it nearly as tasty as Cia's meals, but she seemed to like it a lot, so I feel like a success (at least for today) as this week's chef. We'll see what tomorrow brings!

This afternoon, we drove to the Y in Westerly, but I decided to walk in the park while Cia worked out in the gym. It was spitting rain as I walked, but the park was as beautiful as usual, even in its barest winter clothes. Below is a photo of one of the park's most magnificent trees, looking so strong in its winter pose. 

A poem I wrote today:

INSIDE AND OUTSIDE

A Sonnet

(3/3/2016)

When he took a break from writing and books,

he sometimes saw the sad and lonely looks

of refugees and orphans and all those who live

in fear. He saw the endless wars that give

a darkness to so many lives, the pain

that lies across the land, a tragic stain

of misery. He saw the homeless ones, 

the solitude and wretchedness that stuns

so many people into years of grief.

He loved to write and read, but his belief

in those pursuits was shaken by the sound

of sorrow in the world. He looked around

the room, at books and written words, and cried,

since he was there when suffering was outside.