This thread is such a positive, supportive place, brimming with good intentions and deeds, intriguing thought, and wonderful feelings. Thank you for keeping me holding on, all of you. Thank you for your contributions. I love reading about PleaseHelp's family exploits, snagapuss including Mom in painting, kitty's new job (many congratulations! ), alias' fortitude, lavieenrose's fun with Sherman and offer of hope with mythological symbolism a la Campbell, sundog's hikes and kitchen creations, and Payne taking care of business, if you know what I mean. I hope I have not left anyone out. I simply wanted to acknowledge all the goodness here.

Thank you for the empathy and encouragement, Payne and kitty. One thing a day is about all I can manage recently, when I can even do that.

As for my contribution, I went on my longest walk yet yesterday evening, with my mom. She was really sweet to come with me, especially since I tend to annoy her by reminding her of a patch of ice here, or uneven pavement there. I can't help it. Normally, the grey and blue twilight of a winter day has a sparkling, enigmatic quality to it that's irresistible to me; the softer colors and barren landscape of colder months once brought me a strange comfort. I recognize what I see, when I glimpse it, but I cannot connect with it. This is true of almost everything these days. The walk was helpful nonetheless, and I appreciated the willingness of most every pedestrian to cooperate considering our limited resources in terms of pavement thanks to all the leftover snow.

All the best to you; may your day be full of "right things." Sorry I went on and on a bit there.