2/18/26 6:30 26F (-3.3C) It is a windless morning covered in lumps of ice, clear but for a few wisps of clouds.

A brief squall of freezing rain passed through last night, followed by clearing and plunging temperature.

The apparent tranquility of a country morning is belied by the sounds of roosters crowing, ducks quacking, the raucous calls of crows.

Our heat pump hums and whirs, working hard to combat the cold.

Several cars pass.

A jet rumbles overhead.

Out on the highway, a log truck uses its airbrakes coming down the hill.

Walter has found something to bark at and applies himself to the task with single-minded diligence.

Good morning.