5:30 AM. Usually, at this hour, I’m journaling. Today, I can’t find my journal – and both friends and business associates have been encouraging me to blog more. This is it. The blog will be a “substitute journal” for today.

Well-timed, also. We’ve just had a cold wave come through overnight; cold plus rain, plus freezing rain followed by sleet, and then a fine little layer of snow. It will be a rough morning start for many; the streets will be treacherous, and schools probably cancelled once again.

Today’s blog, done in lieu of journaling, will be a bit of a ramble – so bear with. (Or just skip this one altogether.)

This morning began by restarting last night’s fire. The best thing about winter is the opportunity – even the need – to have a good, strong fire going – 24/7 at times. It warms the south wall of the main floor. When the bricks in the back of the fireplace get good and hot, they help keep the whole house warm. Yes, we could do a lot more with fireplace inserts, etc., but so far, this is what we have – and a whole lot of wood, thanks to two former co-residents of “the Household,” and for this we are most thankful.

So the fire is merrily popping downstairs; a combination of light, dry, fluffy old wood that burns fast and bright, and deep, solid tree-core wood; it burns slow and steady. We’ll keep this going all day, and possibly throughout the coming night — it’s good to know that this might be the last time that we do a serious long-term fire for the season.

We had such a fire two days ago – Sunday afternoon – during our first Cognoscenti Reception for Unveiling. Nicole Cutts, who leads Vision Quest Retreats, took this photo.

Alay’nya, talking about Unveiling at the first Cognoscenti Reception – honoring those whose works are cited in Unveiling: The Inner Journey.