Well, we got three inches of postcard-perfect snow last night - the kind they named Ivory after: Big, fluffy, flakes that are slippery as can be. So I dug my skis out of the garage (well, actually, Emil dug them out for me), and Wally and I headed off to the park. (Wally loves winter as much as I do.) The snow was excellent. We could have done with three more inches, but what was there could not have been better. (And besides. I think we will not want for snow this year.)

Wally is a wonderful companion to have on the ski trail. At home he's very territorial, but out in the world, he's as friendly as can be, and he really listens, too. He stayed near me the whole time we were out. We passed a woman who had three dogs on a leash; she got off the trail and held her dogs close, and I called Wally to my side, where he stayed as we went by - not even a hint that he might be going to disturb the other dogs. We also passed a large poodle who was off-leash, too, and the two of them frolicked for a few minutes, then Wally willingly moved on. (This is in sharp contrast with William, who is extremely friendly, but who, on outings such as this, was continually running through people's yards and galloping up to strangers in a very friendly - but intimidating if you didn't know him - way. And who, on more than one occasion, ran so far away that I had to detour to go find him.)

Now both the dog and I are satisfyingly tired.

I'm sitting in the sunroom with the brilliant afternoon sun slanting through the windows (and roof), eating a sandwich and contemplating my next move. Should I knit? The appearance of the sunroom is greatly enhanced by two piles of yarn, with projects underway on top of both of them. Should I read? The Sunday papers are scattered across the table in that peculiar dishevelment that signifies "leisure." Should I grade? I have a set of paper portfolios, as well as several online sets - but any way you look at it, I'm ahead of the game there, so there's no pressure . . .

Whatever I choose to do, I have to conclude it by 5:00, though, because I'm going off to a Carly Simon concert at the Michigan theater with my friend Cynthia . . . Musically speaking, she's as stuck in the 70s as I am . . . :) And beforehand, we're heading off to Zanzibar for dinner. I better make sure my bike lights work, because I never drive downtown . . .