Sunday, February 15, 2026   

        The two soft fluffy life size chickens sit on the ottoman by my chair, facing me with their intense black eyes. I am aware of their presence. Chickens don’t smile unlike teddy bears and bunnies. There is something I need to know but what is it. Talking to my silent chickens is really talking to myself.

       The tall man and the dog lover visit late in the day. I am so glad to see them.  We talk and laugh a bit.  I am tired and struggle with words as I talk about what I am reading, what shows I am watching. They are patient with me.

     It is cold all day. I turn off the heater for hours and when it is too cold, I turn the heater back on. I think about going to the library but don’t actually follow through with the plan. I do the usual chair yoga exercises.

     My roommate gives me a box of See’s chocolate for valentine’s day. In the evening the chickens and I watch several episodes of THE CLOSER. The second book I am also reading is A LONG GAME, NOTES ON WRITING FICTION by Elizabeth McCracken.