Setting out for a walk on a cold morning, I got to try out my new birthday gift. Electric
socks! My daughter certainly knows me – and my always frosty feet. For a minute or
two I was afraid I would be tethered to a very long extension cord, but no. These are
modern devices –they come with batteries that plug into a USB. The heat lasted all the
way to coffee where we were introduced to the sweetest new little furry addition to the
walking women. We met Pyper pup and even MA, famous for not being a dog person, was won
over by her charms. With her little black nose and shiny eyes, the pup (not MA!) was
soon passed from walker to walker, each one rather reluctant to let go of her snuggly
warm body. For quite a while, it was possible for all of us to think warm and lovely
thoughts about the world. After a walk discussing how frustrated and frightened some
feel about the politics around us, we had complete distraction. We aren’t even sure how
to ask the important questions, but puppies and kittens may be the answer.