Friendship

I'm sitting on the couch in my living room wiggling my toes to warm them up. My toes are frequently cold, but tonight is a little different. Our propane tanks read 'empty' although the heat hasn't actually turned off, and our propane company is unreachable. We've called a competitor, but the best they can do is a loaner tank on Monday, permanent tanks in a week or so. It's going town to -25 tonight. Or maybe it's already there. 

As I wiggle my toes I'm exchanging emails with a wonderful friend. We've just spent a wonderful day together, shopping for fabric, bread flour and running attire, and now she offers us a place to crash and shower if/when things get bad. 

We've set the thermostat at 10 to keep the pipes from freezing, whatever else may happen. Martin gets back from Kemptville with two new space heaters and (from the general store) a letter addressed to me. I've been waiting for this letter. It has taken seven weeks (instead of the usual 2.5) to get here from Hubei, China. Enclosed is a beautiful cross-stitch piece with a beautiful sentiment from another wonderful friend. 

Basking in such friendships, I've never felt warmer.