The morning is so pretty. The sun is bright in a cloudless blue sky, cloudless for a short while anyway. The air is still. It is warmer than it has been at 29°. A high of 36° is predicted. I don’t remember the last time we got out of the 20’s, no layering today. Tonight we should have scattered snow flurries starting around seven and lasting until four in the morning.

When I was in the second grade, I joined the brownies. My mother took me shopping for the brownie dress, belt and beanie. On the beanie was an orange elf, a brownie, and another brownie elf was on the pocket and on the gold pin. When we had meetings, I could wear my brownie uniform to school instead of my school uniform. I remember learning a few knots, especially the square knot, left over right, right over left. That saying is so ingrained in my memory drawer I still say it when I make a square knot. One of my favorite memories is marching in the town’s Memorial Day parade. I remember feeling so proud in my uniform.

I think I was in the fourth grade when I had my fly up, when I left the brownies and became a junior Girl Scout. We had to memorize the Girl Scout promise for the ceremony. I remember holding up three fingers on my left hand as I said the promise. My mother took me shopping again. Jordan Marsh in Malden had a Scout section. We bought the Girl Scout handbook, the green uniform, a green beret and a pin with a gold trefoil on a blue background. We bought the sash and the neckerchief I tied in a square knot, left over right and right over left.

A couple of Christmases ago my sister gave me a Girl Scout handbook. It is the same copy as the one I used for years. I love reading all requirements for badges I earned. They were sewn on to my sash. I have a hat collection including a brownie beanie and a Girl Scout beret.

I haven’t been out of the house in nearly a week. The dogs and Jack have been my only company. I carry on conversations with them, one-sided conversations. They follow me to the kitchen every time I go. They stand right by the treats waiting hopefully. Most times I give in.

My dance card is uke heavy. I have my usual practice and lesson as well as two concerts. My solitary life is over.

This entry was posted on February 10, 2026 at 12:48 pm and is filed under Musings. You can subscribe via RSS 2.0 feed to this post's comments. You can comment below, or link to this permanent URL from your own site.