The morning was winter ugly, but now I see blue and slivers of the sun between the clouds. It will be close to 40˚, a balmy winter’s day. It is dump day.

My gas furnace is making scary noises. I just called for a service visit. It is overtime so I have to pay a fee upfront then by the hour, but that is so much cheaper than a new furnace. I told the guy to honk when he arrives so I can put the dog out.

When I was a kid, we had an oil furnace. On one side of the cellar was a fuel tank which held all the oil. The tank was black and it smelled like the oil. Right beside the tank was a small window. I remember playing in the cellar and seeing the sun coming through the window with its rays highlighting the dust.

My house is clean again. All the clumps of fur are gone, but it won’t take long before I pick black hair from the cats and white hair from the dog off the floor. Henry, despite his short hair, has white fur flying when he runs or plays. I’d brush him but he hates it. The cats love being brushed. Gwen purrs the whole time.

The TV is on, and I’m still switching back and forth between CNN and MSNBC. I know nothing much has changed since last night, but if something does, I don’t want to miss it.

The furnace guy is here is BREAK!

I’m back but some of my money isn’t. I paid for the emergency and also overtime for the repairman. I put Henry outside when the truck pulled up front. I know Henry wouldn’t hurt him, but Henry has one heck of a scary what are doing in my yard bark. When the guy was downstairs in the cellar, I let Henry in, and he ran upstairs though he did keep peeking at the guy who was filling out my receipt. The repairman said it was an induction motor. I asked how bad. He said bad. They’ll call on Monday with an estimate. He guessed around $800. I hate when things stop working.