The freeze is on its way with single digits and even below zero temperatures predicted for the next few nights. Daytime highs will be in the teens or the low 20’s. It’s time to hunker down with an afghan and a new book.

Even Miss Gracie is never outside for long. She prefers to look out the front door rather than ramble through the yard. The birds at the feeders look as if they’re shrugging, hunched up, to stay warm. Mostly they’re goldfinches but yesterday a house finch joined them. I could see the red on his head. I don’t know where my chickadees have gone. They used to be the largest population at the feeders.

When I was young, I had to share a room with my sister. She and I were too far apart in age to have any shared interests. Sometimes I’d want to be alone in my room, but up she’d come and with a know-it-all voice say, “This is my room too, you know,” as if I could ever forget. She and my other little sister were a twosome. A lot of times they played in the cellar with various dolls and their doll carriages, and I was thrilled to be rid of them.

I went off to college when they were 13 and 11 and then after graduating I left for the Peace Corps. One of my sisters told me that my going to Ghana meant they’d get more presents for Christmas. I remember the Sunday my parents were driving me to the airport for the flight to Philadelphia for staging. My sisters were asked if they’d like to come. They said no.

It’s funny how the differences in years disappear when you’re adults. I love spending time with my sisters. We still don’t have a whole lot in common, but that doesn’t seem to matter any more. We get together and laugh, play some games and enjoy each other. I can’t remember the last time I  suggested they play in the cellar.