....and just like that, it's winter!

While dear bf has been entertaining temps in the single digits, we've had unseasonably sunny weather, with afternoons in the mid-70's and nighttimes sinking to the upper 40's.

Well, all that's about to end. There's a stiff breeze out of the WNW today; walking the dogs was easy on the way out, and a lot more work getting back to the car! It's only 47 right now, and usually we're well on the way to the 60's by now. Brrrrrrrr! (I know, i know, most of you will have very little sympathy for my chilly toes. But hey, us AZ folk have way thinner blood!)

At this precise moment i'm holding a warm mug of apple mint tea (thanks, Chris!) and contemplating the irony of the fact that i'm FINALLY going back to the sweatlodge to host, on the coldest day of the autumn so far.

For those of you who read the post waaaaay long ago about the local sweatlodge, you may remember that all who come on the property are checked against a master list of names. If their name isn't on the list, they need to sign a waiver and provide emergency contact information. The host's job is to check names, help newbies fill out the paperwork, and socialize freely.

I used to host frequently--this is B.C., Before Chris, so don't go blaming him for anything--and then during the summer really dropped out. Part of it was just the simple fact of thinking about going into a sweatlodge when it's around 100 degrees outside--counterintuitive to say the least!

But part of it was also a general disenchantment with the "sweat community" as a whole, stemming partially from an incident last spring where a woman and her carpenter bf offered a whole backyard full of lumber scraps and bulky mesquite logs for free, for the taking. They even offered to fill a trailer they had and deliver a load if "the community" would come lend a hand. The day and time of the pick-up was disseminated widely for at least a week prior, and on the chosen morning exactly 2 people showed up--me and one other woman. It pissed me off so much that i just stopped going to the sweat altogether.

People annoy the hell out of me, most of the time, so i guess it's no surprise i live with dogs rather than housemates. Ha.

Well, at least after i'm done hosting, the sweat will feel Really Good. Getting undressed to go inside will be the hard part!

Happy Sunday, y'all!