Today the cold version of the Santa Ana winds kicked up, at least out where I work. So it is very dry, static-y, and cold. My cat, Leo, who is sitting on my lap as I type, is keeping me warm. He likes watching the cursor move across the screen.

The news from Afghanistan (and the U.S.) is weighing heavily on me. As I type, I'm listening to The News Hour with Jim Lehrer on PBS. I feel I've not had the mental space to follow events closely; so I feel I've not been very engaged with what is happening.

I have much more I've been thinking about writing, but feel scattered. Two topics that perhaps I'll come back to: next Sunday begins the church year with Advent; and simple living.