Just Call Me Ms. Rogers

When did I become this person? I mean really. Yes, it’s freezing in my office. Fuh-reezing. Despite the claims of the building services guy who says that the thermostat is set at 72 degrees. Just like my fingernails don’t turn blue when it’s 67 degrees outside, they really don’t do it if it’s 72. So I come in every day. I make my oatmeal, get a cup of hot tea, and sit down at my desk…and put on a cardigan. A cardigan that has not, as of late, been anywhere near warm enough, as my joints are still stiff from the cold. I really am fine with bundling up in colder weather – see my post above about being enrobed in fleece. But I can’t dress like that at my office! It would be one thing if it was warm in the summertime; that would make more sense to me, or at least be consistent. But no, it’s freezing then, too. So my cardigan is a year-round staple.

How old am I? 90???

Fortunately there is no song accompanying the donning of the cardigan, asking anyone to be my neighbor. That would just be awkward.

And sad, since there’s not usually anyone else here when I get here.

*Sigh*

Yesterday was great. It was a quiet, productive day. The house was already clean, since I’d cleaned it on Sunday afternoon, which felt great. I was working at the dining room table with a nice fire going to which I’d occasionally add another log or two. The cats were curled up and sleeping nearby (Milo was, as previously mentioned, sleeping right next to my laptop and acting as a fuzzy little paperweight), I took a little nap at lunchtime and had a productive afternoon, and it was just…peaceful.

I was actually going to work from home again today, and I know I’m lucky to have the freedom to do that, since a lot of people don’t. But I started to think that I should probably show my face in the office, so K and I woke up (late) and I hustled to get out the door at a semi-reasonable hour. (Which we kind of didn’t.) And now…not feeling quite so peaceful and rested.

But to buck me up, the folks over at Grist, who are coincidentally the authors of one of my new favorite books, made me totally laugh this morning with the following snippet:

Muskrat Love Ain't Got Nothin' on This
Romance novelist accused of plagiarizing green group's magazine

Bloggers at Smart Bitches Who Love Trashy Books have accused popular romance writer Cassie Edwards of plagiarism in a number of her tomes, including Savage Longings, Savage Moon, and Savage Beloved. Among the accusations lobbed at Edwards -- who, it may surprise you to know, often writes about the lustful dalliances of Native American characters -- is that a description of black-footed ferrets in last year's Shadow Bear was lifted nearly word-for-word from a 2005 article in a quarterly magazine published by green group Defenders of Wildlife. "I'm glad that our magazine has inspired others to write about endangered wildlife," says Defenders editor and ironically named Mark Cheater. "But I'd like to note that our articles are copyrighted, and those who wish to reuse parts or all of these stories need to seek permission first." Edwards, with a heaving bosom, has said she wasn't aware she needed to credit her sources.

Toasty

Since I don’t work for the government, or one of those companies with a more liberal holiday policy, today is a work day for me. However, since I am fortunate enough to work for a company that allows me to work remotely, I am working from home today. If I can situate myself properly, I can actually get a ton of work done at home – it depends on multiple factors, though. Couch = bad. It’s too comfy, and I will inevitably doze off at some point. There’s nothing wrong with an occasional nap if you’re at home, but they’re best scheduled. Desk in the den = good. However, today = ass cold, so I’m compromising by sitting at the dining room table with a nice fire going in the fireplace. I’ve got Milo sitting up here with me, diligently making sure that I don’t get distracted. And to help me focus, he’s sitting right on the stack of papers that I need to work with – just so I don’t forget where they are. I’m also wearing fleece. Lots and lots and lots of fleece. Fleece yoga pants, fleece slippers over my socks, and a fleece pullover over the two long-sleeved t-shirts I’m wearing. And a fleece blanket. Our house is just old and drafty, with old windows that need to be replaced, and I’d be willing to bet that the insulation in the house is original. Which means that it’s not quite useless, but probably getting there fast.

So it’s a good thing that energy costs are so low these days, eh?

Riiiight.

I really don’t mind bundling up, though – because although our thermostat is set at 67, it lies. My fingernails don’t occasionally turn purple when it’s 67 degrees outside! So I came to the conclusion that layering and wearing warm clothes was preferable to selling my eggs in order to pay the gas bill. (We might need them one day, after all.)