It rhymes, below zero. It’s a whole different world when the mercury in the thermometer goes into the negative double digits. Negative numbers, what a concept. I did not grasp their significance when I was studying algebra. Then, when I related the algebraic concept of negative numbers to a more horizontal reading, say, on a thermometer, I got it. If I were now to study algebra again, I’d make a horizontal template and do just fine.

Tonight's sunset

My failings as an algebra student were a setback. The study of algebra is a hurdle one must jump over before taking additional math classes. I never got there. And sometimes I think that if I’d put my mind to it, I could have taken the requisite math classes and gotten into veterinary school. Now this is just another regret. I can’t do this now because I am in the twilight of my years, just like the pope. I wonder if he passed algebra. Maybe Algebra isn’t a pre-requisite for popes.

Popes have to become conversant in Latin. I didn’t do any better in Latin class than I did in Algebra class. It could have been because both classes were later in the day and by then I was pretty tired.

If I’d become a veterinarian, I might have ended up living someplace warm.

It’s now pretty dang cold here – the temperature range seems to vary from 0˚ F to -16˚ F. The lower spots are colder. When it’s cold like this, the cold seems to swirl around my feet. We don’t have radiant floor heating, which would be a plus. We have colder tile floors. I get up and I walk around, and I tighten my foot muscles – this, I think, is why I’ve had leg/hip/lower back problems. I resolve to put my slippers by the foot of my bed.

When I got home today, Pete was heading in the direction of the barn. He said he was going to take a dog and pony for a walk and asked me if I wanted to join him. It was getting dark, and I didn’t have the right leg gear for a walk. I was wearing jeans and one pair of long underwear. This was it. My Steiger mukluks were keeping my feet warm, and my coat from Siberia was keeping my upper extremities warm.

But nevertheless, I decided to accompany Pete and Shadow on a walk. Pete put a halter on Tyra and handed her to me. She stood quietly. Then he put a halter on Hrimfara. We set out and went around the loop. Once again, I got the sense that, more than anything, Hrimmi would like to pull a cart. She motors along and puts her energy into going in a straight line. Tyra – she bounces all over the place.

We headed in the direction of what we call The Scary Corner (so named for the ghosts that one hung in the bushes there). I thought, I bet they’re really feeling the cold swirling around their feet.

I’ll bet you that none of them passed algebra. If they had, they’d be living elsewhere.