Spirit of the season

The snow and cold continues here – like most of the U.S. – although it did clear off for a while this afternoon. Main thoroughfares are fine, but the side streets are glassy with ice. Lots of swinging around if you goose a corner too much.

The office where I work is across the street from a bar. One of the regulars drives there in a giant pickup truck and usually brings his Malamute-wolf mix, who stays in the truck bed while the owner has a few inside. After a short time being alone in the parking lot, the dog tips his head back and howls. He’s been “singing” a lot lately. His owner comes out every so often to check on him, and people coming into the bar usually stop and pet him; he seems to be quite friendly. But once everyone leaves, he breaks into song again. I don’t think he’s cold, with his heavy fur. He’s just a lonely boy. Perhaps he’s caroling in spirit of the season:
Glo-oo-oo-o-o, glo-oo-o-o-o, glo-o-o-o-o-o-ria, in excelsis de-e-oo-o-o-o-o…