Δαφνη Ευτυχια Αρθουρος

"We must make clear to the Germans that the wrong for which their fallen leaders are on trial is not that they lost the war, but that they started it. And we must not allow ourselves to be drawn into a trial of the causes of the war, for our position is that no grievances or policies will justify resort to aggressive war. It is utterly renounced and condemned as an instrument of policy." -- U.S. Supreme Court Justice Robert H. Jackson, 1945-08-12

Uh oh. Looking at the electronic thermometer in my bedroom, it says the outside temperature here is 265K / -8°C / 18°F, and the temperature in the room is 283K / 9°C / 49°F. Which means other parts of the house are probably significantly colder (I've got a wee electric space heater limping along (it's started to die but I found a way to coax a little more use out of it) in this room, and the larger one I wrote about repairing a few months ago in the bathroom).

I have a feeling I know what I'm going to find when I drag myself out from under these warm blankets and go check the float-guage on the oil tank in the basement. The oil we bought in November or December lasted a while thanks to the warm weather. The oil we bought a few weeks ago got used up a bit more quickly. The good news is that I did get approved for that Citgo discounted-oil-for-poor-people deal, so when i manage to come up with money to buy oil with, it'll buy a larger quantity of oil. The less comfortable news is that I don't have much to spend right now. Time to see what my mother can spare, and whether my housemate is willing (and can afford) to give me a loan against his March rent to cover my share of an oil delivery.

Hmm. At some point my bladder will force me to leave my nest of blankets and brave the chilly path through the house to the bathroom, but at the moment I'm comfortable in bed where the cat has glued herself to my butt -- or I will be once I pull the hand I'm using to type this back under the covers.

Heating oil solution in progress; sorting out logistics and timing -- may have another cold night (not sure yet) but should have heat again tomorrow.

Had to go after the cat with scissors. Took out a larger chunk of her coat than I would've lked, because she wouldn't keep still long enough for me to aim straight for the knot, but the surrounding fluffiness filled/covered the spot the next time she groomed herself. She keeps telling me I'm using the grooming brush wrong -- I don't know whether she really knows better than I do or is just impatient -- but I do try to help her avoid getting knots/mats/tangles. Spring shedding is going to be a lot of fun, I can tell. Impressive winter coat right now.