Cozy–that’s how the house feels. When first I strip off all the decorations from Christmas–which I love and spend lots of time making sure that even the cats have bits of ribbon on their collars, tails, etc–and send the last of the baked good off with the kids or the neighbors, I feel a bit wistful. Another holiday gone. The walls still echo with laughter, wonderful smells still whisper through the emptier rooms, and a bit of ribbon peeks out from under the sofa. Then I pull out the pillows, afghan, photos, the books I was reading, snuggle into my fuzzy purple robe, and open Blood Relations. The cats arrange themselves around me, Ron hugs me goodbye on his way out, and I sip my peppermint tea. Cozy–definitely. Chapter 25 is waiting.