Cold Comfort

Welcome to another batch of Fresh Donuts, friends! It’s full on February here, and really, I’d much rather be hunkered down next to a slow burning fire, wrapped in blankets until the first crocuses begin poking their heads out of the ground. But here we are, marching down Boogie Street all the same, c’est la vie.

First, we’ll start with a little bagatelle, visiting a friend as they prepare to open the doors for the day.

Our friend Pete knows how to keep the peace. Nothing like a warm donut, eh?

Next up, I’ll feature this delightful book, Hurry, Hurry, Mary Dear by N.M. Bodecker, illustrated by Erik Blegvad. Not only does it feature fresh donuts, but it is a delightful account of Mary and her little black cat preparing for the long cold winter. Here she is, after making the donuts, nearly at her wit’s end and for good reason – she’s the one doing everything.

The little drawing in the front of this book by N.M. Bodecker intrigued me enough to go down a small rabbit hole looking for his illustrations and more info. Turns out he was prolific in nonsense verse, publishing several books – the following poem makes perfect sense and found me at the right moment.

February by N.M. Bodecker

When skies are low
and days are dark,
and frost bites
like a hungry shark,
when mufflers muffle
ears and nose,
and puffy sparrows
huddle close -
how nice to know
that February
is something purely
temporary.

With that, I’ll be wrapping up this batch of Fresh Donuts. Thanks to everyone who’s here with me at this moment - all doing our best, putting one foot in front of the other. I’ll leave you with this little ode to one of my favorite humans to grace this earth who passed away a couple of weeks ago.

For now, I hope the blue skies are smiling at you… until next we meet again!

- Drew P.

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