The sky is cloudy and it’s dark, but no rain is predicted. The temperature is about right for this time of year, 55˚. I need to get Dog Food today as Mr. Henry has only a single can left, not even enough for dinner.

This morning I noticed one of pictures was crooked. I walked right by it. That is so not me. I can’t stand crooked pictures. I sat down, tried not to care, had a couple of sips of coffee, opened the paper then went and straightened the picture. I lasted as long as I could.

I feel especially bright this morning, not mood bright but brain bright. I easily filled the Globe crossword and just as easily solved the Cape Times cryptogram.

My father loved reading the newspaper. It was his morning ritual. After he had retired, he’d sit on the front steps, drink his coffee and read his paper. Just about every car that went by him honked and he waved. He knew everybody.

My father wore a white Shirt and tie with his suits for years and years. One Christmas I bought him a yellow shirt. My mother said he’d never wear it. He did. That was the end of starched white shirts. What I missed when he stopped needing the dry cleaners, or dry cleansers as my father called them, was that piece of cardboard in every shirt. It was perfect for all sorts of crafts.

I’ve picked up more clumps of black fur. These clumps, though, surprised me as they felt weird and looked odd. I wondered if Gwen was coming downstairs while Henry and I slept. They could also have been Jack’s as he tends to get clumps, and I tend to find them all over. Either way I just picked them up and tossed them. This morning Henry was carrying around his Halloween toy, his Frankenstein. I noticed Frank has black hair, strange looking black hair.

I did buy Candy in case the neighbor kids drop by the house. I took my time scrolling through the Amazon candy offerings. I wanted candy kids might like but candy I definitely like. A package of Butterfingers, Baby Ruths, Nestle Crunch and 100 Grand bars is what I bought. The candy came a few days ago. I have been hard-pressed not too open it. I’d have to buy more if I did.

Today I need dog food. Tomorrow I have a doctor’s appointment, a routine appointment. That means I’ll be getting dressed two days in a row again. I consider that beyond the pale.