December 9th, 1977

An evening with Lynn and George and Hal. I invite myself down after work. Stretched out on the sofa– everyone in a wonderful good mood. I carry my beer down in a Garfinckel’s shopping bag wrapped up against the cold in my nylon parka that Lynn gave me last winter. My dog is wearing a green and red sweater. Even Sadie loves visits to Lynn and George.

We smoke cigarettes and talk about Dolly Parton and Christmas and our childhoods. Country music lulls in the background and we watch Sadie and their cat, Earline, play and chase each other around the living room. I take my boots off and lay back on the sofa and think about all the hundreds of nights that I have spent just like this– sprawled out in the warmth and good energy of my friends.

Now, home again, I listen to the quiet of my apartment and marvel at the fact that another year is about to begin.