Just got back from a hay ride. It was a school event, held at the Chalet -- the place where Ree and Maloof did the toboggan run with Cookie and Mojo last Thanksgiving week. They had a nice set-up, especially the fireplaces -- because damn it's gotten cold around here. Into the 40s, for cryin' out loud. I should've worn more than a sweatshirt. My kidneys were knocking together.

The hay ride itself was raucous, with the carts pulling up alongside each other frequently to allow the kids to wail armfuls of hay at each other. The carts went out with a thick layer of hay on the floors; they returned pretty much bare. Fun -- but not quite as much fun as watching Cookie compete hard in the dance contest. He really wanted some kind of trophy...

Now we're sitting here watching the Indians catch a beating from the Red Sox.