I am starting to pine for my sandals. This year I have not had a single chance to wear them. By and large, the weather has been horrendous. Even though we have had a few nice days, they have been few and far between. And too cold for sandals, anyhow. As I write, it is cold and wet. What is worse, this is how it is likely to remain for a stretch. Flustered, a few minutes ago I found myself searching for the word “sandals” in my Residua. For some reason I was convinced this year’s misery was unprecedented since my arrival in Motovun. As it turned out, however, there were a few years when I started wearing sandals in March or even February, but such years were far from the norm. What is different this year is that I have had enough of the winter much earlier than ever before. As a matter of fact, it is coming out of my nose already. Pining for my sandals cannot be explained in any other way. Shucks. As though I am supposed to stop pining now that I know the cold truth.