It is so warm and breezy today that I have my office window open and can hear the dry rustle of the leaves that still cling to the trees. Many trees are bare around "The Village" but those that surround our house are primarily green. They will not turn color and fall for weeks yet and then it will be time to rake.

I ventured forth for a walk this morning, a sunny Saturday morning walk. The library was my first stop, returning books and selecting more for cozy nights with my feet up. The next stop was the small grocery in "The Village". I indulge myself with flavored coffee cream in my morning cuppa, my only cup of the day. I was all out and rather than drive a few miles to the mega-store I thought I would check in at the little local grocery to see if they stock that specialty item. They do stock it and although I had to pay a little more for the cream, I did not have to drive to get it. Now I am ready for tomorrow morning.

"The Village" is a small area within "The City" that houses families of mostly middle income. The homes are older and renovated; a few are quite ostentatious in their size and demeanor. "Professional" people live in and around "The Village", doctors, professors and successful business people. The streets are usually bustling with well-heeled full-time Moms and seniors with healthy pensions. Many of the shops cater to specialty markets and antiques. It is no surprise then, that the small local grocery there stocks specialty items.

The last errand on my walk was banking at the local bank machine. I decided against it when I noticed a group of teenage boys hanging around the doors. They looked happy and non-threatening, but I avoid withdrawing money before an audience of any kind. I will do my banking later in the week.

I was missing Attila rather a lot yesterday and decided to distract myself by way of baking. After considering many types of decadent indulgences, I settled on Cinnamon Buns. I love them. They are relatively low in fat, at least if you compare them to the other treats I was considering, and they are low in sodium. Yes, I told myself, this is the healthy choice!

When they came out of the oven I turned them onto plates and set them to cool on the dining room table. Shortly after that I grabbed a book and sat down at the table to read and nibble. Before I knew it, three buns had disappeared. By the end of the day, there was but one plate of Cinnamon Buns left for Attila. I destroyed all evidence of a second plate by doing the dishes.

I think I will have to be careful with these Cinnamon Buns. They may be relatively healthy but they vanish with such rapidity that they lose their credibility. I suppose I am my own "Cinnamon Bun Control Board", but I have failed and fear future failure. I think I will go back to having a fresh apple as an afternoon snack.

I am beginning a new phase of eccentric behavior, and just when I thought I could not get any weirder. I suppose this is what comes of not having the daily dose of teenage scorn to keep me in line. Anyway, here is my latest lifestyle statement.

The past few weeks the temperatures have been rather cool. To save money I have kept the house closed up tight and kept the furnace turned off. It is not warm in here, between 59 and 61 degrees Fahrenheit. I have kept warm by wearing heavy socks, slippers, and the cuddly housecoat Attila gave me last winter.

The second important part of my description centers around my second computer "Alfred" and "Alfred's" old portrait monitor that emits a high pitched squeal. I have been transcribing data into my database on "Marjory", reading the original documents on "Alfred's" squealing monitor.

A few days ago, on a particularly chilly day, I was transcribing away and "Alfred's" squealing monitor was driving me crazy.

"Well," I thought to myself, "I will wear the headphones from that old "Walkman" in the closet, maybe that will keep the squealing level down."

As I rummaged through my closet in search of headphones, I found something else. An old set of earmuffs I had kept for the kids. They seemed just the things to filter out the noise. So I popped them on my head and went back to the keyboard. They did help a bit with the squealing. Then, as I worked, I forgot I was wearing them.

An hour or so had passed before I noticed that the house seemed significantly warmer. I arose and checked the thermostat. The house was actually a degree cooler than it had been a few hours before. I felt warm and toasty. I was mystified. I returned to the keyboard.

Later I took a break and sat by the front window, watching the rain and reading by turns. I still felt warm. I checked the temperature again, it was another degree cooler in the house. I wondered why I was feeling comfortably warm.

Still later, I welcomed Attila at the door. He greeted me with an odd smile. Confused, I asked him what was going on. He reached over to tap me on the ear, thumping the earmuff lightly. We laughed.

Now you will find me perched in front of my keyboard, happily typing away, with big black furry ears. Now I can keep myself warm and comfortable without having to heat the entire square footage of the house.

Of course, once the snow flies the heat comes on, earmuffs or no earmuffs.