There was a rat in the live trap on the back porch this morning. And no water. The spring ran dry this year for the first time in our knowing, so Pop has rigged a system to pipe water from the new house and it's well, through a hose to Paul's house and from there to the garage house where Will's family stays. Last night the hose froze. We thawed it out by draping it in the sun and contrived not to park our cars on top of the hose again. Thea is afraid of Paul's house. I had to carry her in last night. She will not come near it now.