The winter months put a pause on going for runs with Reuben. While they both went out, schedules and the weather hindered them. That isn't to say that they ignored each other. That box in the tree was water-proofed, and they left each other messages in the tree as well as what stories Dottie had for the fairies.
Some of those messages over time became rather messy looking, as they became a series of messages on a sheet of lined paper, hastily scribbled on.
'Do you have Saturday off?
No, but I work a half day. I would be cleaning Friday, but something family related and so I am bumping that until Saturday.
So you would be free Saturday afternoon?
Sure.
Can we go for coffee? As a date? Lilac's at 2
Thanks. I'll be there.
Thank you as well.'
Some were less date like.
'Do you have to leave me messages this way?
My work tends to keep my answering machine full.'
On warmer days, Dottie would actually sit and talk to the fairies, and listen to the winter birds sing to each other.
So the winter months bled together.