22F and cloudy @ 07:15, heading up to a high of 39F for the day. Other than today, Ten Day shows highs in the low 40's to high 50's. Current soil temp 29F, 24 hour average 31.6F ... so frozen.
Woman got cat food (and treats ...

) picked up when ran out yesterday afternoon so they should be set for a while, also a little grocery shopping done. See she picked up some chocolate chips and shredded coconut ... so possibly some baking on the horizon. Interested in knowing more about that.
Worked on drilling and screwing flue pipe together yesterday afternoon after having to run out in morning. Three 2' sections with 90 degree solid elbows on each end and a 1' section on the one end where it passes through the wall and enters into the chimney. Used the stainless steel screws I picked up earlier this year, 4 to 5 in each joint. Had one seam that was very difficult to seat, probably spent better than a hour all told screwing around with that, but finally got it to seat properly. Installed cast iron damper on the section of pipe next to stove.
May try to get it installed today. Will be a bit of trick though, since it passes behind the gas forced-air furnace and there is only about 18" or so of clearance and the hot water heater sits next to that. Basically it has to be put up in two sections: the 90 degree elbow with the 1' section has to be placed into the chimney and then the longer section has to be placed into that elbow and screwed together, then rotated up and put into the wood burner. Not real easy to do with one set of hands and close clearances but we'll see how it goes.
Other than that, back to woodworking, labelling more plant markers, check indoor plants for water needs, maybe heat garage up and remove dirt (mostly peat moss) from empty square pot and replace it with good potting soil mix and do some clean up out there.
Bird feeders will be do for a refill today, along with checking bird bath.
Hope everyone has an enjoyable, productive, and safe Thursday before Christmas ...
