The Curses and Blessings of Desiccants

Basically everyday in winter is a struggle; even sitting beneath the kotatsu is little comfort. I mean how am I supposed to produce the amazing proses and versifications that are my trademark when I can barely move my fingers, they're so numb! Usually I just huddle by the kerosene heater or wrap myself in several electric blankets. Nothing really helps though, as the electric blankets just put me to sleep, and the fumes from the heater give me a headache. There are instructions on the top indicating you should air out the room for an hour 1-2 times a day, but no one in their right mind opens up the house in the dead of winter.

I nearly bit into the dessicant in my little bag of snacks. I was pulling them out so absentmindedly, I barely noticed. You'd think that in the middle of winter you wouldn't have to worry about things like humidity. Au contraire! I did a load of laundry a few days ago, hung them immediately after, and they're still not entirely dry. There have been times in the summer where I put perfectly dry clothes into the closet only to find them slightly damp when I come back later. The problem is so bad, you can buy these special desiccant bags that are attached to clothes hangers. I can remember my horror the first few times when day by day it swelled to near pregnant proportions.

And to make you all better people:

夜の帳にささめき盡きし星の今を下界の人の鬢のほつれよ (みだれ髪 1)

in night's canopy the stars have ceased their whispering, while now
in the world below her forelocks loosen and fray