January 2024: Fiona Walker

“the smell of his leather mitten when he wiped his nose”

The leather mittens were tossed carelessly in a heap of diverse sizes, shapes & tonalities. 3 generations of his family shared a bond with that one brand. It’s timeless quality and workmanship ensured a consistent feel. He rummaged thru looking for a pair that fit. As he picked up the first one he knew instinctively it had been his grandfather’s. The badly worn & barely recognizable leather had the distinctive fragrance of his grandpa’s workshop. It was all there – diesel fumes, gasoline, sawdust, pine pitch, grease & even the faint scent of apple cider. That mitten had been wrapped gratefully around a steaming mug of hot cider at…

Fiona is a recovering workaholic currently writing a survival guide for dementia caregivers. She lives in NW Montana with her husband, cat, and way too many ideas for future projects.