The morning started cold, dank, and dark. The rain drizzled down enough to make the early dawn uncomfortable and damp, but not enough to feel like refreshing rain.

The building smelled musty when I arrived. All the lights were out, the doors locked, even the gate to the parking lot chained up closed. Everyone arrived grumpy and discombobulated.

A mournful train rolled by (the tracks are just down the road).

After half an hour's efforts, the place was transformed. The lights are on, the coffee made, hot chocolate distributed. I brought and gave to each of the women brightly-colored slipper socks and tea or cocoa. We put on "Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" (I have the CD) and laughed and talked for another half hour.

By the time we were clocked in, to start work, everyone was warmed up and feeling better.