It’s no secret that I love chocolate cake. I also love whiskey, as evidenced by my love of Manhattans.

While returning home along Route 1B from my morning coffee break at the Waltz lunch bar, I have noticed all the tree cutting and clearing of land at the entrance to the Lincoln County Rifle Club. The activity started us both thinking how fast time goes by.

Last week I interviewed the owners of O-Cha, soon to be Racha Noodle Bar, in Damariscotta. I talked to Job; his wife, Em; and his sister, Jib, about their new restaurant, and Em mentioned a dish she had developed that will be served at Racha: spaghetti curry with a green curry sauce.

How about this January weather we’ve been having? One day you see snow, the next day it’s gone. One day it’s wind chill of negative 5 degrees, the next day it’s 50 degrees. At least our days are getting longer.

I love custard pie. I think it’s my favorite dessert. At least today.

I’ve always loved plain old custard, too. Baked in little glass custard cups with a healthy dose of nutmeg sprinkled over the top, it’s a simple, somewhat decadent dessert.

As I sit here in my office on this cloudy Monday morning, I can hear snow plows clunking by, snow blowers running, and a tractor up the road doing some snow removal.

Animal therapy — bringing people together with animals — has many positive effects on people, including placing a person in the moment.