snapshot

Ohhhhhhhh, October.

Such abundance.

Bittersweet temperatures.

Brilliant foliage set against crystal blue skies.

Meadow and tree top filled with birdsong.

Foggy mornings that wrap the house in mist.

Fuzzy caterpillars, their markings shouting "snowy winter"!

Pumpkins and squash, safely stowed in a basket.

Snowy white garlic waiting for the season's soups and stews.

A corduroy shirt hanging on the pegs by the front door.

Cider. Cold and refreshing. Steaming hot and fragrant.

Chipmunks, chattering in the sunshine on the stone wall.

Garden clean up. Gradual. Waiting for each crop to fade.

Walks on the road. Alone and quiet, or with company, deep in conversation.

Henry, drunk with the sunny warmth on the broad windowsill.

Fallen leaves, in drifts, not quite ready for the rake.

Brussels sprouts!

Brown bracken, skeletal Queen Anne's lace and soft green milk weed pods.

And always, the coyote song, hauntingly close and far off, both.