Friday- September 24, 2021

Dear Marion,

  Golden Light. That magical aura struck me last week amidst my longing to stretch Summer a little longer. It makes this part of the year less bitter and more sweet as that golden light serves as a gift to help us let go of the peaceful days of summer. While the light is changing, our days have noticeably grown shorter as sunset is now before 7 pm, and there is a sense of a quicker step when we are out and about. School is back in session, sports are in full swing, and the traffic has shifted. Pumpkins and discussions of pumpkin spice are running amuck. In the evening, I find I am gravitating toward mysteries in the guise of books, podcasts, and movies. Truthfully, much of that is inspired by conversations with your granddaughter, but I think it is also the change in temperature and the notion that I will want to be cozy again. Even the squirrels on my walks seem to be busier collecting nuts. I saw a squirrel climb up a 12-foot fence at a tennis match, reach the top, and scurry along down the length while balancing his newfound sustenance, lastly springing onto a tree branch before tucking themselves out of sight. All of that commotion appearing to be a way to avoid the crowd on one side and the players on the other.

  We have had some truly beautiful days but amidst this weather, there have also been these rainstorms that have been wild with winds and heavy deluge resulting in flooding. Our town is unfortunately familiar with flooding but our block consequently has a well-designed pump system that very quickly alleviates the pressure of water. When these past few storms arrived, it seemed to catch us off guard because it rarely happened when the weather people predicted. There have been days where we are expecting the storm and it looks ominous but it doesn’t happen and then other days when it hits earlier than expected. Twice in the past week, we were truly caught off guard with the wind and heavy downpour, its intensity brought a bit of fear and some crazy laughter. There is something very unique to puddles as we approach them they initially make us anxious and squirmish(very often while juggling bags) and trying madly to avoid sheets of rain soaking us to the bone. While trying to sidestep the puddles and save our shoes and clothes it almost always is for naught. We get wet, angry, sometimes stumble, surrender, and then laughter. Whether I am alone or in the company of others, I can not seem to avoid all of those emotions in one fell swoop. I have spent more fun moments with your grandchildren involving puddles and rain than I can count. We would more often than not follow through with something to feed our soul- comfort food or a warm hot chocolate.

  This weather and the change of season has brought with it many discussions about Apple Cider Doughnuts particularly in our home, the anticipation of them as well as the actual first bite. As you know there are many choices, according to your granddaughter and many others there is but one ultimate option. Delicious Orchards knows how to win someone over with their version and oh how scrumptious when accompanied by their Apple Cider(warm or cold) during the Fall season. We experienced the Fall Harvest Moon this week and we celebrated with the harvest of our own Baked Apple Cider Donuts. The recipe found on Sallysbakingaddiction.com did not disappoint and we even tasted them against our favorite from Delicious Orchards. They were scrumptious and full of all the best Fall anticipations. By the way, when I say we I really mean your granddaughter as she is becoming quite the baker and cook. I was simply the taste tester and I thoroughly enjoyed every moment and crumb.

 What accompanies these delectable treats better than a good read. This week a mystery chose me - The Madness of Crowds by the author Louise Penny. This is the second book I have had the pleasure to read by this author. Where am I visiting this time, a small cozy town in Canada where a moral question tied into a murder or two results in the big question of what would you do. I enjoyed the characters, the description of the community, and the intertwined and complicated mystery of it all. This is my perfect way to open the Fall Season. Well, that...and a conversation with you.

Talk soon,

Forever Yours

Quote:

“The question is not what you look at, but what you see.”

Henry David Thoreau

An American philosopher, poet, and environmental scientist

1817-1862