Ringtail of Leave/Michaelmas

Not much to report. It rained all day yesterday, and I had an irrational urge to run out of the house and keep going until I came to a place where I could see the sun. I'm happy because this morning, the rising sun could actually be seen as it came up and sparkled between the trees. Clouds came and went all day, but at least we had a taste of its honey. Also, my various aches and pains feel a lot better today, so I'm appreciative. Sunday was sad because we texted with Tron and had to come right out and say that none of us really feel okay about traveling for Thanksgiving. The decision has been made that it won't happen this year.

I'm living in a day-to-day state of denial, via carefully curated activities and thought-stopping of various kinds. Thought-stopping techniques are favored by cults, but not all thought-stopping is evil! Burying oneself in a book, for instance, or thinking about what to cook for dinner, or remembering happy times with people you love, rather than contemplating what fresh hell comes next. We went for a quick walk. The sun was back, revealing blue sky through a rent in the clouds to the southeast, while the frail gold of black walnut fronds was silhouetted against ominous rolls of slate-dark clouds in the northwest. The tall stalks that once were brilliant yellow silphium are brown now, and give forth a dark autumnal scent in the chilly air. Many golden leaflets from the locust and walnut trees have fallen with the wind and the rain to line the pathways.

Bravely--or perhaps foolhardily--attempting to watch the debate without whisky. So far . . . .