October---probably my favorite month of the year. Over the past couple of weeks, in weather
that was pretty fabulous most days, I have split firewood, dug sweet potatoes, inspected the fireplace chimney, picked tomatoes, squash, pole beans and peppers and power-washed our deck chairs and stored them inside.
In the next week or so, there are mowers to winterize and a garden to be cleared and tilled. The several wind chimes will come inside and multiple hoses will be drained and stored in the basement.
At 71, these tasks take a little longer than they used to, but I assure you that I do not dread or resent any of them. With what I hope is the "wisdom of age", I give thanks that I am still able to get out and about and accomplish something helpful each day. I pause now and then to appreciate the clear blue October sky, suck in the cool clean air and stand in awe of the glorious red and orange maples at the far edge of the meadow.
One evening soon, we will light the season's first fire in our fireplace and sip wine we made as the dancing flames entice us to just sit---and watch---and think of things we thought we were "too busy" to consider.
In this season of gathering and sheltering, we will do our best to let love and gratitude overwhelm the greed and hatred that is striving still to invade and profane this golden autumn.
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Thank you for the reminder of what really matters. 
