I hope you got done what you needed to: a little sunbathing, maybe a nice cruise down the creek in your old inner tube. Did you get a couple of good sun-ripened tomatoes? I did. But I’ll miss the long days. And sleeping with a big old fan rustling the sheets on my bed all night. I sleep good that way. I got in some good walks in warm morning air, took some swims, went out in the evening to watch the jets go by.

I hear the summer is sending a vicious Santa Ana from the four corners, just to remember him by. Not good news for the firefighters on the Day Fire, and probably more ash for my little town.

But as much as I love the summer, with its long daze, Autumn is my favorite time of year. I welcome its contemplation, the slow turning to a quieter, interior landscape. Not necessarily as beautiful, but usually serene. Once we get past this daunting time of equal days and nights, that is. All this balance is too static for me, like something teetering there that shouldn’t be.

Anyhoo, the frost is on the pumpkin soon enough. I’ll try to hit the pool a few more times. It’s good for what ails ya, you know. And then, the long day’s journey into … aw, what do I know about it.

Here’s something scribbled in my journal today.

Sometimes reading poetry
I put the book aside and sigh.
My work will never be as good
and then I’ll die.

Happy equinox y’all!