This is turning into a super day. I woke up a little down over another round of foot trouble, and all from Apple Picking. But Maria and I decided to go outside and make our last bouquets of the season – it’s supposed to get very cold here next week, and we have been warned that most outside plants will die.

But I can’t complain about today. My creative writing student Killian sent me a new version of his very fine horror story, which I will publish once it’s done; Ian McRae,  ready for his first poetry reading, already one of my favorite poets, sent me a beautiful poem about life in Granville, N.Y., and three lovely dog people signed up for my Dog Support program.

It’s coming into place; the message is to go slow, be thoughtful, don’t quit, and be humble.

This one is going to work; I can smell it. If only I could figure out Zoom.  I love helping people with their dogs, and now I might even get paid for it.

This makes me feel good.

Boxes of old jewelry, metal objects, winter clothes, and boots flowing into Bishop Gibbons. Maria just sold another quilt before she even finished it.

There is a ring of good all around me.

A few days ago, all the leaves for miles around began to turn, and this is one of the most beautiful autumns ever.

Our backyard.

Bud At Rest always brings a smile to my face. He’s been barking at a hawk all weekend (be careful Bud) and as worn himself out.

When the sun came out, Maria and I came outside to put together our three final season bouquets – a rough cold wave is coming Monday. One goes to a friend who lost her husband, another goes to an immigrant farm family, and the third comes inside the house. Some fall flowers are still growing and will perhaps service, but most of our flowers will be gone. I love that woman so much; I’ve never seen a smile like that. I also stopped to visit with the Amish girls, and that was sweet and fun. I won two rounds of thumb wrestling (yesterday, Delilah beat me twice.)

Our friend Alflredal has a sweet smile, just as Maria does. Talk about lifting the spirits. Alfreda loves flowers; we always pick some for her. She came by to get some of the last ones of the summer.

This afternoon, we’re both going to get our new Covid booster shots, and afterward, we’ll run out to  “A Little Paris” for some dinner crepes. I’m buying Maria a dessert crepe also. With the weekend visit of Emma and Robin and the trouble with my foot, I haven’t been working much on my ukelele. I’ll get to it tonight.

There’s also a new season of Reservation Dogs on Hulu. I love that show. Thanks for your support and encouragement of Dog Support. If you need help with your dog, e-mail me at [email protected]. $50 for the first half hour; I will keep in touch for free.