October is all aflame with orange

 

Neither speak ill of others,

nor well of yourself.

The moment you open

Your mouth to speak,

The autumn wind stirs

And chills your lips.

                --Matsuo Bashō

Temperatures have dipped below 40 F in the morning.  A chilly wind whisks leaves from the trees. More light floods the forest floor as the leaves empty from the canopy and, across the green, trees glow as flaming orange orbs.  A birdwatcher friend tells me that the golden eagles spotted at State Line portend a severely cold winter again.*  And despite being termed "unlikely" in our town by the Merlin app, a Great Horned Owl hooted incessantly this morning.  There's no shortage of rodents for it to hunt, and I heartlessly hope it eats as many mice as it can possibly hold.  I have no love for pests this season.    

Pondering

"Well, father, in the shipwreck of life, for life is an eternal shipwreck of our hopes, I cast into the sea my useless encumbrance, that is all, and I remain with my own will, disposed to live perfectly alone, and, consequently, perfectly free." (Eugenie to her father)

                                The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

"What's the odds?" said he. "He'll have the farm. Book-learning will be no use to him," and in spite of Nancy's protests—which Tom regarded as simply the natural outcrop of her ill-will towards him—the boy grew up untaught and uncontrolled, and knowing none but the worst of all masters—himself.

                            A Maid of the Silver Sea by John Oxenham

An interesting (and depressing) parallel in my reading--two characters who are ruled only by themselves.  To me, that's not really freedom.  I can't say that either character is happy or good!  As someone who is (mostly) my own master for the better part of the day, how can I put that time to good use and have the self-discipline to do the good?

Reading and Listening

• A Maid of the Silver Sea by John Oxenham 
• I finished How to Solve Your Own Murder, and while it was enjoyable, I figured out the culprits about halfway through.  It was predictable enough that I won't be reading the rest of the series.
• Inching toward the end of The Count of Monte Cristo

Schola Artium Liberalium Matris

• Chapter 20 of Lingua Latina is two exercises away from being finished.  I'm rushing to finish, I admit, because I can begin a new notebook for my written exercises as soon as I start Chapter 21.  Small goals...

Crafting

• Lunenburg Pullover: This was finished ages ago (2022), but I am just now getting it photographed.  It is one of my favorite sweaters ever, and if it disappeared somehow or wore out, I would immediately purchase more yarn and knit it again. Same goes for the Nowaki shawl.  I think these are the only two pieces in my wardrobe that elicit that feeling!
• I've reached the armhole and v-neck steeks of my vest and want to shout it from the rooftops.  I remember just how much I enjoy steeked garments and foresee more.

Domestic Doings

• Chair re-rushed!
• Children's fiction in the living room sorted!
• Boys' clothes: 

We have a clothing problem and therefore a laundry problem.  The boys have too many items, not enough storage, and the worst culprits are the dress clothes.  Over the next few weeks, I'm going to weed out the things that don't fit and are in bad repair.  There are still a couple of bins of hand-me-downs to sort as well.  My goal? To winnow down to a few pieces for dressy occasions and jettison things that don't work.  Wish me luck!

New Fun Things

• Opi Nail Envy Strengthener

This fall, I had the goal of breaking some unhealthy hand habits: biting my nails and cuticles.  I got a couple of manicures to start myself off, but decided to DIY after that to save some pennies.  I am loving clear nail strengthener to protect my nails while they grow and to remind me not to nibble!

• Apple Cider Recipes

A quick google of "autumn recipes" last week yielded a plethora of apple cider themed dishes.  I've tried two this week:  Apple Cider Smothered Chicken and Crockpot Pumpkin Beer Braised Chicken.  The kids have commented on the theme, but no complaints!  

  

Weekly Goals

• Packing lists for our weekend in Charleston
• knit to shoulders of vest (so close!)
• trip to the Greek Store for a few requested essentials

*AI tells me that the Super El Niño portends otherwise.  Time will tell!

What's keeping your brain humming this week?