Dogs lay down in the evening heat
Fish do worse when they leave the sea
Songbirds only end up where they’re going
In this autumn town where the lights can change
Some get mercy and some get blamed
Some get lost when they feel the river flowing
It’s all holy smoke and the flame dies fast
We hold our hats while the days fly past
Cold wind comes and we wait but it keeps going
Father, Sons and Holy Ghosts
All come back or they all come close
Songbirds only end up where they’re going
Some get hard and some go home
Some want flesh and some want bone
I just want to see you in the morning
— Iron & Wine, Autumn Town Leaves

Taking a lunchtime walk yesterday, I finally saw the grapes I’ve been smelling on evening walks. The grape leaves have largely vacated the vines, leaving the grapes exposed for all to see. I left them hanging for the birds and squirrels to eat. I savored them this season with my other senses, and that’s enough for me.

This will be written and published on the tenth day of the tenth month. Two years ago, according to my line per day journal, we had a tremendous aurora borealis lighting up the skies. The great thing about a line per day journal is that we are reminded of things like that as we enter this day’s line.

Some days bring more to wonder at than other days, but they all might be savored. The objective, of course, is to do something eventful enough to be noteworthy. Magic may or may not ensue today, but surely we can make it interesting.

How the days fly by while we hold our hats and lean into our lives. Go for a walk in the woods, go to the orchard for apple cider donuts and pumpkins, feel the warmth of the sun counter the These are days to remember, as we live them. Whatever we do, be there for it.