What a spectacular day this has been. Yesterday, Hurricane Michael flew on over and then by, offering little more than strong winds and several inches of heavy rain, leaving our garden littered with thousands of leaves, small branches, and other detritus.

So today, waking up to 55-degrees and clear skies, I skipped the writing and went directly to work, cleaning first the outside then the insides of Maul-Hall. Open windows, fresh air streaming in, the promise of a few cool months ahead. Ahhhh, this is so good.

I even pulled out the ladder and cleaned the upstairs windows. I did fairly well, given the fact that – a couple of years ago – I lost my nerve for heights. The biggest challenge was dealing with the angry spiders who were evidently under the impression that they had some kind of agreement that they would never be disturbed.

Sometimes it’s good for me to close the computer, leave all the projects and deadlines behind, leave my editors wondering, and breath a full day’s work of fresh air. I think it’s part of the balance equation we have to constantly remind ourselves about, mind, body, and spirit.

I’m excited about the coming of the fall. This one started a full month too late. But of course, it’s been different every year. This is North Carolina fall number six for us, and I still have to pinch myself sometimes to believe we’re really here.

A cool fall day in the Piedmont of North Carolina, dripping with sunshine and surrounded by beautiful trees. Fresh air is filling the house. So good. So grateful.

– DEREK

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