On Sunday, Auri wanted to borrow my phone to take photos on her walk with Euan and Scapa.
‘My own dear little Linnet! You’ve found her bracelet! Tell me where it was?’
‘She put it round the squirrel’s neck. It looked marvellous there, all glittery in the fur.’
The Children of Green Knowe by Lucy M. Boston
It has been a good news week! Or, more specifically, a good news three-days. Family and friends have received some excellent tidings from Wednesday through to Friday. Many a smile has been raised, and no doubt some glasses somewhere along the way, too.
Elosa hosted a very important debate last night: whether that popular Hallowe’en activity should be referred to as Apple Ducking or Apple Bobbing.
They shut the road through the woods
The Way Through the Woods by Rudyard Kipling
Seventy years ago.
As I mentioned a few days ago, I’m currently managing a tracking journal. There are twenty-one actions I’ve been tracking since early September, and I’m really pleased with my progress. Though not perfect (which I wasn’t expecting, especially given current circumstances), I feel my pencils reflect the measure of my success.
There is something very satisfying about raking leaves. I always absentmindedly find myself humming Mary Chapin Carpenter’s “This Shirt”, and repeating lines from “A Song of Sherwood” by Alfred Noyes (even if most of the poem is out of season right now).
Oberon, Oberon, rake away the gold,
Rake away the red leaves, roll away the mould,
Rake away the gold leaves, roll away the red,
And wake Will Scarlett from his leafy forest bed.
The pears and plums were the first to fall (only a hardy few hanging on), followed by the apples (half down to date). The larger cherry is turning yellow from the inside out, and falling oh-so-slowly. Only two or three have fallen so far from Osa’s Oak, though the colours are stunning.
I am sure that I picked up the phrase “misty, moisty mornings” from Susan Hill’s “Through the Kitchen Window” many, many moons ago. She was describing those autumn days with mushroom blooming everywhere. It seems fitting for today.
I really enjoy homeworking. I can get so much more done, and (especially right now) it’s nice to be able to relax properly during my lunch break. But one of the tricky things to deal with is Scapa. Mostly, she curls up somewhere nearby after her walk, and is quite content and peaceful. But, if she wants strokes, she has a habit of knocking my right hand upwards until I stop using my mouse and pay her some attention.
