Touching the Autumn Air

"As each day comes to us refreshed

and anew,

so does my gratitude renew itself daily.

The breaking of the sun over the horizon

is my grateful heart

dawning upon a blessed world."  ~Terri Guillemets

This morning we felt the changes that come this time of the year. A window closed, a  door shut against the coolness of the early break of day. A sweater not worn since April grabbed before going outside with the dogs.
I went to water the garden. A pastime of everyday importance in our dry, hot summers here in the California Foothills. I found all the plants and containers still damp from yesterday morning's watering. Nothing needed watering. I grabbed the camera and took some photos here and there. 
When I sat down on the chaise lounge I could feel the  dampness of the night on the quilt that covered the pad. I decided that it wasn't enough to cause any permanent sogginess to my clothing. 
I laid there, feeling the coolness against my body, and thought about the changes that were coming. 
I wait for these changes with each hot breath of summer and with the smell of smokey earth that doesn't let us forget the fire that almost made this journey of ours wither into a summer memory. I love the coming of Fall and the cold heart of Winter. I have always had glacial drift within my California dreamin' soul.
Then Carl jumped up on the chaise with me. Cutter wanted to come up too. He watched Carl waiting for some wordless dog sanction... permission to jump up. He always defers to Carl unless food is involved.

 Then, as if given permission, Cutter hopped up to rest by my feet.

 He was still watching Carl but he finally put his head down and relaxed.

This was the way the morning started. 
The three of us...
sitting there together feeling Fall coming...
Feeling gratitude for this life.
It was a good way  to begin the day.

An Early Morning Offering

I've fixed you breakfast. Tea or Coffee? Cheese or jam? Sit anywhere you like: The table, where you can eat without Carl in your lap..., or (it's all on a tray) you can carry it into the living room and sit on the couch with some big pillows tucked behind you. Here, there are no guarantees that the pupster won't be in your lap giving you a dose of puppy eyes. He loves toast.
Relax and put your feet up. There is nothing to do today that can't wait for a little while.

It was a busy day yesterday. I had to go down to the valley. I had a medical appointment , got my flu shot and went to Costco for some things. On my way back I stopped at Davis Farms for some Sloughhouse corn and saw pumpkins I couldn't resist. Such charming little things, looking like flowers, just asking to be taken home.It was a long day but I accomplished a lot.
Today I go nowhere. Today I make breakfast and sit with Carl and whoever would like to join me. The sun is shining, the fog has filled the river valley below us and there is the fragrance of burning in the air. It's what they call a "burn day" and the distant smell of fireplaces and burn barrels mixed with wet Manzanita and Oak trees is sweet perfume in the Fall air.

I will open a window.....,
Breath in deeply.

I'll clean up the dishes if you come. All you will have to do is sit and enjoy the morning. It's kind of a special place here, where I live..., I think that you'll enjoy your visit, and if you stay for lunch I have a dessert for you that will rival anything you have ever tasted. Maybe we could have dessert for breakfast. "Dessert for breakfast, you say?" Of course, my friends. Life is short and you don't know when you will have another moment like this one. So...., join me.