Journal: 10/02/05

The weather these last few days has been heavenly. I took a walk in the park this evening around six, and I realized just how perfect the days have been. As I strolled along the path, the early autumn air was pleasant to the touch, the temperature seemed almost balmy, and the huge orange sun was settling down among the trees in the west. I walked in an indolent manner because that seemed appropriate on this unruffled evening. It reminded me of how marvelous the last few days have been, with their cool mornings, resort-like noons, and graceful afternoons and evenings. When I hear of the 80’s in St. Louis and the 100’s in Arizona, I am utterly grateful that I live precisely where I do. I have awakened each morning in the past week with a mild breeze blowing in through the window and have fallen asleep with a similar breeze passing across the bed. The mornings have brought lovely days and the evenings lovely nights. Even luckier for me, I will be hiking in the White Mountains this week with my 8th grade students, and the weather, according to the Internet, promises to be impressive. The temperatures will be warm enough for shorts, skies will be clear (with a zillions stars at night), and the fall colors will be at their best. We’ll be in a mountain paradise for four days. Winter’s coming, I know, but these few days have made it seem that summer wants to stay awhile.