Ah, autumn!

September has had variable weather so far -- the day of Isaac's party was perfect (mid-70s with a cool breeze, still pleasant outside at 6:00 p.m.), but the day before was cold (topping out at 65, overcast with a brisk wind) and the day after was hot (in the low 90s with a penetrating sun).

So I'm sure we have some Indian Summer still to come, but today really felt like fall. A low golden light slanted across the yard, while a high cool wind buffeted the trees on the ridge behind us. We had to wear long sleeves to play outside. The sky was a lighter shade of blue than it is during the summer; there was a small checkerboard of clouds high to the south. The wind in the pines was loud and invigorating -- Isaac kept looking around to see what was making all that noise. I picked an apple off the tree -- it was so ready to be picked that it fell off in my hand -- and Isaac and I shared bites of it as we sat on the lawn. It was the perfect ripe green apple -- crisp, juicy, and not over-sweet. Isaac had never eaten a whole apple out-of-hand before. and he found it rather amusing. He took tiny delicate bites, but he got juice all over his face and down his shirt. When we were done with the apple, I gave the core to Walt and he ate the rest -- not in one gulp, but in small bites almost as careful as Isaac's.