The many faces of the apricot tree with different skies. I sat under it for awhile the other day while someone else worked in my yard. It was a reminder of the simple joy of letting go. Feels like it’s been a long, long time since I let myself really relax. If I ever knew how, I’ve lost the skill. But I intend to practice every day and maybe I’ll be able to create a new healthy habit.

This crinkle-cutter worked really well on a narrow sweet potato, and I tried some tricks that several recipes promised would deliver the crispiest fries ever. They did not. The fries look much crispier than they actually were, but they were still tasty.

The Eureka lemon tree that I’ve had for a couple of years, and cut back to a stump last year (because, well, I can’t even remember why right this minute but it was necessary) has grown really well, and I’m thrilled that it finally has some flower buds at the tips. A houseplant success!

I’ve tried to get Topaz to walk with us the past few days and she wouldn’t. Turns out she just had a strong opinion on which direction she was willing to walk. This afternoon I cajoled and pleaded, and she lay down. Until I turned back through the east gate, walked past her and out the west gate, and she came right along. It was just before sunset and I caught both pets in the frame right before full shadow dimmed the emerald carpet. The forest floor has never looked like this. Seeing in real time how an extra wet season sets up a more serious fire season. We’ll know more later.

I’ve seen more mushrooms in the yard and woods in the past month than I’ve seen in the previous 33 years combined. Even with gloves on my hands got cold so we turned for home early. We got back to the yarden just in time for last light on the mountains, as the fall foliage radiated warmth.