For now, my part is finished for the proof copy of my soon-to-be-published book, Darcy Dansereau and the Missing Children. I’ve written the blurb, a brief bio, and a dedication to a childhood friend. Until I have the actual proof copy in hand, there’s not much to do on Darcy. So back to blogging, and I’ll also resume work on book six, Iris Starmoss, Elf Detective.  As the saying goes, no rest for the wicked. However, when I get the proof copy, I will need to take another break.

Luckily, I have a kitty assistant to help me write. She is a stern judge who hates the passive voice.

Along with getting the proof copy ready, I have been working on fall chores as the leaves come down, down, down. At least once a week, I use the leaf blower to clean the driveway. This will be an ongoing chore until all the leaves have fallen.

Yesterday, I helped Clif take down the roof and sides of the gazebo. Now only the skeleton remains, along with happy memories of summer nights spent on the patio.

I have emptied and scrubbed most of my outdoor pots. The coleuses are the last of the potted plants, and I’ll get to them soon. Then, I’ll bring in the outdoor ornaments. We have too much snow to leave them out year-round. Following the advice of my blogging friend Jason, who died a few years ago, I don’t cut back the plants in the fall. Instead, I wait until spring. I have done this for several years, and the plants do just fine.

In between fall chores, I have found time to take a couple of autumn pictures.

A leaf on our front porch,

and color in the woods behind our house.

We are nearly halfway through October, and I wish I could implore this beautiful month to slow down, to not go by so fast. But October moves in her own time and, of course, won’t listen to me.

So I’ll take time each day to enjoy the blaze of red, orange, and yellow; the golden glow of the slanted sun; and the crisp but not cold air.

Oh, October!