October 2021

A List: St Augustine--City of God........................................................................762/867

B List: Bulfinch--Mythology................................................................................674/773

C List: Scott--Rob Roy.........................................................................................301/501

I think by next month we should be into some new books. I think I've gotten as much out of this reading of Augustine as I am going to get, but I'm this close to the end so I might as well go all the way. I am still enjoying Rob Roy for the high-spirited dialogue and Scottish/Glaswegian atmosphere. The story, which was hurtling along in such a lively manner in the beginning, slowed down somewhat between pages 200 & 300, though I think it may be about to pick up again. 

We're approaching that time of year when I have to pack up and move my reading time inside for the winter. I was able to take breakfast on the porch every day up to September 26th, but now pretty much every morning is too cold to sit out. However there should be a few weeks left for me to get out in the afternoon, when I am home. Sadly, my fear of ever increasing heating prices has made me come to dread the coming of winter over the past few years, a season I used to enjoy with more equanimity, at least until the latter part of March.  

Another month without many distinctive pictures, though I suppose we did a few things. I'm not one of these people who constantly takes photos, usually only if someone asks me to, or if I see something that interests me, which apparently is a rare occurrence.

We had one last beach day in early September. I had conceived the idea of going to a sports bar and watching a late football game at the end of the day, but all of the places at the beach were too crowded, so we ended up going to Applebee's in unglamorous Biddeford, which, to be honest, was fine.

My six year old's chalkboard drawing. 

The first weekend in October we went to a fair. I actually love these fairs for the same reason I like going to baseball games (at least in the cheap seats). Lots of younger people who are at least trying to have a good time and are not in the moment focused on grievances or political anger. Grievances and political anger are all good and well, but since I seem to be generally identified in most instances in my circles as at least as much as part of the problem as part of the solution, it is nice for me to have a break from it.

Another Sunday afternoon drive, this time to the Basin in the White Mountains. Thoreau was here. 

Breaking out the Halloween decorations (and seasonal attire).

She really wanted this almost incriminating photo. 

Twilight at the fair.