The best arguments in the world won't change a person's mind. The only thing that can do that is a good story.
― Richard Powers, The Overstory

These are definitely fall days now, and another night of rain, the morning soaked and so many plants still in bloom, I am happy for that, my gardens lingering. Hydrangea! What a wonderful bush! I have so many around this property, so many varieties, I still have them coming into bloom. Another day of wandering quietly and serenely through the autumn meadows and woods. I ran for a couple of miles, even Suzi felt a kick in her step. Thursday mornings, first I have housework. So, I was happy to get done and out into the sun. And when I returned, I fussed around with some poem revision before taking on the taxes. And made some submissions. Poetry, then taxes. And I got lucky, found the documents I couldn’t find yesterday and got through the paperwork for the afternoon. A treat: took the special one in the late afternoon, no dogs allowed, to Broadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary nearby. Such a wonderful wonderful hush on the trail. Human hush. There is only nature. Ducks, of all kinds, in the wetlands feeding and surrounded by lily pads. Waterfalls spilling. A great blue heron flying across the water, perching on a dead tree. A red tailed hawk flying over our head. Fingers in moss on granite. Trees holding onto their leaves, lush canopies. Shelter and silence. Whisper of reverence. Once home, I made dinner, some sauce for pasta, needed fresh basil, ran down the slope by the garden too carelessly to the basil and twisted my ankle. Got right up, and it didn’t seem to be much, but now it’s aching and I’m wondering if I will feel better in the morning with this ice pack and ibuprofen and a strong wish to be able to walk. We shall see.