"A year of beauty. A year of plenty.
A year of planting. A year of harvest.
A year of forests. A year of healing.
A year of vision. A year of passion.
A year of rebirth.

This year may we renew the earth.
This year may we renew the earth.

Let it begin with each step we take.
And let it begin with each change we make.
And let it begin with each chain we break.
And let it begin every time we awake."- Starhwak

Swimming in October. I did not walk. I needed to drive my friend to an appointment. She sun made it a very bright blue morning. I dropped her and said today I am going to Farm Pond to swim. I have not been in the water in two weeks or so. More? I have not had the impulse as it has grown cooler. But today, there was no stopping. My impulse was clear. I knew it would be cold. But the early morning sun drew me. The beach was vacant except for a few people fishing from a dock. The leaves where bright gold and red and the water calm. I did not think about whether it would be cold or not- it would be, I knew that. I just dove right it. And I was bit breathless for a stroke or two. And I kept going, thinking I would have to turn around and retreat as the cold water burned my chest and my arms tickled and my legs slowed. But the sun was gloriously inviting. And my body felt so good to be immersed. Ah, how I have missed this pond and this experience. So, I kept going. I swam to my friend’s dock and back. I felt so strong, even though I was cold. I got up on the beach and stood in the sun saying thank you to the pond for another blissful summer of swimming. In the car, I changed quickly out of my wet suit which was hard because I was shivering so. Turned up the heat. Drove to get a cup of hot coffee before picking my friend up. And then we bought pumpkins. Many many pumpkins and mums. And I weeded in the hot sun and my daughter’s dear friend, and mine, texted and asked for a visit and to bring me a coffee and by that time I was ready for an ice tea and we had a lovely visit. Tonight, into the North End for a stroll and some dinner and a trip to Bova’s bakery for coconut cake. What a swim. Pure delight.