My last day out at school was this past Friday. It was a brutally cold week. Carrie and I froze in what we called "Craft Hell" (freezing cold studios filled with equipment to be counted, cleaned, sorted and then closed up). I am happy to be done out there, I will miss that view.

Very Windy last night into this morning. Very. This was the storm that seals the fate of most of the beautiful leaves. Now there are more bare trees than not. We knew it was coming. The mild temperatures this weekend were gentle in ushering the season along.

Hunting season starts this week.

CAF and I took a one day vacation yesterday, by going to Bar Harbor. We wanted to take advantage of what was rumored to be the last peak warm day of autumn color before the cold wind takes everything from the trees.

It was really crowed everywhere, 2 giant ocean liners off shore, buses, trolleys, taxis, carriages, giant SUV's from many states, bikes, motorcycles, folks on foot, sightseeing helicopters and planes, and more cameras than I've ever seen on one day, mine included.

We had a ball. Picnic, "hiking", popovers at the Jordan Pond House, Thunder Hole, Otter Point, Carriage path. We walked on Sand Beach with Betty, even took our shoes and socks off. Ask CAF about the water her pants took on.

Putting my socks on it occurred to me that they say when you get older you get shorter. Why then do my feet seem to be getting further away?
More "Yoga" CAF said.

We came home for dinner, I made soup.

OK so now we are ready

bring on the frost.

Yesterday CAF and I drove down the coast to deliver my work to a show in Rockland and return art to Spindle works in Brunswick. It was a perfect blue sky, white puffy cloud sunny warm early October day in New England. Autumn leaves falling all around. So many things dying in bright beauty. Everywhere the milkweeds exploding like silent fireworks to let out their seeds.

We talked about how so many species simply live the business of life. Their purpose is to make more of themselves and perform this as a dying act. Give birth, let out the seeds and then whither to death.

That idea made me want to squeeze tight the pure pleasure of pure pleasure.

Remember to notice the things that just tickle you and realize the value of a relaxed moment, or afternoon.

Last weekend J and D were here from Minnesota. We had a great visit. D and I went on a four day retreat at the school. I had the rare opportunity of hanging out with Professor Bobby Hannson for a day and received instructions on how to take my old guitar (cats knocked over and broke) apart and remake it into this tin ukulele.
Thanks to TT for the cool antique English tin.

The sound of it is really good (if played by someone other than me).

It was a great week, I had an episode with my back right in the middle of it all but it's better now and I promise not to carry containers full of bricks anymore.

I will show you the other piece I made as soon as it is finished.