October. Time seems to be going by quickly. On the other hand, it seems to be dragging (in terms of the election.) I will say that in the space of about a week, the property has been completely transformed. We had a heavy rain the other night and there are fallen leaves everywhere. The change to autumn wasn’t even slow and gentle, it was jarringly fast.

It’s pretty out there, I’ll give you that.

I got some sleep last night so I’m feeling a bit more coherent.

I’ve had two text banking sessions for the Biden campaign, one yesterday and one the day before. I feel very good about it. Most people either ignore the texts (I am guilty of this myself) or respond politely, but I did have a few troublesome replies. It’s a lot easier via text than phone, which is what Don is doing. But it’s extremely well organized by the Biden campaign. I’m very impressed. And everyone on the team is so helpful.

We got our flu shots a couple of days ago. It’s the first time for me, though Don has had them before. We just went to our local supermarket/pharmacy and it was completely safe. Done.

I was asked to join a Zoom session this evening with several students from San Diego. They feel the need to talk about our dear Ben and his passing, to mourn together. It will be good for all of us. We’re all reeling from this loss.

Let’s see, what else? We ordered heating oil this morning. Our relatively balmy temps will end today and we’ll be in the sixties, with colder temps at night. I guess summer is officially over, though my zinnias and morning glories are still blooming. There was one new balloon flower the other day, beautiful and large and a complete surprise, right in the midst of the yellowing leaves of the plant.

I’m almost finished with The Library Book  by Susan Orlean and then I will start in on Troubled Blood, the new Cormoran Strike novel by Robert Galbraith (aka J. K. Rowling.)

A little work on the dollhouse floor is on the docket for this afternoon.

That’s it, my friends. I’m trying to rest and stay relatively relaxed and peaceful. It’s a challenge, but working on the dollhouse will help.

Stay safe.

Happy Thursday.

I have barely slept in the past 48 hours and I’m beyond exhausted, so forgive me if I make this short.

I didn’t watch the debate, though Don did, but I checked in on Twitter and knew what was happening.

I have no words.

OM is that emotional and physical abuser you have most likely encountered at some point in your life. I know I have.

He is unhinged.

I’m shaken to my core.

Anyway, you might just get a pretty picture or two over the next few days. I need to take care of myself. You do, as well. We have been battered and abused for four years. The assault has been relentless. Find a space in which to breathe deep. Do what you need to do to find a pocket or two of peace.

Feel free to leave your thoughts here, friends, though I may not respond.

I am very, very tired and I sure feel older than my years.

Stay safe.

Happy Wednesday.

Suddenly, it’s Autumn. I swear, in the past four days or so, every tree has turned color, leaves are falling, it’s stunning how quickly everything has changed. It feels early this year – we’re not even finished with September yet. I wonder why it’s so early – is it the drought we’ve been having? I don’t know the answer but it seems like it’s moving too quickly. Slow down!

I’m still reeling from the death of Ben. I spent much of the day yesterday communicating with his fellow students on Facebook. We shared memories. We shared our grief. I can’t get him out of my mind, can’t get his family out of my mind. I’ve lost students before; one lovely student at BU suddenly had a heart attack and died, my student John Lentz (in San Diego) was murdered and you’ve heard me speak of that heartbreaking time. And now Ben.

I didn’t sleep all that well last night – too much Orange Man tax info, too much Twitter, then Rachel, etc. I’m not sure if I’m going to watch the debate. Don is, but I’m exhausted and I think I’ll find the whole thing too stressful. I will do some texting for Biden this afternoon.

A little story.

For the past two Sundays, Don has been attending a Unitarian Universalist church service via Zoom. He found this particular service on an online search. It originates from a town in Massachusetts. He really enjoyed the service and the minister’s sermon, which centered on social justice. Afterwords, he entered a couple of ‘rooms’ and spoke with some of the members of the congregation, rather like fellowship after a service in normal times. He was quite taken with the people he ‘met’ – UU principles are very much in sync with Don’s beliefs, so it was a good fit. This past Sunday, he visited via Zoom for a second time. Loved the sermon, raved about the female minister, etc.

Later in the day, I was online and I got a message on Facebook. It was from a friend who I directed in a production of Bye Bye Birdie  when she was in high school – this would have been in 1983 because it was just before I moved to Philadelphia for graduate school. We’ve stayed in touch over the years (that show was a great experience for all of us.) Her message said: Is your Don Sparks the Don Sparks who has been attending my church service on Zoom?

Oh my god. I then remembered that Susanne, who is a Unitarian minister, had been called to a congregation just outside of Boston a few years back. (She went to Harvard Divinity School.) It was her  church that Don was visiting! What are the odds? I mean, what are the odds? My husband connected with a minister who is someone I worked with 37 years ago! Back in Dearborn, Michigan! And it’s someone I have stayed in contact with over the years, thanks to Facebook.

Don couldn’t believe it. Neither could Susanne or I!

Talk about serendipity. Of course, it released a flood of memories of Bye Bye Birdie  and that magical experience we shared. Susanne told me that she was a troubled teen at that time and that I helped her through that. I had no knowledge that she was having a hard time, but I’m always heartened to hear that I’ve made a difference in someone’s life.

I’m so happy that Don knows her now. It truly is a small world.

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.