All Hallows' Eve

Today, we returned to Philadelphia primarily by way of New York. The trees of the Adirondacks that just a week prior had been engulfed in a panoply of autumnal fire now had leaves only of a dimming dark red, if any at all. Those already naked exposed their bony knees and elbows, standing silently intertwined against a low, gray sky.

Here in the Delaware Valley, we found an unseasonable warmth, although accompanied by a persistent southerly wind. I took advantage of the nice weather to prepare my garden for winter, removing the last of the tomato vines, an overgrowth of parsley and my remaining nasturtiums. I took down my rabbit-proof fence and turned over the good, dark brown soil one final time.

Just as a trickle of trick-or-treaters begins to make their way through the damp streets below, our senescent television gets into the spirit as well, choosing Halloween night to give up its long-awaited ghost. The old girl sparked and sputtered, taking her final breath as I warily watched Clarice meet Dr. Lecter for the first time. Not to worry, as a set the size of a postage stamp was unearthed from the attic, dusted and tested to be ready in time for tonight's game.

Happy Halloween!