Staying Put in Upton

Syl is here for the long (Veterans' Day) weekend. We just came back from a nice walk down Mechanic St. and around the Fowler St. loop - 7,400 steps, according to Syl's pedometer. The pedometer project is part of her nutrition class, along with logging everything she eats. I have learned that even with my better-than-average diet, I still don't consume sufficient quantities of fruits and vegetables, eat too many floury (albeit whole grain) things, and overindulge in sweets. The quest for dietary perfection continues. But no, I will not give up my wine nor forego a daily piece of chocolate or a cookie to two (OK, or three).

It is a clear-blue-sky kind of day. Cold and breezy, but lovely just the same. There is ice on the slow parts of Warren Brook. Everyone is out raking leaves and mowing the lawn just one last time. Firewood is being stacked and the homely smell of wood fires is in the air. I love the fall. One of my favorite fall activities is looking into the woods to see all the things I cannot see when the leaves are on the trees - stone walls, old foundations, topography. Summer secrets given up by the trees as they ready themselves for winter. I also love the change in seasons for the changes it brings into our diet - slowly simmered soups and stews and freshly baked bread - cozy, comforting things.