I have to say the last two weeks of October are probably my favorite time of year. Not just because I get to have a birthday, then, either. I was born on a hot blustery day in southern California where autumn colors were rare. How much I enjoy the gift of these changing seasons! Today we went to church, had lunch, put the babies down for their naps, and thus begun a blissful afternoon. I walked out to the pasture to see if Steadfast needed a hand with the new fence, or the new "bitty barn" (who's inhabitants will arrive in time for my birthday next weekend), and he said, no, he was just puttering around enjoying his afternoon at home after three weeks of travels. And so I walked back, with an indignant Toast at my feet. We humans can be such a handful to keep track of, you know. And halfway through the path in the woods I was greeted by Elizabeth toting a phone that had my dear mom on the other end. I sat on the bench on the lawn (which affords the view above) and had a