October

Here it is, October. The Zodiac chariot moves on; the Book of Hours calendar page turns. This month shows a detailed painting of the massive Louvre castle looming over peasants tilling and sowing their field with fall crops. I see a horse is also hard at work, with a man with a whip on its back. (Oh, Sizzle-- in the long history of horses, you really were lucky.)

This huge palace eventually became the famous Paris museum. It began as a fortress in the 12th century, and was rebuilt many times over the years. A few remnants of the ancient building are still there, but it's hard to imagine agriculture where the dense, sophisticated city is now.

Our beautiful and unseasonable weather continues. Here's a poem for today:

It was one of those fine October days,
Free from summer's heat and haze
But not yet gripped by autumn's chill.
It was one of those fine October days
When the sky's so clear you can see the moon at midday.
It was one of those fine October days,
When the trees sport yellow and red
Instead of everyday green.

It was one of those fine October days
When one draws a deep breath
And is grateful to be resident on earth.

Richard Greene