The temperature is plunging this evening.  Anne says if it falls to 20 we won’t run in the morning.  I can hope.  I have never taken much pleasure in dawn runs when it is cold.  Still, I enjoy what the running does for me.  It is a tonic, certainly, and keeps us fit for hiking, birding, and other grand exercises.

We are at home today returning last evening from a several day visit to Brooklyn, NY.  Our daughter moved on Sunday, and we parental units provided assistance with the move and the furnishing of the newly renovated house.  The move went well and was completed before the arrival in the evening of the post-hurricane-Sandy storm that produced an extraordinary storm surge along the northern New Jersey and coastal New York area. 

Having settled in at home for the season, we are upgrading the establishment.  That is a  problem with ownership.  There is always something to do, things you think of and things on the “honey do” list.  Last weekend I installed foundation shrubbery in front of the house.  As a result we really do now have a garden.  Before the bushes we had only a few herbs and a small patch of greens - currently lettuce and spinach.  I also removed a foot of clay from two other beds and replaced it with top soil and leaves.  These will now make good gard

I write from home after spending most of September in Italy.  We enjoyed a splendid sojourn there but are glad to be home.  I may compare the qualities of the two places and point out advantages and disadvantages, but of course familiarity provides comfort, and I am more comfortable here.