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Author: Anne Cassidy

Morning After

Morning After

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It dawned clear and bright today, a marked difference from Monday and Tuesday’s rain and drizzle. The skies had already cleared by the time I reached the polling place last evening, and a glorious sunset was underway, clouds purpled by the setting sun.

A tempting omen, but we’re beyond omens, I think. Or at least I am. What I want is harmony, and yesterday’s election will not produce it, at least not in the short term, though at least there will be a much-needed check and balance.

I do know that I’ve started praying for our country every night, along with the people I love. I should have been praying for it all along, I realize. But it didn’t seem to need it like it needs it now.

The Gold Standard

The Gold Standard

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I’m thinking back to Sunday’s afternoon walk. The day later than the clock said it was, Copper tugging on the leash. I dropped my shoulders, told myself there was nothing to do but enjoy the briskness, the trees at peak color.

We’re not known for autumn splendor in northern Virginia. Spring is our time to shine. But still, there are moments when the sun slants in fetchingly from the west and the leaves catch it and reflect it back.

I tried to capture that by snapping some photos. But as usual, it’s not just the shot I want, it’s the way the air feels and the sound of tiny birds peeping, the creek gurgling and (of course) the drone of a leaf blower. You’re never deep enough in the Folkstone woods that you can’t hear that.

But when the leaves are swirling around and collecting in golden circles at your feet, it doesn’t much matter.

Time and Illusions

Time and Illusions

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I always feel this way when we have a time change, that if it’s this easily manipulated, then what does it mean, anyway? If one day 11  a.m. is at 11 a.m. and the next day it’s at 10 a.m., then why don’t we consider more drastic options?

Could we say today is Friday and be done with the week?  Could we skip right past the midterm elections and the interminable analysis that will follow them?

For that matter, can we move right along to next spring? That would be best of all.

“People like us who believe in physics know that the distinction between past, present and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion,” Einstein said.

In these first dark days of Eastern Standard Time, I’m believing more in physics than I ever have before.

Calm Souls

Calm Souls

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A warm and windy All Souls Day, the trees finally fall-like after weeks of holding their green.

Crows caw, a sound familiar this time of year, which I often think of as a shoulder season, pausing at the top of the roller-coaster, almost time for the cacophony of year-end celebrations.

Many things are different now, with one daughter living far away, but it wouldn’t be a holiday season without a little cacophony, so I think it’s safe to say that will be true this year as well.

I am taking the calm when I can get it, then. The warm and windy calm. The calm that holds within it all matter of rustlings and bustlings. Which is, perhaps, the only kind of calm we can claim.

Warm and Golden

Warm and Golden

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A walk today when the sun was still high in the sky — or as high in the sky as it gets these days.

A walk through tunnels of autumn leaves — or as autumnal as they get around here.

It was a different kind of October, but at times a warm and golden one. Today I felt that warmth in my bones.

Halloween Solo

Halloween Solo

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Awaiting the visit of little ghosts and goblins tonight, and for the first time awaiting them solo. I’ll be on both candy duty and Copper duty this Halloween, and am not quite sure how it all will work except that some chaos will be involved.

I usually see the girls (and now guys) for Thanksgivings and Christmases — but Halloweens not so much. I have an invitation from Claire to come hand out candy at her house, but I would miss the neighborhood kids, three of whom I’ve watched grow up and who will be moving out next month.

So I’ll try to carve the pumpkin and try to keep Copper occupied (or sedated) … and hope for the best.

It will be noble experiment.

Guido’s Venice

Guido’s Venice

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I’m not much of a mystery reader, but a few years ago I heard about Donna Leon’s Commissario Guido Brunetti series and decided to give it a try.

The books are set in Venice, a city I loved from the first moment I saw it (in my “Europe on $10 a Day” backpacking years).  Police detective Brunetti travels the city on foot or by vaporetti, savoring the sights of his native place and taking the reader with him each step of the way. Each story features a new bridge, square or quiet corner of “La Serenissima,” the “Most Serene Republic of Venice.”

Brunetti quotes the classics, adores his wife (the brainy and beautiful Paolo) and three-quarters of the way through every story, becomes discouraged and confused. He works his way out of every jam by using his smarts, often colluding with his boss’s assistant, Signorina Elettra, a clever young woman who finds a way (sometimes not quite legal) through every dilemma.

I often pick up a Leon mystery when I need distraction. But the books have a funny way of returning me right back to Real Life. This isn’t a bad thing, though, because I’m always a little lightened and calmed when I get back.

Old Dog, New Tricks

Old Dog, New Tricks

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They said it couldn’t be done. They said an old dog can’t learn new tricks.

But I know an old dog who’s learned one, learned more than one if you want to know the truth.

For the last couple of months, Copper has been visited by his doggie cousins, Reese and Bella, a pair of German shepherds being raised by Copper’s original “mama,” Claire. Claire loves doggies, and now she has about 160 pounds of doggies living in her house. But she still has room in her heart for her original “son.”

Copper, who can be a bit curmudgeonly and crotchety, originally reacted much as we thought he would when first Reese and then Reese and Bella came to visit.  He was standoffish and snarly.

But something happened to him when he finally got to know Bella. A younger female seemed like a dog he could handle. At first they just sniffed each other, but eventually they began to play. And now Reese, much larger, a male, is also included in the games.

Last night Copper (10 or more years their senior) led his doggie cousins on a merry chase, taking the corners of the yard like the mostly border collie that he is.

And … there was only one almost-fight … over an ice cube.

As far as I can tell we’ve had a canine miracle in these parts: An old dog learning a new trick!

Sweet Tea

Sweet Tea

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I’m not talking about the syrupy sweet iced tea found in southern climes, but about what I drink every morning, the piping hot brew of Barry’s Decaffeinated. Still, though it may not be quite as cloying as teeth-aching sweet tea, it is loaded with milk and sugar, especially sugar.

I’ve long since accepted my sweet tooth — would never try to drink my tea bitter and black. But what I would like to do is slowly reduce the amount of sugar I use. I’ve fantasized that I could figure out a way to do this crystal by crystal, a slow and steady de-sweetening that would lead me to healthier habits.

If not crystal by crystal, then maybe one-eighth (one-sixteenth?!) teaspoon by one-eighth teaspoon.

I may get stuck just one-eighth teaspoon into this scheme … but at least I would be trying.

Morning Post

Morning Post

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Lately, because of a new glitch in the blogging platform, I’ve been writing many of my posts the night before. This is not the way I like to blog. There is something about the morning that suits me.

Maybe it’s because the muse is more active at this time of day. Or maybe it’s because I’m closer to dreamscapes.

For instance, today I awoke near a border. It had to be with Mexico though in sleep I was convinced it was with Spain. It was sunny and hot. There was surveillance.

This was the not the meat of the dream, only a small side course. But it’s what stuck with me — and that it stuck with me at all is because I’m writing this in the wee hours.

The morning post. It’s not the only way to go, but I’m convinced it’s the best.