the balance of colossal forces

It seems strange to see the orange and black wings of a Monarch in late October, but every stroll along the field is accompanied by the splendor of butterflies. Not as many as early September, but I still see a dozen or more every walk.

We spent yesterday at doctors appointments and shopping for new dress shirts for Carm. He’s lost 35lbs so far and last year’s suit shirt billows on him. We found one, a light blue with little dots, and he also scored a funky new tie and metrosexual socks. Formal night here we come!

Before diet on our last day in Rome:

Same shirt today:

Today we got at it and finished unloading the camper and even got it winterized. I hate to use that term, winter shouldn’t be in the vocabulary just yet. In fact it seems like we are far from the white stuff as it is 20C with bright sun. A lovely day for something so depressing. Carm even cut some grass.

Of course now there are heaps of stuff at the bottom of the basement stairs, and still the odd thing on the table upstairs… I have to remind myself to breathe or anxiety starts to ride up. Mantra: It will all get tidied and before you know it next spring will be here and I’ll be moving everything back to its summer home…

“Marvellous!" he repeated, looking up at me.
"Look! The beauty--but that is nothing--look at the accuracy, the harmony. And so fragile! And so strong! And so exact!
This is Nature--the balance of colossal forces. Every star is so--and every blade of grass stands so--and the mighty Kosmos il perfect equilibrium produces--this.
This wonder; this masterpiece of Nature--the great artist.”
~Joseph Conrad