Autumn puts me at ease. We are slowing down, yet anxious to be outdoors: catching the last tinges of warmth on the breeze, the azure sky, the crisp-white clouds. I am feeling more domestic.  Baking ensues, the crockpot is dusted off, mums cut and placed in a mason jar, pine cones on the mantle. I hum and putter around my ’studio’ – a well-lit corner of the basement where I try be more regular about courting creativity. Friday night lights, College Gameday and Husker football on Saturdays. Hot breakfasts. All manner of piping hot drinks. Opening the windows, then closing them again. Wearing layers and scarves and hats and jackets. Extra blankets on the bed, and longer nights.

I’m sure this crisp turn in the weather will be old and grey come February, but for now, we savor it.  I’ll break open Cold Snap as Yearning again soon and try to look forward to spending a lot more time in the great indoors.