Fall is in the air and the wind blew gustily yesterday, the sky was all racing clouds and light. This morning I am watching heavy clouds encircle the patch of pure blue over the artist's house. 

Soon I will get into action and start being infinitely practical by cleaning floors and preparing the house for the open studio later this afternoon. I am having a slow start because I was working after the 90th birthday I went to last night. It was a lovely party; the birthday girl is in excellent form and had been quoting poetry to me earlier that afternoon. I was profoundly touched to have been asked and it was inspiring to see someone with such a straight-forward pleasure in life and the people around her.