Endings

[rejectomorph]

The last long evening of the year has ended, and this will be the first truncated night, with light arriving much too early, the clocks having been set back. I always think of this event as the beginning of the long slide into winter. At least this year it was delayed a bit, the last day of October being a Sunday. That means that less than two months remain before the winter solstice. Early autumn is one of my favorite times of year, but the season deteriorates rapidly in November, and I have little affection for December, at least since I came to this northern place. But snow does not yet threaten, and there may yet be some mild and pleasant (though abbreviated) days in the next few weeks. This might even turn out to be the year when the weather is mild and clear for the viewing of the autumnal meteor showers. I almost never get to see those here, because of the nights are typically cloudy. Tonight is not cloudy, though, and despite the lack of a meteor shower, there is a nice waning moon out, and the air has warmed just a bit, so I'll be spending a while outdoors. I only hope I don't get eaten by whatever creature it was that growled at me last night.