I looked away and two months slipped by me. Hello there, how have you been? Has the spirit of Fall wrapped around you as well, all gold and red and scented by wood smoke? Isn't it just the most perfect time of year?

I'm sitting in the pink room today, soft lamp light and candles, the sounds of light rain and hungry finches at the feeders coming through an open window. I'm half tempted to lie down at the foot of the bed, close my eyes and just drift off. I was lucky enough to have three days away from the dreaded job and I'm savoring every last second of it, no naps allowed!

So this is what I know today, abbreviated as it may be...

A puppy named Inu, Japanese for 'dog', is growing big and strong after a scary start that included emergency surgery to fix a rare intestinal condition. He's my daughter's dog, a beautiful Golden Retriever that we drove late into an autumn night, far into the country in North Carolina to pick up. He's thoughtful, smart, and yes, he does have my heart.

There's a new roof on the house. And most of the privacy fence is in place. New windows have been installed, double glass, shutting out lots of noise and dust. Regrettably several trees had to be removed, the giant magnolia that loomed over the second floor being one. And two volunteer catawbas that came up many years ago and went unchecked until their demise a month ago. I do feel guilt over the loss of these, even if they were a threat to the house and power lines. To a sensitive this is what is meant by "the cost of progress." Onward, I suppose. Don't look back.

A small wage increase was granted after a coworker spoke to the chef about things I'd confided to him. My pay rate wasn't the issue. Being passed over for advancements without presenting me with a reason, or a plan for improvement was the issue. The history is too great to know where to start, so perhaps I won't even bother. This place on the internet is mine, I'll do what suits me best from moment to moment, even if it means the view of my life ends up a bit skewed by the random bits of information I surrender here.

There is a part of me that thinks it would be healthy to give away my secrets: all the regrets, the heartbreaking moments of the past that so very cleverly dictate all of my tomorrows. To obliterate all my yesterdays with their hard won battles and often revisited tragedies and just start all over again. A clean slate, a blank canvas. What would it be like to whitewash these walls? Ah, but that's just not me. I'm in love with nostalgia, even the kind that hurts just a bit. And yet...