Autumn...

It's a little weird - there are STILL a few fireflies around. I have never seen them so late. Nevertheless, it IS Fall here at the Manor, the days and nights are cooling down quite nicely, the evening's shadows are lengthening every day. We've got a good six to ten weeks now. To some it is a time of death, but to me, it is simply a time of transformation - and much more hospitable weather. One can now go outside without being literally raped by mosquitoes. It is Autumn at the Manor, the time when I think we look our best. And, (as usual), I am reminded of the past - hiking at Great Falls, the smell of raking and then burning leaves (it was legal, back then), watching for the turning of colors in all the foliage - and strolling through Old Town at night. This is when downtown Alexandria was at its height, shuffling down the cobblestones, kicking colorful leaves ahead of you, heading to Mason's Restaurant for a few at the bar in the basement.
The Fall is a time when one both looks with favor and fear upon the past and the future. It is a time of change, which can mean both progress and loss. The ancient Celts were quite correct in citing the last harvest as being a time when the dead come closest to the living, although I might argue that it is a psychological, rather than psychic, phenomena. We are at the border, in so many ways now at this time of year. At any rate, here are a few tunes for a mellow, yet mysterious, September evening...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-U18E8gWzVM&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cv5qLEYoSHM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9muzyOd4Lh8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y1hkwmNV-gs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-KPGh3wysw&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cYjgh-znxB4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGORPUzLxtU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKBttQmhDBw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hMc8naeeSS8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8_FOQ7-P30

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLMotU8Tu9E

See ya tommorow.