A slow start to the cold season

November

The first frost came a week later than last year. The river path is still open in the mornings, and the fog sits low enough that the far bank disappears before nine.

I have been keeping a short list of what works on these walks: a thermos that actually seals, wool over cotton, and leaving the phone in the inside pocket where the battery survives.

Sharpening, again

October

Three stones are enough. Most of the improvement comes from holding a steady angle, not from the grit number printed on the box.

Notes on a small garden

September

The late tomatoes did better against the south wall. Next year the beans go where the squash was, and the squash goes somewhere it cannot take over the path.