A Halloween Afternoon

This was, and remains, my favorite holiday, sort of the culmination of my favorite month. It was cold today but sunny and there is still much foliage and color. I will not be decorating or giving out treats this year, but that's okay. Next year we will be in Valparaiso and in an area that has tons of children and many of the houses go all out for the season. It'll be fun.

We had a marvelous time on Sunday, as we were able to get into the new house for the afternoon to do measurements and to just get the feel of the place some more. We have a pretty good idea of what room will serve which function, where our existing furniture will fit, who gets what closet, etc., and how to deal with the kitchen in its current state, as doing an overhaul is out of the question until this house sells. But the energy of the location and the layout of the place is so encouraging. Even on a Sunday afternoon it had the feeling of a "real town", in Steve's words, cars and pedestrians with places to go, and people of all ages. Afterwards we met up with Nick and Amy and we all went out for Chinese food. Nick did the driving and it was so cool to be gadding about in town on a Sunday night, where there were many window-shoppers amongst people coming and going to restaurants and the ice cream parlor, and all of it within the same neighborhood. The kids live and work within walking distance of our new house. It amazes me that this is happening, soon to be everyday life in a mere five weeks!

Today was nonetheless a good Halloween. I've been in touch with my pals from 'way back, and negotiating with a favorite young artist about buying this house. If he and his wife are able to do it, it will make us feel that this place will be in good hands, and what we've done here will continue on, a sort of legacy of art and gardens. I hope it does indeed work out.