Blazing autumn

I had a few hours with Sue this afternoon: poring over her photographs of the Dordogne, asking questions, listening to her descriptions of buttery sandstone villages, lauze rooftops, cream-colored stone churches, spectacular topiary gardens. She loved the cliff-dwellings, crumbling castles, limestone cliffs, caves. Patisseries, tobacco sheds, farmer's markets, and cutting-edge museums of culture and history. The long, long walks through forests, fields, and river valleys were taxing, but she did have a fine time.

After a couple of hours in front of her computer, we went out for a stroll around the neighborhood in its peak foliage. Two years ago when the leaves were in full color, she was recuperating from a terrifying automobile accident. Now she's back to pruning bushes, working out at the gym, and raking leaves. Miraculous. 

I left her at dusk at a rehearsal of Portland's Extinction Rebellion Red Rebel Brigade for an action coming up soon.