MORE me

sunny, mild, temps 18

It started out cloudy and misty. The mountain beyond our field had disappeared. But as we drove to Cowansville the mist burned off. It was so gorgeous we had to stop the car, get out, and stare. The mountains covered in red, yellow, amber trees, coming out of the mists. Honestly, it made my heart ache.

Then we got in the car, drove to Cowansville and had endless cups of coffee and a stack of french toast (called pain dore here) covered in bananas and strawberries, with bacon - and maple syrup.

Almost as wonderful as the view. An edible view. Yum.

The mountain behind our home, when not shrouded in mist, is stunning. Not a home on it, not a building, ski run, antenna, road. No lights shine from it at night. It's perfect. In spring we watch as the light, young, green creeps up its slopes and doesn't reach the top until mid-June. Then in September it goes in the other direction. We watch as the very tip of the mountain turns red, orange, yellow. Then it crawls down the slope until now the entire thing looks like it's burst into flame. I wish I could capture all this in a photo for you. Michael tried, but our camera isn't good enough.

You'll have to imagine it.

Picked up a couple of magazines in Cowansville while Michael had his eye exam. MORE Magazine - the Canadian edition. It has Celine Dion on the cover (cover hog) and me inside. Not, it must be admitted, the entire contents. Some was given over to lesser lights. do you remember my telling you about the photo-shoot mid-summer? When they came with the 4,000 dollar Armani jacket? Well, if you get the latest copy of More you get a chance to see a worried looking author, and an Armani jacket. The next page has a photo of me looking doughy and vacuous. fortunately, the article is interesting.

The other magazine was Chateleine. The November issue. With Michael Buble on the cover. (cover Hog) and me inside. Granted, yet again I was forced to share it. But that was a fun article by a woman named Flannery Dean. It's a series she writes on people's perfect weekends.

The woman at the checkout must have thought I had a 'thing' for Celine and Mr. Buble. she pointed out that I had more than one copy of each. I agreed. But didn't tell her why. Better she think I had a thing for them, than the truth. I have a thing for myself.

Spent most of the afternoon editing. Then decided to do some fact checking on what I'd just edited...made some calls and discovered I had to go back and re-write some of it. But not much. I love research, though my books don't call for much. Such fun finding out about other parts of the world, or how people do things, and why.

Need to go. Found some great recipes in the Chateleine! And plan to run a bath and read both magazine...skipping that Penny woman, who insinuates herself everywhere.

We've also spent quite a bit of time watching BBC, CBS and even CNN...but I think you don't need to hear my take on things.

Be well - talk to you tomorrow.

Brightest near the end

drizzle, mild, temps 20

Cannot begin to describe how stunning the autumn leave are this year. It's by far the best season I can remember. Every third tree is amber, brilliant red, soft rose, yellow...with a background of green. The local ski hills have their tows operating these days, so that people can ride up and see the fall foliage for miles around.

It is breath-taking. Always is. But this year seems special. Even the old time townshippers say that. The colours are exquisite.

Today we moody - misty, clouds hanging low. But as Michael pointed out, that's even better. We don't need sunglasses, and so can see the colours in all their brilliance.

Had a meeting in Sutton last night, then we went out for a pasta dinner. When we got home I wrote the October newsletter. That felt good. This morning we needed to be in Knowlton for a few hours and I swear to God between the time we drove there and the time we drove back the leaves had changed even more!

Spent a few hours editing this afternoon. Poor Maggie - who broke a bone in her leg last winter and it won't heal, has hurt it again. She can't even put weight on it now. We're heading off to the vet first thing in the morning. Aren't dogs amazing? She limps around as though she only ever had three legs. Her tail wags, her eyes are bright and happy. And yet she must be in some pain. We gave her half a pain-killer pill (so glad Michael and I didn't eat them after all).

Just finished reading Linda Ellerbee's "Take Big Bites" - a series of essays, or short stories, based on her life and travels. Some are hysterically funny, some deeply moving without ever being maudlin. I highly recommend it.

Linda was a senior and highly respected journalist in American television. Was the first woman to co-anchor a network newscast (in the 80's). And was the inspiration for Murphy Brown. She's also a passionate, tireless campaigner for Breast Cancer (for some reason the capitals seem necessary) research being a survivor herself. Her best known book is "And So It Goes.' About her life as a journalist.

As a former journalist myself I have huge respect for her, so it was a great pleasure to get an email from her a few months ago saying she'd read all my books.

On another note, I was sad to hear about Paul Newman. Immediately thought about Joanne Woodward, and wondering how she's doing. But what a full life he lead. In my limited experience with people dying it always seemed Robbie Burns was right - If ye is no afraid 'a livin', ye is no afraid 'a dyin'.

Am off. Still trying to make amends for the Finnish Disaster (more capitals necessary) - tonight it's roast pork with cinnamon, and fresh beans from the organic garden. Unpoached.

Stay well.