Monday. A few impressions from this a.m.:

Left the driveway bundled in knit hat & black fleece. It's truly N.W. fall now. Rain falls lightly--puddles on blacktop reflect grey skies. Zeno pulls to the north side of the street--the hazlenut tree next sweet elderly neighbor's drive a draw for him. Approaching the hazelnut tree, the round green leaves have a sheen of moisture, and there, by the cluster of grey hazel stems, a small fir tree has sequestered itself, as if trying to pass itself off as an understory fern.

We crossed from Ainsworth to Simpson on the unfinished road at 46th. I wondered at myself, taking this road in wet weather--the steep uphill part of the road is plain dirt, but I'm drawn to take it anyway. As we enter on the gravel, the rain becomes heavier. I enjoy this path because it feels as if I've come to the deep dark forest, right here in N.E. Portland! I find the steep dirt part of the path has not become slippery . . . yet?

I believe there is construction activity going on at Killingsworth street, just south of us. The loud banging & sudden "whop!, clop! boom!" coming regularly from that direction, added to her fear of rain, have frightened Tiger, and she slinks along, pulling at her leash.

On my way back east on Simpson, a lovely young African-American woman strides briskly out from the side street. Dressed in black slacks & jacket, she turns west on Simpson, after we exchange quiet greetings. Approaching 55th, there is a large Black Walnut tree. One gigantic tree composed of three trunks--is this the growth habit of Black Walnuts? Walking north on 55th, a neighbor has put piles of apples and pears out on her front yard with a sign--FREE APPLES AND PEARS! This is a land of plenty--at least, plenty of fruit!