The heat has broken. Rain, all night and part of today, so needed for the gardens. We are beginning to harvest tomatoes: many, many tomatoes. This week I may have to learn a new skill, and make some salsa to can. I got a recipe from Andrea's mother-in-law, Joan Doran. Looks good. Looks like a lot of work.

I have been reading a lot, and not just summer reading. My sisters-in-law, Joanne and Genny, are both very good at finding good stuff and then sharing. I have just finished two novels, one quite stellar, the other very good. Try: Barbara Gowdy, the white bone Five stars & Nuala O'Faolain, my dream of you Four stars. The former is a Canadian author whose other works I will now seek out. I found that book at Value Village. Best 69 cents I ever spent. The other is a loaner, and, as you can probably extrapolate from the author's name, Irish.

I expect that this winter Dad and I will read some of these to my mother. My father continues to read aloud to her and they make their way through many recommended works. With them resident here for a good chunk of time, I should be able to give them quite a pile to enjoy. Dad won't have to go to the library: I have a small one here! One I think they will find fascinating, and which I think I have recommended before: The Golden Spruce. It is a story of the Haida Gwaii and a tree, and a mystery man. That's all I'll say...read the book.

Recently, due to the publication of Partners in Spirit, which is now being advertised for pre-order at Barnes & Noble (US), Amazon (UK) and Allbooks, I have had opportunity to connect with some old friends...Jonathan King, now of Austin, Texas, and Harsh Pancholi, just graduated in Victoria with a B.A. in Anthropology, among others. It is SO good to stay connected! My friend Hunter Goertz sent me a photo of himself and his brother Hans, scuba diving in Jamaica.

I am also working on writing, trying to get my next book finished up. Poems, too...some come each day.

A few leaves begin to turn colour. We live in a beautiful place to appreciate the fall. Tonight, a Baha'i feast to celebrate with the community.

I have a lot to be grateful for.