Summer's end.

It has been a lovely, laid-back summer, filled with rest, recreation and re-runs, but autumn has arrived.  How do I know?  Let me count the ways.

I've watched all the temporal milestones drifting past over these past few weeks.  The first day of school.  Labor Day.  The fall equinox.  Rosh Hashana.

I've felt the cooler air.  Smelled the crispness (and yes, crispness does have a smell).

Above all, I have sensed the clarity.

Ironically, I'm not sure I can be very clear in telling you what I mean by that, at least not at the moment.  I can try.

The sky is a brighter blue.  The stars are sharper.  Everything stands out more.

I've been carrying the idea of clarity with me all year long, in any case.  It's been my goal for the year.  I wished for it at the winter solstice, choosing a small chunk of ruby to serve as a reminder to me, a symbol of that wish.

Then, at the height of summer, I had an epiphany.  I'm not sure I can be very clear in telling you about that, either, but I'll try:

Ruby!  Ruby slippers!  There's no place like home!  It's been right here all along!  I've always had the power!  All I've ever had to do is claim it!  I can claim it right now!


Well, maybe you had to be there.  :)