Laurie, you knew I’d find a way to use my beloved Mary Blair in a blog post! When I first saw the pumpkin patch, I thought of babies waiting to be adopted by the just-right families. But then I thought of latent magic, the nothing-is-what-it-seems kind of magic in ordinary things, like slumbering pumpkins.

Mel! You had surgery? You broke your foot? I think I remember you telling me in September, but then I can’t remember anything. Your photos are stunning and we are *all* jealous of your flowers on this coast. The leaves are putting on a pretty show but that will be over soon and we’ll be left with gray and brown . . . and white, if we’re unlucky!

And I’m happy to know there’s a new book coming out. Can’t wait.

Maybe they serve pumpkin pie in that coach instead of bottled water and snacks in the mini-bar.

Here’s to both of us enjoying fall (even the raking) and getting the work done. We can’t stay in the patch forever!

You were also one of the few I told because we’re that close. You cheer on all of my small victories and I’m so grateful we met more than ten years ago in the Philly airport. I wish my pumpkin coach would wisk me to Montana one of these days for a long in-person chat.

Mona, sometimes a very long time . . . but when we wake up, watch out!

I love my new pumpkin shell! Good thing I have mice to help ferry me about, because I’m wearing Cinderella’s slipper, albeit with a twist. 🙂

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