Last night of summer.

Opposite our house, 2 hours ago.

I was going to post this morning, write about how productive I was going to be, and how I was in preparation mode for equinox tomorrow. But I didn't, because 2012's motto is,

The best-laid schemes o' mice an' men
Gang aft agley,
An' lea'e us nought but grief an' pain,
For promis'd joy!
- To a Mouse, Robert Burns

And so I just got on with it, and now, quarter past eight, dark, three hours and forty five minutes left of summer, everything's tidy, clean, and in place (with the exception of the spare bedroom, which is a spider nest and I refuse to go in it let alone pick things up!).

The sky is lovely here: black, apart from in the west where it is dark green with a thin, black cloud stretched over the centre. There's a crescent moon, sometimes visible, in the south, a slight breeze, and outside is wet from the on and off rain we've had all day. I'm drinking Old Jamaica Ginger Beer, the budgies are on their perch watching out for Big C returning home, and I think when he does we'll be lighting the cold fire. It's chilly, and I'm looking forward to a hot bath.

And I'm thinking of autumn; I'm thinking what I'll write tomorrow for autumnal equinox. I'm thinking of reading tonight: this afternoon, the postman came with a parcel - a copy of The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, which Adam so kindly sent me. A beautiful edition, as well; so exciting! I'm also reading The Little Stranger finally, by Sarah Waters. I'm not so far into it, but I really am enjoying it. I'm looking forward to Big C coming home, watching TV maybe, having that hot path, and having an early night. I'm looking forward to tomorrow, and writing my autumn thoughts!