I spent the last week of August, in Elizabeth City.  It was the week just before Lyla started second grade.

It was hot, but we did manage a  walk , one morning.  We walked to a playground, which sadly, is always deserted.  The route is not as scenic as the walk to the “laughing river,  and it was  longer- but childhood days dwindle with a harsh speed and a playgound  will -in a twinkling,  lose its’ ” shine”  for my little grand darlings

.Another day, we made a “magic cake”.  Brynn, who loves to crack eggs,  was quite disappointed when I had her watch me instead, for the recipe called for meringue, which meant the eggs had to be separated . . she was not impressed with the process.  I had Lyla measure the ingredients for the meringue and handed her the mixer. It takes a while for the meringue to form.  We offered Brynn a turn, but she had forsaken us to play with a doll. I kept telling Lyla to watch the bowl, for the magic.  Moments later. she let out a gleeful shriek-and Brynn tossed the doll and came running. That mess in the bowl was now creamy and fluffy.  I took a chance and turned the bowl upside down as my mother used to.  This alarmed the girls at first-but the meringue stayed put and they were in awe.  After that, Brynn hung around to fold the meringue gently into the batter while Lyla beamed with satisfaction, at her grand accomplishment.

I came back to Bonnet street on Saturday morning, with a bit of melancholy about the climax of summer leisureB with the girls so I did what I always do, I went to work.   . . .I made home made  ravioli one day.  I baked bread one morning and worked in the yard with fervor every day.  I made scented pinecones this same week.

  A dear friend of mine, from Elizabeth City, came to see me one day. Laney and I met . through Miss Thelma, Jennys’ 93 year old neighbor. We became” fast friends”.  I admire Laney.  She cares for her ailing husband, and still finds time to help others.  We have many shared interests . . .plus she has chickens!  I always love people with chickens, it seems.  We had a lovely time.

Brynn and Ryan have September birthdays, so everyone gathered to celebrate,  last weekend. Brynn turned five, and Ryan turns four.  Delightful ages, I think.  Little Banks is walking with some assistance and will climb anything.  He sat on the porch for a while, examining fallen leaves . There was a beautiful sense of silent  wonder as he explored their texture and scent .  I felt like I was watching something beautiful.

 I do not disturb the children when they are discovering nor when they are imagining.  There are so many things to hinder the ability to concentrate deeply- for all of us-and I fear this is actually harmful.  When Ryan is building his castles or the girls are tending to their dolls . . . I leave them alone . .  to the wonderful business of childhood.

 “Out of the  blue”, my friend, Rae invited me to run an errand with her, one early morning.  I agreed as long as I didn’t have to get out of the car, for my house dress  already had splotches of dirt and water here and there.  I rode with her to pick up wild honey from a local beekeeper.  As it turns out, I recognized him as the parent of students I had taught.  A few days later, our friend Sara came  by and so Rae, Sara and I made another trip to the beekeeper.  This time, I was cleaned up and ready.  What a delightful time we had -and I am thrilled to have wild spring honey in my kitchen. ( I use honey in my coffee-and all my baked goods.)

Glory be!  It rained one afternoon!  The sunrise was dim,  that day with only a few rays of muted light splattering across a pale  sky.  Rain came a few hours later and I declare listening to it fall, acted like a tonic on me.  Since that enchanting afternoon, the air has been much cooler and a brisk breeze has blown steadily and merrily.

It has been many years since I have had  the liberty to truly celebrate the occasion of September. To immerse myself in its’ misted, silvery dawns and its’ bright and shining afternoons.   Oh! to watch the first of the falling leaves and then, there are the  moths “on the wing” in the twilight hours.   .I have always loved September. .