I know my deck time is limited as the storm moves into The Miami Valley but I’ll hang on until the very last minute.

About an hour ago I received an alert for a severe thunderstorm warning and it’s beginning to look fierce.

Mama Kay delivered my China Cottage order of six containers of creamy chicken soup and a vegetable entree in white sauce. I’ve downed one container and will empty the remaining five over the next several days.

I’m still ramped up from last night’s book discussion on Mrs. Lincoln and my mind is kaleidoscopic with ideas.

The wind has picked up a bit more; the leaves are grabbing tighter to branches while others turn into red, yellow, and orange gliders surfing overhead.

A speck of sunlight pushed through the heavy grey, spotlighting the deck but for a few seconds.

The wind whips up the smell of autumn…