Octobre

It really truly is October now (also in France, in case you're wondering about the spelling). When we were down there last weekend the leaves in Jardin de Luxembourg were turning brown and falling off. "Surprising!" we boasted, since the leaves in Amsterdam were all still green and clinging. But yesterday in the Vondelpark I noticed gold -- full green trees all haloed in yellow on the topside, actually, quite dramatic. I photographed them with my mobile -- guess the photo will stay there forever in all its minimalist resolution. Today I wanted to photograph the trees outside our house, with a few leaves turning yellow and framed by the golden October afternoon... but I couldn't find the camera. Turns out Mr. Cat took it with him to St. Pete's.

On the subject of weather, it was decidedly chilly today. It was also the Amsterdam Marathon and I think chilly is good for running (last year it was a bit warmer but drizzly). I think chilly is good for running and also especially good for getting cramps once you stop running. Although, come to think of it, running a marathon is probably good for that anyway.

I had a bagel with hummus and aubergine (yurpean for eggplant) for lunch from the Jewish bagel people by Stadionplein. They're open on Sunday and I had to park the car away down there because we live on the opposite side of a road (Stadionweg) from church and said road was closed due to the marathon. I walked along the marathon in the afternoon for a few blocks but then turned left along some water, found a bench, and watched the fowl. Large flock of white (mostly) geese and a few mallards, occasional flock of seagulls or pigeons or whatever have you.

It is late and I shall go to bed.