I have waved goodbye to the departing relative and several packed boxes, all headed west when the sun will be in the east, and hopefully arriving at the next stop before the sun is in drivers' eyes. One needs a strategy for how to drive through the Texas Sierra Blanca checkpoint when driving a pickup truck with a canopy. I'm sure there will be no delay as they pass through, but having things positioned so an investigation is easy is always prudent.

Anticipating this visit I brought in several boxes and didn't break down others because I wasn't sure what I'd need this week, but now I can tidy the sun room and flatten and store the corrugated clutter. Last spring I inherited a dozen large boxes that are almost completely filled with the dissolvable cornstarch packing peanuts, and I've drawn down three so far. I have a roaster oven to list on eBay (just in time for Thanksgiving!) and another one will be handy for that. They're stored out of the way in the garage and represent a tidy savings toward my eBay shipping costs.

Today is our first nice-feeling fall day. It has been cooling here finally, but was still packed with summery humidity—until now. I did a little weeding in the garden yesterday afternoon, but this really feels like good yard work weather. And it's time to get out another blanket, leave a couple of sweaters handy, and more than that, it's finally time to start cooking again!

A second cuppa tea and the dogs have gone back to sleep now that the early morning departure is over. They enjoyed having company here, especially an extra human who likes to talk to dogs.