The sun is not about to relent its power in this corner of California I call home. Though we are more than ready for rains at this time of year, I am glad for every day of additional sun we get. The slant of light at this time of year reaches deep into the recesses of my brain, illuminating an oddly out-of-season happiness. Late, late October and most of November are the time of year I love the best. That the grasses that have been parched since the first heat wave of spring are green again, that certain bushes, like the bottlebrush by my window, put forth brilliant flowers all help with a feeling of renewal even as the year is diminishing everything from light to days to prospects.
Last Thursday was my last day on a job I held for almost 3 years. So now I am helping shore up that new high in the statistical achievements of the American economy by joining the more than 10 percent of the jobless hordes. Though I already have an offer for some part-time work, it doesn't come with any benefits or even a living wage. The only reason to accept it would be to keep working, but the work is along the lines of what had led me down a blind alley before. Or, I could take a leap of faith, and because I happen to be lucky enough to have enough support right now to see me through for a while, I could grab the oars of opportunity and head up the creek, so to speak....
