It's still warm here.  Winter is a long time in coming.  Days are still up in the high 50's, lower 60's and no freeze in sight.  I don't remember it ever being as warm or sunny as it has been this fall.  One reason is that I am now living a life above the fray.  I only go up into the hills, to grace's school, her tennis lessons, her friends.  In my past life I headed down into the city.  There in the mornings when we drive out of the gate we can look down the hill and see the fog settled in.  Farther into the center that fog mixes with smog and there is that gray that I remember so well.  Up high, where the privileged live and play, they are above the mist and gray.  Sort of symbolic ain't it?  But even with this late season warmth, I miss autumn at home.  I miss that cold fresh ocean air.  The air here is too verdant, too closed.  Dear sisters do you remember that musty, ripe smell the gardens had in England?  That's what nature smells like here.  It's the smell of European soil.  It smells damp and full and really old.  Even my little condo garden smells like that, with it's weed-like ivy, and mold growing over everything.  Maine smells clean and new.  Can you tell I'm homesick?  We've been here 2 1/2 months and are settling in.  We have a routine going for the week days and have been pretty busy weekends.  But we still have that pull from home happening.  Oh well.  this too shall pass.  xxoo me