41ºF, clear: welcome, Fall. Finally / at last / at long last / until it isn't, which might be tomorrow, given that it's Ohio and there are two and a half seasons, Summer, Winter, and Not-Summer/Not-Winter.

While I feel somewhat dirty including the two in the same breath, it does make for a useful (if only for me) contrast in the act of lamenting the passing of distant people: Whereas QEII's passing was more of a historical fascination – there will be another queen – not in my lifetime, probably/certainly, but there will be another – and an answer to "what happens when" – the news of Hilary Mantel's is a brutal punch because we won't be getting more Hilary Mantel books. One of the best writers who ever lived: If you haven't read the Cromwell series, read it NOW. So, so good.

Totally off the subject and profoundly unrelated to one another but a.) ABBOTT ELEMENTARY is every bit the delight its not-inconsiderable accolades suggest and then some and b.) I managed to get the trash out on time yay victory etc etc.