I broke out my macro lens and did not have to look far for a fascinating subject.

I stopped on the way home from my soccer match this morning to capture this scene. I had to fight my way through brush and brambles and then jump out onto a log in the river to get this view. The match was a big disappointment. Had we won, we would have placed first in our division and been promoted to the next level. With 25 seconds remaining in the match we gave up an own goal and had to settle for a 1-1 tie. There is still a mathematical possibility we will win the division but we let a certain championship slip through our fingers.

Maya and her good friend Sarinnagh are sitting by the side of the road, watching the horses in the field across the street. Maya scored 4 goals in her game this morning.

Today, I sold my Mercedes SUV. She served me well, and I will remember her fondly. Alas, the Audi is now averaging 35mpg to work, and I feel more environmentally conscientious.

Another touch of color from a bouquet I gave to Jeanine.

A serene scene from this morning.

Yellows have not been too bad this year. Downtown Concord.

Kyle and Nicolai comparing their hauls.

Maya and her friend Julie are preparing to make their trick-or-treat excursion. Maya ran almost the entire route, leaving the father exhausted. She did not fall for the “do you want me to carry your candy ploy,” nor did she feel compelled to offer me candy in exchange for the protection from swamp monsters I provided all evening.

Nico was a cheerleader for Halloween. Maya says he is weird.

After an early snow yesterday, today turned out to be a glorious fall day. Jeanine spent some time in the garden, and Carl spent a little time leaf peeping.

The day started and is ending now with Maya reading to her mother. Both boys lost soccer matches today. Carl’s team had a 5-0 win and needs only one more victory to win their division. It was Jeanine’s family night and the theme was charity. Each child was asked to select a charity and decide how much they wished to contribute from their own money. Next all three were asked to select a single charity they could all agree on for a family charity. At the time of this writing consensus on this point remains unreached.

We had the first snow of the season today. This is the first time I’ve seen our burning bush at peak color covered in snow.

Maya playing in her Halloween piano recital.