It is here, October Rain. Change is happening. Fall woke from its slumber and said it was time to go. Autumn put on its slicker and its yellow rain cap and smoked a pipe. ‘It is a bit hot for October 6th,’ Autumn said thoughtfully as he puffed on his meerschaum pipe. ‘I must shake sleep from my eyes and beard and set about my business,’ A noted. ‘Soon the kiddos will Trick or Treat and I must be prepared,’ A considered. ‘The rain will settle the dust of the hot summer and focus the mind on important matters,’ A smiled. ‘Would you like a cup of mulled cider, Equinox dear?’ Autumn asked his wife. ‘I have been steeping it on the hearth,’ A smiled.

‘I did not sleep well,’ Equinox said. ‘It has been too hot,’ Equinox explained. ‘Usually by October 6th, we have chilly mornings and crisp days in the Woods,’ E laughed. ‘Then leaves are falling dry on to the ground,’ E observed. ‘The Old Man crunches through them on his daily walk,’ E laughed. ‘He snaps thousands of photos,’ Equinox winked. ‘Old Man walks with his Guardian Angel,’ E observed. ‘They laugh and talk as the leaves fall,’ E grinned.

‘Do you think that the rain will hurt the rhubarb?’ Mr. Fox asked Mr. Badger. ‘Tomorrow we must unmoor the boat and take a trip down the river,’ Mr. Fox said. ‘Let’s ask Mr. Mole to join us as he is always up for some messing about in boats,’ Fox exclaimed. ‘Of course Mr. Toad must come if we can pry him away from his motor car,’ Fox observed. ‘Ratty will want to come along if he is not already involved in a fall adventure,’ Fox noted.

‘What a glorious day for a boat ride,’ Mr. Toad exulted. ‘I see Mr. Great Blue Heron and Little Blue as well as Mr. Beaver and the Frog Quartet,’ Mr. Toad enthused. ‘The Frogs are motioning us over to them,’ Mr. Toad laughed. ‘Oh my heavens, this is wonderful indeed, they want me to join them for a solo as they sing back up to my vocal incantations,’ Mr. Toad danced on one foot and then the other with his face toward the sky.