One great thing about using powdered milk paint for frames is that I can mix up only the two or three teaspoons that I need at a time and minimize waste. Another great thing is that to get 4-oz. jars for mixing such small amounts, I have to make a lot of pimiento cheese.

packet of powdered milk paint, small jar, paintbrush, measuring spoons, and a green-painted frame

Hosing out the garbage dumpster this morning I thought, “M is for maggots!” and found myself composing a sort of Young Victorian’s Guide to Pestilence.

A is for ANTS, that march in formation,
Ravage our picnic and consume our collation.

B is for BEDBUGS, that nip in the night—
So shake out your mattress, and make it up tight!

C is for COCKROACH, whose nocturnal skittling
Frightens the maid, and ruins the victualling.

There being no call for this whatever, I’ll stop there.

If people go down to the end of the town, well, what can anyone do? Not much, it seems. Not much at all.

Not knowing what to choose from my fall CSA last week I got triple green tomatoes and this morning made green tomato marmalade from Putting Food By (3d edition, 1982), which may be over the years my most-consulted cookbook. Lemon makes it gel; the tomato gives an earthy undertone.

I posted a page of frequently asked questions about my carving for those who can’t come to shows in person to ask them.

Suggested listening for October: The first season of RKO’s The Shadow, starring Orson Welles. (And in case you find yourself wondering, Blue Coal really was blue).

Yesterday was the equinox and whoop-de-do for astronomy, but if you think of “day length” like any sensible person who just wants or needs to do stuff outside, you would use not sunrise and sunset but first and last light: something like civil twilight. By that standard, we won’t have equal day and night here in central North Carolina until about the 19th of October.

But if, on the other hand, you don’t do stuff outside… why do you even care?

“The Country of Marriage” (7"x12") titled after Wendell Berry’s 1973 book of poems. (The birds are modeled on sandhill cranes, so I should maybe have found a title from Aldo Leopold?) N.B. the frame is meant to evoke sunset and autumn leaves, not to go with your décor. Thanks for supporting etc.

chip carving: two birds soaring over trees, with a rosette sun; frame is chip carved with geometric pattern and painted orange-red

More fun for the whole family: The North Carolina Liver Mush Festival in Shelby, October 17. I don’t believe I’ll be in attendance, I just want to make sure y’all are apprised of your options.

Added to my platform: Tax breaks for bands with brass sections.