It rained, today. While most begrudge a rainy, cold Friday, I revel in it. There is something anticipatory about a damp, gray Friday, a precursor to fleece pajamas, lazy Saturday mornings, beef and barley soup simmering on the stove.  A second-pot-of-coffee type of weekend.

Plus, a rainy Friday in October is a hint of what is to come. It is a reminder to dig through the Rubbermaid tubs for turtleneck sweaters and over-the-knee cable socks; dust off my leopard print galoshes and search for pairs of gloves.

Winter is just around the corner, or so the staccato of the Friday rain told me.