Some signs of autumn:

1. The heating comes on intermittently. It’s a relief: we’re always worried about the heating in This Old House every fall: we’ve had enough worries about it.
2. I wear jeans and flannel around the house. The mornings are chilly, as are the evenings: nothing is cozier than flannel.
3. There’s always hot coffee or a cup of tea at my side.
4. Saturday mornings are inside mornings.

Some more signs:

Birthday picnics continue into the darkness and include sweaters and oysters:.

I ask the Girl if she’d like to try one. The shells have her undivided attention; the goodies inside, less so.

“You want to try?” I ask.

She touches the freshly-steamed oyster, licks her finger, then says, “No! It’s gushy!”

More signs: Sunday night trick-or-treat.