Back home in the upper midwest now, late August, and its hot. The world around me hangs heavy. Heavy air,  plants heavy with vegetables. Everything seems ripe.

It is that semi-magical time of year, when I get back to school, meet with new students and the whole thing starts over. Soon it will be the real fall: cool air, leaves changing, and crisp. For now I won't think about winter.

On a side note, I took this quick picture of a flower, in a vase, on my kitchen table --with my phone. I continue to be amazed at the quality of quick little i-phone pictures.