Lingering Light in Late Autumn

Last night was a perfect night for an outdoor gathering at one of our local breweries, Appalachian Mountain Brewery in Mills River.  We were there a month ago, and half of us spent a good part of the night squinting into the setting sun.  Last night, we sat at a different table and didn't have that problem.

We chose that brewery because they have a full kitchen.  Last night I had an amazing salad with steak on it, much better than last time's felafel.  Both times I got fries, and both times, they were amazing.

Driving home, the moon rose over the mountain range, full and huge.  Even if I had a different camera, I doubt I could have captured the full impact.

It's hard not to think about the end of Daylight Savings Time this week-end.  The weather may continue to be glorious, like it has been for much of October, but evening will come crashing down on us much earlier.  I don't always find that aspect of late autumn to be oppressive, but it might affect the planning of outdoor events.

When we have a good neighborhood gathering, like we did last night, I immediately want to plan a repeat event.  In part, last night's event was born out of that impulse.  In part, it was born out of my overextended brain and my inability to come up with anything different right now.

But why should I come up with something different?  We won't have these warm days much longer, at least not here in the mountains of North Carolina, and we won't have lingering light in the late afternoon much longer.