seattle autumn

It's one of those fall days in Seattle where it doesn't exactly rain, but it doesn't exactly not rain either. It's not warm today, but not really cold either. Today has no distinguishing characteristics other than its utter absence of distinguishing characteristics.

Everything is still, even in places with lots of traffic.

It's a good day to be inside, in a snug little overheated apartment in the Ravenna Park neighborhood or a rented flat in Ballard or a second-floor walkup in Greenwood or a one-bedroom bungalow in West Seattle. Time to get a log going in the fireplace, cook a pot of tea, turn on the radio (NPR "All Things Considered," of course), and stare idly out the window at the unweather outside.

It's a good day to have a cat on your lap, and an excellent day to not work.

Back in the day, the Indians got all their work done in the summer and early fall, then retired into cedar buildings for the late fall and winter, and spent their time feasting, socializing, and dancing -- activities to which the season here lends itself.