On these clear bright days of autumn, it’s hard to remember summer’s swelter or to believe in the rumor of winter. But the first time I turn the thermostat from Cool to Heat, the turn of the season gets real. This year I’m trying to embrace winter instead of bracing against it. Because Casserole Days are coming, when I’ll crave something cheesy and saucy and carby for dinner. With a side of bread. Down-Parka Days are coming when I’ll have to browbeat myself into layers and thick leggings and a beanie to go for a walk. Black Dog Days are coming when the outer darkness pulls on the leash of my soul and tries to take me down. Hunker Down Days are coming when I get wrapped up in a blanket and a long, unserious book. Faux Snow Days are coming when I hang around all day in an old, ragged cashmere sweater and flannel pajama pants and pretend that I'm in middle school and school has been cancelled. I’m ready for you, Winter—let's snuggle.

The Author Clock won’t be available until April, but I can barely wait. This genius clock is a Kickstarter project, and it’s already exceeded the $20,000 they hoped to raise. In 36 hours more than $300,000 had been pledged, and the money keeps coming in. The clock draws on a huge collection of literary quotes from the past 600 years to display quotations that mention the specific time for every single minute of the day. 

When the weather gets cool, I start drinking Barry’s Tea with raw sugar and a tiny bit of milk. This Irish company makes a big, burly brew that reminds me of the cups of strong, sugary tea my grandfather made me for breakfast when I was just a kid. It takes me right back to the table in that kitchen whose heart in winter was a big woodburning range

You may already know the late Brian Doyle from his remarkable, unforgettable essay about 9/11 called Leap. That’s how I first knew of him, but when I discovered the short Epiphanies columns he published on The American Scholar website, I spent a couple of hours browsing the archive, only coming up for air to save some for later. On the same website is his short essay called Joyas Voladoras. This piece starts out focused on the tiny miracle of a hummingbird, but it opens to encompass the whole human heart.