This was a day I felt grateful for, all day long. After waking and opting to get up and get started with a morning Zazen, we walked the dogs and stopped and talked with multiple neighbors along the way. We met the new neighbors across the street on Anne because their dog ran over to ours. Across a busy street no less. But it was good to make a connection. We talked with Edna and Joan and Tom and Danise too. AND a new connection, a routine running in the court, Lynn. I noticed an inclination to want to not engage so I could "go about my business" while also appreciating the simple connections as they unfolded. Jen went with me to pickup the kids Birth Certificate's that I wanted as 'backups' while giving them their own copies as desired. It's time. We stopped at a nursery and picked up the remaining plants and ground coverage for the rebate requirements and Jen will plant them tomorrow. I setup one of the camera's outside on the back patio to hopefully capture some activity with gophers, but I need better cameras. These are sub-par. I'll be on Temu in the morning. :-). Jen made an excellent chicken dish for dinner but then again, doesn't she always. I'll have to take over cooking once she starts working full time or we'll revert to the Matson based routine of bulk meal prep. She went to Marc and Christy's to hang out and I stayed home to give out candy. I listened to "War of the Worlds" for my annual homage. I love doing so every year it's really grounding. After about an hour and a half Jen texted me to set out the candy and come over and I did. An onslaught of trick-or-treaters descended on the block as I uncovered and prep'd the mini, and I left shortly after they continued down the street. Going to Marc and Christie's was a blast - really active engaged neighbors, firepit setup outside, wine, food, and full size candy bars.It was fun meeting and talking to people and reflecting on the positive experiences of my youth and time with my kids too. It was a reminder of how fast things pass and how valuable it is to remain connected to the greater experiences going on instead of being self-obsessed. We retuned home and to my surmised there was candy left over after all! People didn't just take it all. That was reaffirming, too.