After several days of overcast and rain, the sky cleared as the moon was nearing full. It’s stayed clear as the moon wanes. Most nights Trav and I have gone out moon walking. I carry a little flashlight in my pocket, but the moon is bright enough to light my way and show our shadows.

Tonight the waning moon was hiding. Finally I spied it, glowing through a long thin gap in the clouds above the West Tisbury School. When we got home, Trav slurped water while Ms. Moon reappeared among the trees, a little later and a little smaller than in the photo above.

Winter arrived officially at 12:11 this afternoon, but it’s been in the 50s (F) all day. It’s 53 now. No need for a hat: a warm wind tangled my hair as I walked. My fleece vest hung open over my sweatshirt. I would have left it on its hook if it didn’t have dog biscuits in one pocket and string cheese in the other.

Not for the first time, I thought how fortunate I am to be able to go walking at night down dark lonely paths and dirt roads, with no fear for my safety. Freedom from fear is an ongoing revelation. Freedom from fear is even a little scary.

I had a breakthrough with Squatters’ Speakeasy this past week. I’d been afraid it was going nowhere, afraid it was crap, afraid I wouldn’t be able to figure out what it needed. I didn’t want to keep walking. What was the point if I wasn’t going anywhere?

Then there it was, the connection I needed. Now I’m walking through the dark. The wind is blowing. A nearly full moon is rising.