Hello October.

Oh, hi!  How are you doing?

I'm doing well, thanks.  When did you get here?

Last week.  Didn't you notice?  And now I've made the world all rainy and cold.

I noticed, but I haven't had very much time to sit and think about you, dear October, because you've been blowing a lot of things in my direction all at the same time, and I've been forgetting to eat.

Eat, Jessica, eat!

Yes, thank you, I'm working on that.  I have been forcing myself to eat greasy cheeseburgers and french fries as much as possible this week because none of my pants fit me anymore, and I am too poor to buy more pants.

Have you been running?

Hardly, because the back of my left knee/upper calf has started to hurt me a lot when I run for more than 25 minutes, and I am trying to listen to my body.  I have been taking long walks through my neighborhood and dancing and swimming sometimes instead.  And last night I took a long, long bath in the dark.  It was nice.

Have you found a place to live yet?

No, not yet.  But I have some possibilities floating in the air, and I feel remarkably calm and peaceful about that situation.  Something is going to work out at the right time.

Have you applied to grad school yet?

No.  Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!  The stress.

You better get on that.

I know!  I am trying.

Well, Jessica, all I will say is good luck.  You've got this.

Thanks October.  I like you.