It breathes me.

A saying in yoga about how to imagine breath entering you from the universe: “It breathes me.” You are to picture the universe breathing you, instead of the other way around. Try it—it’s amazing.

Anyway, I feel the same way about fall: it breathes me.

Something about it makes me more open to moments of delight. Fall was breathing me while I watched 4-year-old dance to his new favorite tape. Which happens to be “I Wiggle My Torso” by Janeen Brady. Anyone else grow up on Brite music? I remember being so resentful of the evenings my mom spent away from home because she was selling Brite music in home parties like Tupperware. But I’d say all those nights without her were worth it for me to have the joy of watching this kid with his fuzzy headed buzz-cut “wiggling his torso” to the beat. ("I clap my hands; I stomp my feet; I wiggle my torso and then I repeat. My hands, my feet, my torso once more--jump up, turn 'round, then fall on the floor.")

And I ate heavenly homemade carrot soup for lunch. And homemade salsa with my chips. (Just some other examples of fall breathing me.)

Here’s the recipe:

Carrot Chowder

Brown 1 lb. hamburger. (I was thinking today that this could probably work really well with black beans instead of meat.) Drain fat, then add:
½ t. salt
½ t. garlic salt
½ t. pepper
1/3 c. chopped celery
½ c. diced green peppers
1/3 c. chopped onion.
Cover and simmer on low until veggies are tender (10 min.). Meanwhile, combine in a large saucepan and bring to a boil:
1 ½ c. water
4 c. tomato juice
2 cans cream of celery soup
2 ½ c. grated carrots
1/8 t. marjoram
1 t. sugar.
After it comes to a boil, add the meat mixture and simmer for 30 minutes. Serve with grated swiss cheese on top.

Tastes like fall in a bowl. Tastes like heaven.