Like Ribbons Left Fluttering

My 2024 Octoberish List

Near our new home in Divonne-les-Bains, France (photo by the author)

I once again live in a place with a long, glorious autumn! I’m reveling in every moment, whether blustery or misty, chilly or cozy, golden or gray. Longtime readers know that for me, October isn’t just spooky season; it’s the somber, savory beginning of the global north’s graceful descent towards darkness at the year’s end.

I don’t know about you, but I’m getting increasingly irritated with AI taking over the internet. Fake images and ersatz, circular writing dominate, doing nothing but wasting my time and making me mad.

For me, even the cleverest algorithm can’t take the place of honest, human, word-of-mouth suggestions. Accordingly, here are 13 wonderful things I’ve collected the old-fashioned way over the past year to help you get your saudade on this fall. As always, I don’t get paid for my recommendations.

ONE: I went through all my past Octoberish posts to double check, incredulous that I’ve never featured The Gloaming before.

First of all their name, am I right? One of my favorite words ever. And check out their album covers: One, Two, and Three. Whenever they’re together, these Irish virtuosi remake the very best of traditional music in ways that feel both surprising and inevitable. Start with “Song 44” and don’t miss “Necklace of Wrens” or “My…