New York City, November 1, 2015

★★ The daylight, already dislocated and slipping, was constrained still more by a roof of clouds — strange discolored clouds, shaded with oranges and whites and occasional blues, unable to commit to being full cover. The children refused to change out of their pajamas. Dark gray puffs of cloud appeared underneath the pale gray clouds above. People were bundled up more than was necessary; the marathon blankets seemed mostly ceremonial. There was not much wind in the streets, but the clouds were hurrying overhead. A flood of late sun came just in time to inspire a rush out the door to the playground, to catch the fleeting day. The playground itself was crowded and already lost in deep shade.