manual dessication

only one month into the post-equinox decline. below freezing last night, well below. the downed leaves now curl. differently for each variety of tree, some rolling into a tight cylinder, some curling on each side of their taper, reacting to the chill, whatever moisture left in them turning into hard sharp crystals. desiccating. it is one of those dry clear days. where the indoor humidity plunges to Mojave percentages. nothing like deep winter when the outside temps are 20-30 C below zero, the interiors become arid and suffocating bunkers. triple-glazing and complete weather-stripping keeping everything out. everything.