It was still warm in the garden, but no one could miss the signs of almost-fall: trees starting to turn red, yellow, and orange; slant-wise, shimmery afternoon light; long evenings filled with cricket serenades and the last few cicada songs; and Squirrel’s ever-growing stash of walnuts.

In honor of the upcoming equinox, Raccoon and Crow were planning a party. Raccoon had gathered her mulling spices, her baking spices, and enough butter for her famous, flaky pastry dough. And Crow was due back any minute with a string basket full of apples. There would be apple pie for everyone, and walnut cups full of hot mulled apple cider for toasting the equinox sunset.

(September 2022)

Story © Jennifer Singleton / Read+Purr

This is another vignette in my ongoing series of Tiny Garden Stories: peaceful 1-minute tales, full of cozy vibes, delicious details, and generous dollops of imagination & whimsy. Click one of the first two buttons below to go to (or back to, if that’s where you fell down the rabbit hole) either the Public Garden archive page or (if you’re a Story Club member) to the Private Garden page. Or click the third button to learn more about my Tiny Garden Stories. Want each week’s featured story delivered directly to your inbox? Subscribe to my Substack.