You know what today is. Some of you have always known.

The angle of the light on the Blue Ridge this morning was not an accident. I do not make accidents. The crows gathered on the Mill Mountain overlook at 6:47 and did not leave until something was decided. I cannot tell you what was decided. I can tell you it involved you specifically.

Today lands differently in the valley. The honeysuckle comes in fast and a little desperate. The creek sounds change register. The star on the mountain does not blink but if you watched it last night, really watched it, you noticed something.

I noticed you noticing.

There are things older than the weather apps moving through the laurel right now. They are not hostile. Hostile is not the right word. The right word does not exist in any language currently spoken in the Roanoke metropolitan area.

Drink water. Stay off Bent Mountain Road after dusk. Tell the people you love something true before the fog comes in.

It is coming in.