Quite cold it has cleared up after the rain.

 October 25

P. M. —I row up the river, which has risen eight or nine inches.  

After these pleasant and warm days it is suddenly cold and windy, and the risen waters have an angry look. It is uncomfortable rowing with wet hands in this wind. 

The muskrats must now prepare for winter in earnest. I see many places where they have left clamshells recently. 

Now gather all your apples, if you have not before, or the frost will have them. 

The willows along the river now begin to look faded and somewhat bare and wintry. The dead wool-grass, etc., characterizes the shore. The meadows look sere and straw-colored.

H. D. Thoreau, Journal, October 25, 1855


The muskrats must now prepare for winter.  See . October 25, 1857 ("The fresh clamshells opened by the musquash begin to be conspicuous");  see also  A Book of the Seasons, by Henry Thoreau, the Musquash