Julia Campbell is alone and probably destitute when her husband leaves her for a younger woman. She is left with nothing - children grown and gone, no partner, no money, no career, living in a house which must be sold, and desperately lonely. Her life shattered, confidence in shreds, and with no visible means of support, Julia is forced to give up the role of the little woman at home, and take responsibility for her own life, despite a deep feeling that she is totally unequipped for the task. Unceremoniously shaken out of the rut which she had reluctantly occupied, she has to find her way in a world which has changed considerably since she was young and single. Advice is plentiful. Her daughter in Chicago, mother up north, and friends nearby, are all ready to nudge her forward. From this background of all-female support and encouragement, Julia tentatively begins to explore what she wants, and what she can expect to have in this world of changed values and electronic communication, with surprising and sometimes delightful results. The learning curve is scary, sometimes thrilling, and definitely life changing, and Julia is surprised at how autumn can sometimes feel like a warm and beautiful spring. A warm, funny and surprising story of how life can change dramatically while you're not really paying attention.