Here we are

 

smack dab in the middle of the holiday season!

Seems like just yesterday, I was waiting for fall.

 

This year, the changes in my mobility have become more apparent;

it took me twice as long to get out the trees (even though I downsized to only 8;

it's not as grand as it sounds; the majority of them are small table top 'feather trees, but still all things that need to be carried up from the basement and set up.

I'm continually re-homing items that haven't made the cut for 2 years in a row -

and loving more dearly the things that do. 

 

By the time I'm "in the home", 

I should be content with 1 tabletop tree and a few Santas -but we'll see.  

Not there yet!

My favorite part of Advent is living in hope; 

believing that the best is 'coming soon'.

There's so much grief and pain in the world 

that it feels indulgent and self absorbed to choose to look for joy in the small moments.

 

I partially absolve myself with trying to stay informed 

as well as remembering that,

for 4 decades,

I was hip deep in all that pain.

 

It's OK to step back; maybe even necessary for ones mental health.

Seeing the season through the eyes of these two is also good for the soul.

Three parties down, four more to go...

enjoying it all while I can!

But wouldn't mind a dusting of snow, 

for atmosphere and to hunker down under the afghans and read.

Deeper thoughts coming soon.

Fall finally came!

 

I remember when the peak of fall color was in mid October;"

"back in the day".

Now, it's almost a month later ...

but, truly, better late than never, right?

Recently, a gorgeous day called for me to come out and play -

and I didn't say "No".

A drive along the River Road to Elsah, IL was a terrific way to spend an afternoon.

                                                                There have also been recent birthdays:

his

                                                                            and mine.

                                                                       Yikes, it's flying by!

YES

 

It could happen any time, tornado

earthquake, Armageddon. It could happen.

Or sunshine, love, salvation.

It could, you know. That's why we wake

and look out - no guarantees

in this life.

But some bonuses, like morning,

like right now, like noon,

like evening.

William Stafford

Waiting for Fall

 My allergies and I are waiting with bated breath for fall; 

actually we're waiting to HAVE breath -

unstuffy, uncongested, clear breath -

and THAT won't happen until the first hard frost apparently...

so, we're still waiting!

I did go on a road trip 'Up North',

Wisconsin and northern IL,

hoping that several hundred miles might make a difference.

 

It DID; but only because it was a nice distraction, 

with prettier scenery and fun with family that I hadn't seen for awhile.

Trips to Door County and Washington Island allowed for a hint of fall color;

enough to provide respite when I returned to temperatures in the upper 80's

upon my return home.

Some sights are so iconic Wisconsin that if you know you know -

and if you don't, there's not much to say.

Hint: goats on roof = amazing Swedish pancakes with ligonberries.

 

 It was also fun to see a niece's new condo, still in the midst of renovations

but reflecting the people I love who live there and looking very much like 'home' for them!

SO glad they've moved back closer to the rest of us.

Got home just in time for the first of the fall birthday celebrations

 and to get decked out for Halloween.

Certainly not as grand, but 'home' nonetheless.

October is off to a good start -

congestion notwithstanding.