A short post this week, as it is already Sunday evening and I am tired of writing about heavy what-should-I-do-with-my-life things. Instead, let me say how grateful I am for fall days, family, friends, lakes and slugs.
Elanor and I went for a walk around Middle Reservoir in the Middlesex Fells on Saturday while Kira volunteered at her school. It was a sunny, brisk day full of colors and crunchy leaves, and the blue of the water and the blue of the sky made me soften around the edges and smile. There is nothing like a walk, especially when Elanor is loving it alongside me. We admired the reflections, the views, and the bark and lichen on various trees. It was well worth the parking ticket! (Apparently parking on the road when the parking lot is full is forbidden, even though many cars did it and there were no signs).
The slugs were how Elanor got out of unloading the dishwasher Saturday morning. It is impossible for me to refuse a request to go outside and lie on the grass on a gorgeous fall day, especially when it results in a discovery and a poem, in this case about the slugs she observed in the grass. Maybe my priorities explain the state of our house (though I did spend a lot of today doing much overdue tidying!).
I am also grateful for Halloween, as the kids carved pumpkins and went around our neighborhood with friends. It was the first year I didn’t join either of them, which made me nostalgic, but I am glad to see them grow independent, enjoy time with their friends, and return home safely from their adventures. I also loved their pumpkins.
Regarding friends, just let me say how lucky and grateful I am to have friends I have known for 15-30+ years who are there for me, and whose company is as delightful now as ever. We may be older, grayer, and seasoned by the ups and downs of life, and harder to schedule with work and family commitments, but I sure love to spend time with you! Thank you for keeping me grounded, sane, and making me laugh (and feeding me well!).
Reflections and Resolutions 