The seasons have finally shifted and it feels like fall. Summer was holding on for dear life, but I think we’ve moved into the cooler, moodier days and longer nights. Frank and I were just talking this weekend about how this is “our season.” We’ve been hibernating through the oppressive heat and humidity and are ready to spend more time outdoors. As I write this, my catnip-influenced kittens are stretched out on the office floor, bellies exposed, listening to soft piano music playing on Alexa. They are also excited for this new season, as it means the kitchen door will be open, letting in the crisp, fresh air and the scents of nature.

I truly love Autumn. It will forever be my favorite season. I remember the line from the movie, You’ve Got Mail, where Joe Fox types to Kathleen Kelly, “Don’t you love New York in the fall? It makes me want to buy school supplies. I would send you a bouquet of newly sharpened pencils if I knew your name and address.” It brings an instant smile to my face. Friend, if you’re reading this, imagine me sending you one of those bouquets today. Hope you are well.

Here’s what I’ve been up to lately.

Loving - staying under the weighted blanket a little longer on chilly mornings.

Eating - all the soups, as usual.

Working - on marketing plans and brand sheets.

Noticing - the leaves are beginning to fade from green to warmer colors.

Picturing - October 24, 2024. 🖤

Collecting - more books for my shelves.

Wanting - all the Fair Isle sweaters. I don’t even wear many sweaters, but I think I would enjoy them.

Honoring - my body and allowing for rest.

Anticipating - an autumn train ride through the fall-colored mountains next weekend.

Planning - lots of weekend adventures this autumn and winter.

Following - the battle for Speaker of the House. Such drama.

Accepting - that I might need to go back to therapy.

Making - marks for a new project - an art journal.

Smelling - Lemony Greek chickpea soup, sans eggs. It’s what’s for dinner.

Getting - ready for a busy season, both work and play, but I’m ready for it all.

Identifying - some goals I want to aim for in this last quarter of 2023.

Wearing - pajamas, 24/7. (Yoga pants and a sweatshirt)

Listening - to my #1 favorite, Ray LaMontagne. Frank and I saw him in concert last month and his (live) voice was as dreamy as I imagined.

Consuming - way too much social media. Setting some strict time limits this fall.

Reconnecting - with friends from the WMHC steering committee as we gear up for another season of planning for the 2024 conference.

Watching - Sex Education on Netflix. What a great show.

Wondering - what the weather will be like at the beach in two weeks.

Posting - inspiration on my office wall and gratitude lists on Instagram.

Feeling - determined, but also really sleepy.

Releasing - stories that no longer need to be written. May the wind carry them on to someone who needs them.

Scheduling - medical appointments, meetings, and vacation days.

Organizing - pens and markers by color. Does anyone else do this or is it just my neurodivergent brain that needs stim?

Reading - very long books this month for #BigBooktober.

Taking - life day by day.

Craving - a movie night with popcorn and Twizzlers.

Investing - time into thinking about things before reacting to them.

Appreciating - a partner who affirms me in so many ways.

Sending - books to Germany.

Enjoying - having photos of all my fuzzy children (past and present) at my desk.

Going - to take a nice, hot shower as soon as I’m done writing this post.

Resolving - to walk each and every night.

Playing - this stupid cube-matching game. Addictive and a major time-suck.

Encouraging - creativity.

Finding - time to snuggle.

Spending - on new skincare, since most of what I had been using is older than I’d care to admit.

Wishing - for peace in the world. War broke out in Israel/Palestine this weekend and I’m so saddened by it all.

Thinking - that tomorrow is a chance to start anew.

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Coffee Date | Fall 2023

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What I Learned | Summer 2023