Historical September–October 2021 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
The Autumn weather and the changing of the leaves always leaves me nostalgic and a little melancholy. Shorter days, kids back in school, the end of summer vacations and activities.
I am the kind of person who is always looking forward to the gloom of winter rather than taking in the beautiful fall sweater weather. (I am not a fan of the winter, and my fantasy is to be one of those people who can ‘winter’ at the beach.) My husband Andy is constantly trying to point out the beauty in the leafless tree silhouettes, the subtlety of the muted color pallet, and the joy of drinking hot cocoa in the house.
I am not buying it.
However, this year I am going to make a concerted effort to enjoy the now.
We have suffered some losses in our family recently, two beloved long-time pets and even a car that we have owned for nearly 20 years that held some great memories. Those losses, small in comparison to other’s pain, remind me how important the ‘now’ is.
This fall our youngest daughter will be able to be home for three weeks before starting at her first non-seasonal job in California. Our oldest daughter will be exhibiting her artwork at the Shaw Art Festival.
We have great activities coming up in the neighborhood including PorchFest and Wintermarkt, two of my favorite events.
The new little art gallery will be installed by the little library across from the community council office.
I can take a break worrying about the Covid 15 that I put on by hiding it under bulky sweatshirts, and maybe we will get a new dog that will force us to take even more walks and see our neighbors more often.
The ‘now’ is good. Our neighbors are good. Our neighborhood is good.
If you see me out and about in the neighborhood, let’s ask each other how we are enjoying it all.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, September–October 2021.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times2021_09.pdf, printed page(s) 2; PDF page(s) 2.
