Settling In at Home

There's something about being home after a summer spent largely at the lake that is disconcerting. It's good to be back, yet life seems to be in a slightly chaotic state. I feel like I am rediscovering things once familiar, while at the same time trying to negotiate the unpacking, the scheduling of appointments that were put off till fall, gatherings with friends and more (all while living in too much clutter and impending deadlines.)

I miss the sunsets. 

Bad news doesn't help either -- but more on that later.

I will say that autumn downstate, while not as hilly and dramatic as up north, is still pretty darned beautiful.

On the way home from one of my doc appointments I drove through the farmland areas of campus and was suitably wowed by the color.

I confess, I'm a sucker for a gate!

Of course, for equally spectacular color, I need look no farther than the gorgeous maple at Rick's. 

By the time I got home from the lake, most of the ditch color was down. It's a reminder of what is to come.

The neighbors have been decorating for Halloween.

One house goes above and beyond!

For me, it meant stopping at the pumpkin wagon to pick up a few pumpkins for the yard.

 It's an honest pay system -- and the prices are so good, who wouldn't pay?

Inside, I'm pretty pared down. I did the top of the china cabinet

 

 My Lori Mitchell Oz gang came out...

... along with this Vintage by Crystal piece...

... and this one.

There's not a lot in the family room either, which is still suffering from the collapse of the cookbook bookcase and a mess. Just about every surface is covered as I unpack one totebag at a time.

 

I rearranged the furniture and not sure I like it. I thought it would make for more comfy bird watching but I think it just makes the small room look smaller.

But I did get a few things on the mantel... a pumpkin...

... and my new gnome that I bought at the last farm market of the season up north. Couldn't resist -- he looks very autumnal! 

A bright pumpkin and red-headed art doll give a little light and fun.

Lizzie and I have been doing a little bird watching. I spotted a couple of newbies but they were too fast for photo ops!

 

Rick went to Minneapolis to visit his Aunt Beth who is in Hospice at home. I stayed here and it was a quiet weekend, but I did enjoy dinner out with friends at our favorite Mexican restaurant. It's never tidy but always delicious!

Meanwhile, I've been poking wool and packaging cards for the sale, which is Nov. 10-12. Coming up! In between that, hitting physical therapy and a boatload of doc appointments. And of course, voting.

The bad news is that I learned I had been in afib 86 percent of the time I was on my heart monitor for three weeks (not even counting the time I was off the monitor for two days waiting for a replacement) and was afibbing at my appointment as well. In in both cases, I didn't have a clue. So, on Tuesday I get to have something called a cardioversion where they shock your heart into submission. I hope I don't get Dr. Frankenstein!

I was originally scheduled for Halloween and the day-long delay means I won't be able to use my ticket to see Liz Cheney and Elissa Slotkin, our U.S. representative, in a rally here. Slotkin, who has been a terrific rep, keeping her constituents well informed. She's the first (probably only) Democrat Cheney has endorsed or supported. The focus of the event is bi-partisanship. It should be terrific but I'm not sure if I'll be up to it four hours after being shocked into rhythm. We'll see.

 Meanwhile, I have been relieved with my new shorter hair, even though it's mostly white (I'm going for the Targaryan blond look from "House of the Dragon" -- in other words, letting the color grow out!) It's so much easier and less expensive, too! Targaryan blond is basically really white and people are paying big bucks to have their natural hair color stripped to look that way. Me? I'm just taking after my grandma!

So, that's the news from Lake Wobegon, as Garrison Keillor used to say on "Prairie Home Companion." Could be better, could be worse.

 

But at least there is a little pumpkin light!

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