Is not this a true autumn day?  Just the still melancholy that I love – that makes life and nature harmonize.  The birds are consulting about their migrations, the trees are putting on the hectic or the pallid hues of decay, and begin to strew the ground, that one’s very footsteps may not disturb the repose of earth and air, while they give us a scent that is a perfect anodyne to the restless spirit.  Delicious autumn!  My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.  
GEORGE ELIOT, LETTER TO MISS LEWIS, OCTOBER 1, 1841
From The Life Giving Home by Sally & Sarah Clarkson

I love fall.  The crisp mornings, the warm afternoons, the cool evenings.  The trees changing colors – only God could make death so beautiful.  Jackets, pumpkins, mums, candles, soup & bread dinners…I could go on and on.  I’ve been cooking and baking more and so enjoying this weather.  

Soon our maple tree will be covered in red.

Our family has settled into fall well.  The kids are thriving in school and I’m beyond surprised and grateful that we’re still attending in-person.  I was sure we’d be sent home by now.  Our campus has had a few classes quarantined for possible symptoms, but so far we’ve been spared.  We are thankful.  I continue to tell the kids that every day they get to go to school is a gift.  Enjoy it.  Learn all you can.  Be kind.  Work hard.  And have fun.  

Life is busy with school and activities.  We are slowly moving into a season where I often feel like the chauffeur of the family.  James has a drum lesson Tuesdays right after school.  Wednesday evenings are youth group and Sunday school.  And Thursday and Friday afternoons are ballet.  We still are making family dinners a priority and shift dinnertime if needed so we can all eat together.  Our Friday family nights are more crucial now to give us a time to connect as a family.  The kids are growing so fast and learning so much.  They are becoming more independent – coming home from school, doing homework and chores, packing their lunch.  They are remarkable young people and we are privileged to be their parents.  

Kenny continues to work from home which is working well.  His days are very full but we’re thankful he’s home more and able to spend more time with the family.  Since I can’t volunteer at school, I’ve been working hard getting projects done around the house.  I finally got all of the mattresses cleaned, aired, and rotated.  We had the windows cleaned inside and out and the carpets cleaned.  I spent one morning cleaning all of the wood blinds and washing curtains.  And, I’ve been sorting and purging my old desk in the office and transferring items to a new desk.  Slowly I’m crossing things off the list!