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| A harvest of beets, carrots, potatoes, and onions |
Although I have come to love summer once again, I have always loved fall. As a child, I loved the excitement of back-to-school time. There was something so satisfying about checking off the required school supplies from the list, and the new clothes and shoes were waiting so patiently for the first day to arrive, so I could wear them. The air developed a crisp coolness, and soon it would be the holiday season.
I don't have new school supplies, nor do I have a new outfit in my closet, but I still love autumn. As an adult, September brings harvest time. I have been enjoying the bounty of the garden, and am taking mental note of what worked and what didn't, in preparation for next planting season. The temperatures are beginning the roller-coaster ride of changing seasons, and soon enough we will be celebrating holidays.
One of those holidays, of course, is Thanksgiving, and what better way to prepare than to reflect back on this past week and express gratitude? This week, I am thankful:
1. for Zoom calls with children. It's so nice to see their faces and talk together. We like to play games on Zoom calls. It isn't quite as good as sitting around a table together, but it's a great substitute.
2. that donations are out of the house and to the thrift store. I'm motivated by the idea of possibly finishing our basement. Before we can begin, we need to clear out the space.
3. for reading my dad's stories of his childhood. My mom finds old photos, and my dad writes his memories and thoughts about them, and shares on Facebook. LOVE THIS!
4. for the Buy Nothing group. Last week, I mentioned that I had posted a couch and some paint on the site, and that they had been claimed. This week, the couch and paint are gone, and I'm thankful they could be put to good use.
5. for harvest time. I've picked pears, tomatoes, basil, cantaloupe, carrots, beets, potatoes, onions, and more from my own yard. Neighbors have shared cinnamon bread, eggs, and peaches. We had French toast that day, and it was delicious!
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| Cinnamon swirls through a loaf of homemade bread |
6. for extra canning jars (with lids!) that I purchased last year, so hopefully I have enough supplies to preserve the harvest. I don't know if you are aware, but canning lids are in short supply this year. #nothankstoyoucovid
7. for (drum roll, please) RootsTech Connect. Even if you have never done any family history at all, you are going to want to sign up for #RootsTechConnect. It is going to be held Feb 25-27, 2021, but instead of meeting in Salt Lake City, it is going to be held virtually, and it is going to be FREE!!!! From what I understand, on the opening day of registration, 17,000 people signed up! The focus is more worldwide than previous conferences, with classes taught in different languages and from locations all over the globe. There will be cooking demonstrations, musical performances, and, as always, great keynote speakers. All for FREE! Watch the video below, and sign up (for FREE) at www.rootstech.org.
8. that the trailer is sold!
9. for goofy, obedient Drexel. He was coming down to the basement the other night when we were doing some work down there, and when I told him to stop coming down, instead of stopping at the landing, he immediately stopped, and sat there in that uncomfortable position until he understood that it was OK to come down one more step!
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| Drexel stops on the stairs, with his front paws on the landing, and his rear sitting on the previous step |
10. for John. He's smart, funny, and he even repaired drippy water pipes in the basement this week!
Well, that's my list for the week. What are you thankful for today?
Joining me in the blog hop this week:
, RootsTech Connect sounds really cool indeed. I'll let my sister know about it, as she's into genealogy. Your other gratefuls are great too. Have a fab weekend!
ReplyDeleteThanks for spreading the word about RootsTech Connect. I'm sure your sister will enjoy it!
DeleteThank you for the RootsTech info. I signed up and posted it, tagging my daughter. Sounds like a bountiful week!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. Thanks for letting your daughter know about it, too. RootsTech has always far exceeded my expectations, and I imagine RootsTech Connect will, also!
DeleteGlad to hear the trailer sale has finalized.
ReplyDeleteI'm registered for RootsTech too.
Love that photo of Drexel so obediently sitting RIGHT NOW AND RIGHT THERE!
Funny, how your memories of waiting to wear new school clothes on the first day of school are also my memories of doing the same, and being disappointed when the first day of school turned out to be a very hot "summer like" day when there was no way to where that brand new wool sweater and wool skirt.
RootsTech will be so much fun, though I'll miss being there in person with you.
DeleteMother Nature doesn't always cooperate weather-wise. :-)
I love the sweet memories of preparing for a new school year to begin. Shopping for school supplies was so much fun! You have a wonderful harvest from your garden, a lot of work must’ve went into that! Along with Drexel perched on the step, my favorite thankful here are the narratives being attached to photos by your parents, what a wonderful keepsake for generations to come! I wish I had the stories to accompany them any pictures I inherited when my dad passed. It’s great to be back here, such an uplifting exercise each week!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you're back!
DeleteEven without the stories, having the photos from your dad must be quite the treasure!
Awww, Drexel is such a good boy. Congratulations on the harvest!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteA wise man, Socrates, or perhaps it was the buddha, it could even have been Archimedes, once said, 'Dogs are perfect lifeforms'. Asked to stop, Drexel simply stopped whatever he was doing and waited.
ReplyDeleteOne of my goals in life is to find the place where such a simple life (in the here and now) is available.
For us, having what would appear to be the Michelin guides recommendation, the video of the happy customers in the backyard, will have to do.
Have a good week
Drexel is definitely a good dog.
DeleteI enjoyed watching the video of your deer.