Monday, September 24, 2007

Seasonal transition

tree of the northwest
Fall sneaks up, yet I have not transitioned the wardrobe or shoes. Getting dressed this time of year is a weird combination of tank tops and short sleeved shirts with corduroy or jean jackets. Fall over summer or something. But I think this week will mark the full cross over into a fall wardrobe.
firebowl
AdRi bought a fire bowl on clearance this past week, and we’ve been spending an hour or so the past few evenings sitting outside around the fire. Last night I looked up and saw the full autumn moon through the leaves of the tree, felt the cool chill on my body facing away from the fire, and breathed in the evening air. Inhale. Exhale. It’s a nice time together to talk about the week to come, to talk about work, to talk about whatever. I’m loving it.
self portrait and yes, it's blurry, but i like the composition
I know Winter is around the corner, and I feel like I need to prepare. Make sure I’m taking my vitamins, and finally get around to getting one of those lightboxes. Planning for a vacation to sunny southern Mexico in February helps too, and soon we’ll book that sweet trip. I learned this summer that millions of women in this country are misdiagnosed with depression when actually, they have underactive thyroids. While I haven’t been diagnosed with depression, my thyroid isn’t up to speed. So I’m getting some help with it and hope to have a bit brighter of a winter. I’ve been so surprised to learn so many other women have too. We just don’t talk about it.

I have some new mad skillz and projects I’m working on, and I’m sure I’ll share them here on the blog when I’m a little further along. The seasonal transition takes me out of the garden some, and inside to work and different kinds of creating. One thing I’m trying to get in as much as possible before a freeze shuts everything down in the garden is harvesting the herbs.
harvesting lemon verbena
Lemon verbena is such a fragrant one. What I’ll do with all of this is unknown, but I suppose I’ll figure it out. Tea and potpourri is one thing. Dried for culinary use I’m not so sure.
apple pie
I made some apple pie this weekend, and brought some down the street to our neighbor. He’s 94 years old, and AdRi and I stop in to see him every other day or so. He’s spent his summer sitting in a rocking chair on his front porch and we’ve gotten to know him pretty well. I love hearing his stories about growing up on a farm in Washington, and moving to N. Portland as a child in the 1920s. Living in the Albina neighborhood, he’s told me of the huge Polish and German population that lived there, the houses with the big porches and being in a family with lots of kids. He’s become a good friend of ours, and while we don’t usually both see him at the same time because it’s either me walking Wink or AdRi walking Wink, he always asks about my partner and what she’s up to. I love that this 94 year old man doesn’t even blink when it comes to us being partners. A month or so ago I told him to ask AdRi next time he sees her what she does for a living. He did, and the next time I saw him, he was just beside himself to know a female police officer. (Actually, I think he called her a police woman. Love that.)
picasso kickin' it in the garden
Happy Autumn, peeps.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

We're feeling EXACTLY the same thing up here! Sapsuckers are pecking away, the Northern Flickers are sounding a return, the spider season is everywhere, mornings are crisp, plants are giving up to become mulch for next year, and on and on.

THEN. You talk of the kindness of meeting the 94 year old and befriending him. That's ROYAL CLASS, Lelo! But more than that, I KNOW when I do that, there IS a reward in return. Thanks for reminding us how that pays its own dividends. I can't wait to be 90 and have neighbors bringing me a piece of pie! hah.

Ali and Evan said...

I can think of two adoring fans of yours(whom also happen to be cafe owners) who would LOVE LOVE LOVE to take some lemon verbena off your hands. That is, if you have some to spare. We are dying to make some lemon verbena ice cream w/ blackberry swirl before all of the Oregon blackberries are gone. We're happy to pay for it. You know the deal: you hand over the herbs, we'll churn the ice cream and do a door delivery of a fresh pint!!!

Monogram Queen said...

I just love old people, talking to them is the BEST. I'm very happy to know he is so open minded and accepting also. Alot of oldsters aren't. My Great Grandma was very prejudiced but she was still a wonderful Grandma to me.

weese said...

I bought my wife a Happy Lite last winter. (they are made by verilux and that gaiam place carries them as well).
she loves it. puts it on every morning for 15 or 20 minutes.
she also plans projects for around the house to help get through long dark winters. that way she has something to focus on rather than short days and icicles.

Anonymous said...

Love the post LeLo. We'll have to plan some winter activities together, the blahs get to me sometimes too!

gen1pic said...

Whoo hoo, check the photo: pretty eyes.

Best thing is, you know I'm not flirting, because you're not my... er... type.

reasonably prudent poet said...

i officially marked the transition to fall last night by finally closing my front window. closing the window involves taking about fifty plants out of the windowsill first, so closing it is an act of finality until next spring. oh well. i decided not to close it until i could no longer see any 70 degree highs in the five-day forecast, and that day was yesterday. goodbye outside air! smell ya next spring!

Rozanne said...

Nice post.

It is definitely fall. Each day the leaves seem to have turned more autumnal. I love it!

BTW: I am one of those women with an underactive thyroid. I've never had any of the classic symptoms, but I do take a thyroid pill every day. Let me know if you have any questions!

Also, how great that you've become friends with your 94-year-old neighbor.