And still counting (10,936-10,970)

hound song in the woods (and not my hound!)
last of summer splashes in the pool
a monthly calendar of meals to make life easier
gray shirts
cookbooks from the library

Gilgamesh, always
night walks
step goals, reached
Sofia's hugs
Marshall's Mom

friends who don't see a line between authenticity and oversharing
the smell of food on the grill
the crunch of spent maple leaves under foot, one of my favorite things about here
a nap with Erin on the couch
two fireplaces, cleaned and waiting

pumpkin spice coffee
the chimney sweep who reminisced on Beowulf
his pictures in the cloud
grasses, cut
The Iliad

her request for me to stay home
cutting back and not filling up the empty spaces
the guys on the video team who chatted me at the table
the people who've stepped forward to show me we're all in the same chapter
unity

a wood stack along the bricks
an unexpected afternoon home
grace
books in the mail
the monthly meal planner

a good night's sleep
Kathy and Janet
Chad and Don
introvert doors
October lesson planning, nearly complete

Day story

September

Outside my window, I watch the steady raining of leaves and acorns. They crunch under foot. The maple leaves, all spent, are my favorite. I think of my childhood and how the fall was full of the sound of crunchy leaves.

Giving thanks for slowing down. For days when I sleep later. Days when I do less. Days when I get the luxury of looking through a cookbook, menu planning, and the mindless decorating of a planning page with washi tape.

In the school room, a good start to the year. Instituting pretty consistent office hours. I cried over Gilgamesh (a favorite!). Loved revisiting ancients in a new way. Thankful for the rich resources found in Beautiful Feet.

From the kitchen, a creamy, sweet mug of pumpkin spice coffee--today, the first of autumn. I don't know where spring and summer went, truly. I don't even have many photographs to document the days. Desperately trying to hold onto the present. A month of menus planned brings me peace.

I am learning to let things go. This summer taught me that I can't control circumstances or opinions. I can't own fulfilling someone's happiness. I'm just doing the best I can with what I know and what I have.
 

I don't want to forget their joy at a family movie night. Tonight is a second time recently, and Shane requested ice cream. So I got some today at the store. I don't want to forget the evening walks with my kids and how they want to be with me and hold my hand. Last night, the three of us girls in a row, holding hands. Good life.

Around the house, it is back to the familiar. Lawn cuts, leaves, the chimneys cleaned and readied for a first fire. (Do you have any idea how this comforts me? Those fires and the warmth and the embrace of home. The woodsmoke smell in the air and on my clothes. It grounds me.)

I am hearing the quiet, and it's heavy in my ears.

A view of my favorite things:

a great start

 

goofing around

Cozzy asleep during a read aloud

2025

Erin's photo of a duck at Suzanne's

Jerusalem artichokes

what being outside does for her

hand holding with my high schooler

Friday wine night

fun treats for lunch bentos

the new video equipment at church

At the table, spelling tests to grade, a video on pyramids, hand-drawn maps, and blue tickets. I love teaching my kids, and they know it. Days like today, spent with my kids, I feel like the luckiest person alive. 

And still counting (10,929-10,935)

unexpected texts of encouragement in a hard week
Saturdays with Shane home

cookbooks from the library
sunshine
the piercing of bone and marrow
walks
hugs with Erin

And still counting (10,917-10,928)

the honking calls of southbound geese
the fragrance of the last of summer days
a good visit with my sister
paleo chocolate donuts for a first day of school

prayers for our year and hearts, heard
stickers on sale
and a teacher's discount for this homeschool mom
waffles for breakfast
a hike with Suzanne and my girls

cuddles while Erin was feverish
time at home
this family

And still counting (10,886-10,916)

time together: Sandy, Ann, Denise, Amy
summer vegetable soup
with tomatoes from a neighbor
cooler temperatures
windows open

this past week of resting
oh, the wrestle
a full fridge
Frank's dance
Lanie's happiness in a back-to-school 'do

66 Books
Rebecca for a visit
the cars in front of the hospitality house
an evening walk with Lanie
chocolate milkshakes

a transport driver who drove us to Chick-fil-a
lunch with my sister
good days with her
the letter from the holding company
a call to Tracey

acknowledgement as a daughter
bento lunches with my kids
gifts for a first day
composition notebooks
divider tabs

satsuma in the school room
cuddles with Erin
good coffee
home days
worship at church

routines