Last night’s sunset.

Gorgeous.

I’m trying to check in with my sister (who lives in Florida, for those of you who do not know) this morning. Reader Brenda, who lives closer to the coast but not far from my sister, is under mandatory evacuation. I suspect Meredith isn’t, but I’ll feel better when I can talk to her. Brenda, take care! We’re thinking of you and your family.

Anyway, I’m waiting for a text from Mere. She might be working today – I’m not sure.

Finished puzzle. I really loved working on this one. I’ll let it sit there for day or so because it’s so cool.

I spoke with Darko yesterday and I’m going to work with him on a workshop of a new musical in January. It will be so lovely to see him again – it was great talking with him, too. As Don said, it’s nice to start the new year with a job. It’s just for a couple of weeks, but it sounds challenging and exciting.

I haven’t made it upstairs to clean up my studio yet. Every time I’m about ready to plunge in, my back kicks up a bit. It’s a confined space which requires bending over, etc., so I’ll see how I feel later this morning. I’d really like to have things in order as we head into ‘indoor’ time, which means more time for projects.

Just heard from Mere. She’s in a no-evacuation zone but both the older boys live in evacuation zones, so they’re relocating.

Stay safe.

Happy Tuesday.

I worked on this puzzle off and on yesterday. I’m really enjoying it. I really love puzzles with lots of people and/or objects. And this one is beautifully illustrated.

I also mowed. I wanted to finish the front lawn so it wasn’t uneven. Don wanted to mow, but pulling the thingy that starts the mower is hard on his hand, so I did that. He did mow a bit, but his hand got sore, so I did the majority of the mowing. He’s frustrated.

It may have been better to wait until today, because back-to-back days of mowing was hard on my back. It’s better this morning, but I’m going to baby it today, which means I’m not going to go to the miniatures show outside of Hartford. I’d love to, but I don’t think a total of four hours in the car is a good idea. Sigh. So I’m frustrated as well. I just have to remind myself that this is just a weird stretch that we’re going through.

I’d be tempted to spend money so it’s all for the best. And there’s always next year. Besides, I usually find my miniatures online and I suspect that will be the case as I start to work on the Beacon Hill.

I’m reading The Ink Black Heart  by Robert Galbraith. (JK Rowling) I love this mystery series centered around private detective Cormoran Strike. The book clocks in at a little over a thousand pages long. The previous book in the series was also quite long. It can look daunting, but they’re so well written and so readable that I really don’t notice it. Except for carrying it around or holding it while I’m reading in bed. It reminds me of reading Gone With The Wind  when I was in 8th grade. It was the longest book I had ever read at that point and I was quite proud of myself.

Side note: When someone hurts my husband’s feelings, this particular someone being a longtime friend, everything in me goes into protective mode. (I know this person very well.) I want to tell that person off. That happened yesterday. I’ve never had children, but I imagine that’s how parents feel when someone hurts their child. You want to make it all go away.

Anyway, you know how I feel about my husband. But it’s not just how I feel. He’s loved by so many because he is truly kind and compassionate, always helping others, always generous. He’s also wise. Yesterday, he reminded me that the person who hurt him is troubled and that we should simply pray for him and wish him peace.

So we did. And do.

But boy, I still want to tell him off.

Just being honest.

Stay safe.

Happy Sunday.

The view out the side door this morning. The light in autumn is simply beautiful.

It went down to 39 degrees last night and we had to turn the heat on this morning. It was really cold! It will warm up a bit this week, so this cold – for now – was a one time thing.

I mowed A LOT yesterday. And yes, you could immediately assume I mowed too much and you’d be right. I did the lilac side of the front lawn, the corral, the secret garden and part of the front lawn. My back was hurting by the end, but I’m much better today. We have to finish off the front lawn and, at some point, this next week, mow the back forty. I also have to weed whack but my back sometimes hurts from holding it. If I’m smart, I’ll do a little each day.

But, boy, did it feel good to actually so some work outside. After a few weeks of having to lay low, I really appreciated the opportunity to mow. Plus, the temperatures were cool, which made the whole thing much more pleasant.

I started on the puzzle and have most of the edge pieces in place.

I need to clean up my part of the office today. It’s completely out of control! Don put his area in order last week and now I’m embarrassed at the contrast.

My nesting instincts have taken hold. Every fall, like clockwork, I want to concentrate on our house and making it cozy. I have no plans, per se, but I’m suddenly aware again of my surroundings in a way I’m not when it’s summer and the gardens are blooming.

Mowing today, the puzzle, washing towels, cleaning up my wee studio, looking at the Beacon Hill and contemplating what I want to do with it. I want an overall style, but I’m not sure yet what it will be. In the meantime, I have to prime that all-red room that’s driving me nuts! I need a clean, clear palette, then I can think about what I want to do.

Stay safe.

Happy Saturday.