An Auspicious Day

Today is my dad's birthday. Had he lived to see the day, he would've turned 88.

I am honoring his birthday by choosing this date to officially let the world know I'm retiring from my job at the ivory tower to pursue those things I'm most passionate about - growing a business, selling antiques, making beautiful photographs, writing, and living wholeheartedly.

This is the biggest decision I've ever made in my entire life and it wouldn't be possible without my dad. Way back at the ripe old age of 24 and newly out in the professional world, my dad encouraged me to start a retirement account right away. He knew I couldn't imagine where my life would take me but that one day I might just want to retire at 55. And how wise he was.

Thank you dad. As I leap wholeheartedly into the world of self-employment, 

self-empowerment and true fulfillment I honor you.

Holding Firm

Oh boy, when that 6:30 alarm goes off it is ((shudder)) dark outside! 

So grateful K lets me sleep 'til the sun starts to peek through the blinds.

The cold front came in with a vengance but mercifully left us a few leaves to still enjoy. Temps are consistently in the 60's during the day now and well into the 40's at night. Perfect sleeping weather.

The twilights have been extraordinary lately too - crisp with a fingernail of a moon and a clear shot of Venus nearby. And when there are clouds,  the sight will take your breath away.

Our cardinals and jays will have plenty to eat this winter, but I can't focus on that. No not yet.

I'm holding firm on the idea that there are still a few weeks of Fall left. 

Letting Go

Here is the view from my office this morning as I make my way to the auction hall to pick up some recent treasures. Grateful for back road travel and glorious distant views.

Since returning home the weather has taken an abrupt turn. There are tornado watches out for our county with threats of heavy rain and 70 mph wind gusts.

Pippa and Lillie have been contentedly (and surprisingly) sharing my lap as I type. I've got chicken soup on the stove. It'll be hard to leave home today, but unfortunately I've got places to be.

I'm not really the crafty type so I'm especially proud of what I accomplished this morning. I bought this sweet tiger oak rocker recently for a few bucks.

Thankfully it had no structural issues (unless you count the barn dirt & pigeon poop). A good oiling and a new seat cover et voila! You may now refer to me as the staple gun goddess!

Not quite ready to let go of Fall just yet...

Welcome

Hello, October.

Welcome, Autumn.

Nice to see your true colors,

your comforting fog

and weathered imperfections.

Welcome, thorns and all.

Welcome.

To Do

It's our last full day at the lake. 

It's almost time to head home, time to move forward with grand plans and time to get back to work.

In the meantime, today we'll do all the things we said we'd do while here and haven't yet accomplished...we'll take the kayak out for a spin, have dinner at the Pines, spend an entire day reading the New York Times on the porch.

Ready

It's our last couple of days on the lake and a mixture of sadness and excitement has set in. I'll be immensely sad to leave this sweet place with it's drafty doors and windows, its uneven and creaky floors, the bedroom with the million dollar view and a porch to match. Sad to leave the sight, smell and sound of the water. Sad to have the rhythm of our days ruled by the clock and calendar again. I'm excited though to be home again with our kitties, our cozy rural woods, the distant view of the lake valley, our big comfy bed and my kitchen.

Ready to head home soon.

Dreaming

We are fully recovered from our twelve hour work day on Tuesday and all settled back in at the lake. It is a typical day for us. K is busily perusing lake cottages for sale online and I'm on pinterest checking out photography tips and shooting photos. We are a modern couple we are...each of us here with our laptops humming, sitting on the porch, eating lunch, taking in the view and dreaming. And we do dream a lot. Why just this morning we drove up the lake to the village of Romulus to do a casual drive-by of a house for sale. It's just a squeak out of our price range but it ticks off four big things on our dream house list - it's a Greek Revival, it has lake frontage, a barn with a heated workshop and acreage.

Sadly the 40 minute commute to FOUND and the 60 minute commute to K's office are major deal breakers for us (and that's 40 and 60 minutes EACH way!). So back to the dream drawing board we go...

Just before our little excursion up the lake we were back in the shop bright and early this morning to replace the white harvest table we put in the shop on Tuesday. 

After a little reshuffle, here's our new look...

Temp is headed towards 70 today and the sky is full of big puffy white clouds. The lake is calm and none of our neighbors are around. The breeze is so gentle and refreshing. Chili is bubbling away on the stove and cornbread is just about to go into the oven. Friends are expected any minute. Can we just do stay here forever?