Idle minds

We've been outside a lot this weekend. The grapes are ripe on the vine and the leaves are starting to fall. My kids are happiest when they're outside and so am I (er, I'm happiest when I'm outside too. Because I wouldn't want you to think I was one of those moms. At least not today.)

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Of course behind all this autumn fun in the sun there's the bittersweet knowledge that soon -- too soon -- the rain will begin and the paddock gate will be ankle-deep in mud. The grapevines will be bare and the garden will be deep under mulch.

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This year I'm excited to grow more winter veggies. Spinach, more peas and carrots, cabbage and kale and chard. I'm not sure how or when we'll get our garden gates to keep those hungry deer out. The dog is useless as anything other than a doorstop. Okay, that was unkind. I did try to explain to him that a dog must have a job in order to be fulfilled. He shrugged and turned around on his carpet by the door. Maybe his job is supplying insulation for the air leak under the door.

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Anywhat.

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Other than the disappointment of the watchdog conversation (it was so one-sided, you know?) I am just in love with this part of fall. I love the freshly sharpened pencils and the way I need a cardigan in the mornings. I love a new pair of Keds, maryjane style, and new socks to go with them. You have to wear socks with your Keds in the fall, you know. There'll be none of that summertime socklessness.
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I love that my bed and breakfast neighbors have their place back on the market. It's so hopeful. So past-the-real-estate-crisis.

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I love that I heard a widely spread rumor about myself that was so utterly untrue that I laughed out loud and shook my head in disbelief for 40 minutes and then felt like a celebrity on the cover of a gossip rag all day.

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I love that after living in this little rural village for three years, I finally feel at home.

I think maybe I'll paint the kitchen to celebrate. But I'll wait until the rain starts. For now I think I'll go outside.