I feel like this month was a time of ups and downs. Our first cold days and nights–so cold that I turned on the heat and plugged in the electric blanket. Then we spent the past week in shorts and sandals outside all day. Grief and joy. Fatigue and energy. Celebrations and disappointments.
Fall is here, with all its contradictions and challenges and beauty.
Ellie and I have been soaking in all the outside time we can, doing some pre-winter projects, working in the garden, eating our meals on the patio and visiting the farm across the road to watch the combine harvest the beans. We had our own little harvest when we picked some apples from the big tree in the meadow this weekend.
I feel like this month’s round-up is a mix of ups and downs as well. Perhaps it reflects my state of mind right now. I hope that you are well.
“… if the person I love has to endure this, then the least I can do is stand there, the least I can do is witness, the least I can do is tell them over and over again, aloud, I love you. We love you. We ain’t going nowhere.”
Lots of thoughts in this amazing and powerful article. But of course the quote above stood out for me the most.
I’m not the kind of Mom that plans activities for my toddler… yet. But @busytoddler may inspire me.
I spent 10 days in the amazing, wonderous place that is Mauritius 20 years ago. To have an oil spill on this island is devastating.
A really cool community project and what we’re going to do with our apples
I can’t stop talking about–or cooking from–this cookbook
Some more beautiful, hopeful quotes, both heard in The Anthropocene Reviewed:
“You were a presence full of light upon this Earth / And I am a witness to your life and to its worth.”
…
“And there was the world, lit by something that cannot shine light but still finds a way to share light.”
Yes, there is grief. Always grief. But I hope that you see there is love and joy and hope and peace too. That is my true state of mind. I wish the same for you.
Home on 129 Acres 
❤️
Oh Julia. I haven’t read the selections yet, but I just want to say…it’s very understandable that there is grief. The light is changing, the season is coming where you lost him. Every cell in your body is possibly reacting to cues you may not even be aware of. I am holding space for you as you live with your grief. xoxo
Thank you. You raised things that I haven’t fully thought of. I appreciate your compassion.
I’m sorry Julia, I can’t say that I understand because if you haven’t been there I don’t think you can truly understand. But I feel your pain and grief deeply. I believe you will have ups and downs for a long long time, but hold tight to those ups! ❤️
Thank you, Sarah. I appreciate your kindness. I do feel that we have more ups than downs. Most of which are due to our adorable, caring, happy little girl.
And Ellie’s little harvest of apples is adorable!