Halloween

the big chill

On this cold, dark day Theo and I are drinking hot tea and having a quiet day. For Theo it has been Wii in the morning, toys, toys, toys, then a smattering of PBS. As for me, I've been relaxing in the recliner with my kindle and laptop, folding clothes, and keeping up the toddler (feed, take to bathroom, feed, water, clean, feed, bathroom break, feed, and so on). We have been wrapping up our vegetable gardens, only reserving one area for winter garlic. Derek just finished a two week, 3 city marathon of speaking engagements, conventions, etc. I think he's glad to be back and even sleeping on the air mattress (our remodeling is not materializing because the companies are not calling us back, Angie's List A listers are just not that interested I guess!) The fall weather has arrived for real now, no more 90 degree days I hope. I really do love jeans and sweatshirt weather. My senses have been taking in the smell of rotting leaves, burning wood, and the vivid color display before the passing into hibernation. I find myself making pumpkin apple bread, hot drinks, and enjoying the crunch of leaves beneath my feet. Theo is content as usual with the abundance of berries, nuts, and leaves to play with. He's been spouting statements and questions that confound and convince me that his mind is racing, soaking up everything. He can ID almost half of the alphabet, count into the teens, and is becoming more and more influenced by other people's (real and on TV) emotional responses to situations. Because of this new sensitivity, Halloween has become a holiday we are walking lightly past this year. If he sees an example of someone being scared of something else, then he is scared (when before it would not have bothered him at all). If he hears a baby crying he goes up to it and tries to soothe it. He gets very concerned if someone else is in distress. The concepts we have been discussing with him are ever expanding. Theo is veering towards the esoteric one moment and sarcasm the next. Here are some long conversations we have had lately in a nutshell...what is dead? i like cows, i eat cow meat, what does that mean? babies grow into old people. The "why?" phase is next I think. He also likes to go pull out his shoes tell me it's time to go. Yesterday he actually said, "mommy how about (long pause)... something different...yes I to go out." Incidentally we go walking, to the park, and museums a lot. All in all, life is good and I am looking forward to more hot drinks and cold days. Change is good.

October, still 90 degrees...

A Wedding and Gardens