Autumn is my favorite time of year, as I’ve said before–I love the ‘new beginning’ feel of it (doubtless a holdover from school days), the changing colors of the leaves, the (mostly) sunny weather and the crisp breezes and the sugar-bowl-blue skies. At the same time, it always makes me wonder, Where did the time go???? 2013 still feels like a New Year to me, and here it is, almost gone. How is that even possible? Five minutes ago, we were carving pumpkins for Halloween and now it’s time to do it again.
Yikes.
The weekend was lovely–Wendy and I met up with some of our kin folks at Northern Quest Casino’s buffet, where we dined in style, talking a mile a minute–it was a mini family reunion. We gathered to celebrate my Aunt Donna’s recent birthday, however belatedly. I was in Jackson Hole on the actual day and, since it was a milestone, I figured a second party was in order. The visit was wonderful; there was a lot of laughter, like always. We’re already planning a bash for Aunt Wanna, whose birthday falls in December.
I was at home the rest of the time, happily puttering, reading, gluing and painting. 🙂 I made two small Christmas ornaments, inspired by an article in the current issue of Somerset Holidays, and they’re very cute, if a little on the work-intensive side. Basically, they’re match boxes, with an opening made by a paper punch, and some kind of scene inside. The hanger is a strand of ribbon and the look is delightfully old-fashioned, in that fussy Victorian sort of way–as in, lots of glitter and small embellishments. I might make more, but I think I want to use the larger match boxes.
I’m STILL holding on to Sue Grafton’s “W is for Wasted”, though I’ve read a few pages. I just don’t want to say good-bye to Kinsey for another year!
I listened to “An American Childhood” by Annie Dillard on my iPod. (Her novel, “The Living”, was one of the best books I’ve ever read). Like Pat Conroy, Dillard is one of those writers who take my breath away. I also listened to “Coming Clean”, the memoirs of a woman who grew up with a hoarder father and a mother who basically gave up and joined him, and it was quite sobering. I thought my craft room was bad–this story went well beyond clutter, though. Yeesh. If you want the details, you’ll have to read or listen to the book–it’s not for the faint of heart. 🙂
Television is improving slighty–emphasis on slightly–because new seasons are starting. Theresa Caputo’s Long Island Medium is a favorite, not so much because of her talking to dead people, but because Theresa herself is so delightful. I’m on the lookout for new episodes of Celebrity Ghost Stories, too, and my new editor, Paula, recommended a mini series by Ric Burns (brother of Ken, of “The Civil War” fame), called “History of New York.” I’ll be looking that one up on Netflix, for sure.
Because of my work, I’ve been to New York a number of times, but I’ve never gotten to stay very long. This year, I’ve taken a small apartment near Gramercy Park for three weeks in June. For all my visits to the Big Apple, I’ve never been to ANY of the museums, so 2014 is the year. I especially want to see a place called The Cloisters.
To wrap it up, this week’s contest begins today. Start commenting–later in the week, Jen will notify the winners, and I’ll announce the names on Friday.
In the meantime, God bless every one of you.
About Linda
The daughter of a town marshal, Linda Lael Miller is a #1 New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of more than 100 historical and contemporary novels, most of which reflect her love of the West.
Raised in Northport, Washington, Linda pursued her wanderlust, living in London and Arizona and traveling the world before returning to the state of her birth to settle down on a horse property outside Spokane.
