Tag Archives: autumn

Oct9

Countdown

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Countdown

Only twelve days left. Why do the days go by so quickly? The past five months in Washington have been a blur of friends, volunteer work, writers group, book club and writing. I didn’t even get to Canada.

On Monday I went to Leavenworth for one last appointment at Shears. Ann and I went out for brunch and a lovely drive through Tumwater Canyon and Plain where the leaves are already in their autumn glory. Everywhere else, the leaves are just beginning to turn. Fall is late this year.

On Tuesday Linda and I went out for lunch and then to Office Depot. I was delighted to find a mouse pad, not an easy feat around here. Probably should have been more organized and ordered one on Amazon before.

On Wednesday Joanne and I volunteered at the Essentials Table at the Community Church in Cashmere. Then we stopped at the Sure To Rise Bakery. Last visit for me for a while to the Cashmere Library. Downloaded and printed out my piece for writers group next week. Farewell hugs to librarians Lisa and Ashley. And yes we did stop to visit my tree and I took pics. Then it was off to East Wenatchee for a delicious dinner at Olive Garden.

Today is Thursday. I spent the morning going through my closet. Clothes are easy. It’s those darn documents that are so tedious. And I’m leaving tons of those behind in a suitcase. Way too heavy to lug down to Mexico. Warmer clothes too. No use for a Columbia ski jacket or a pair of Sorrels down there.

I’m almost finished reading the book for book club. I will write out my comments and email them to the group as I’ll be back in Mexico when it’s time for the next meeting. Then I’ll be back to reading the books on Libby or Hoopla until I return to Washington next year.

Time for a snack. Yummy watermelon. Then I’ll be off to small group for dinner and Bible study.

Have a great evening!

Oct21

Flights Booked

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Flights Booked

I can’t remember the last time I wrote a blog post, but it’s been quite a while. It seems like when I have the time to sit down and write I lack the inspiration. It’s late afternoon and I glance out at the sky and see the rain clouds rolling in. But today was such a beautiful fall day. The temperature almost reached 70 and it was quite sunny most of the day. Here it is, mid-October, and I enjoyed eating my eggs benedict out on the patio of a restaurant. We actually had the umbrella open to provide some shade.

The leaves have begun to change color and I’ve taken only a handful of photos. I’ve taken hundreds over the years and they’re all stored on my external hard drives. Fall is my favorite season of the year, especially here in Washington state.

But fall is also a procrastination time for me. It means I have to book flights back to Mexico. It’s hard to leave friends and familiar places. But then again, I’m headed home to Aguascalientes to other friends and familiar places. If only travel weren’t so tedious and complicated.

I fly out of Pangborn here in Wenatchee with connecting flights at Sea-Tac and LAX before arriving in Guadalajara. Then it’s a taxi from the airport to the bus station and a short bus ride until I arrive home. Less than 24 hours of travel including layovers. At least this year I don’t have the usual overnight at LAX and I arrive in Aguascalientes in daylight rather than at night.

Speaking of daylight, now comes all the time changes. Clocks roll back here in Washington but Aguascalientes doesn’t do the spring forward fall back thing. I think Winnipeg still does. I wonder who will be on which time zone other than mine when I return to Aguascalientes. That will wreak havoc with my long distance calls until I sort it out.

This upcoming week will be a busy one for a change. Activities range from volunteer work to a memorial service, and include travel to Leavenworth and Cashmere. Routine in no way describes my life. In fact, I thrive on spontaneity and change.

One other upcoming activity will be packing, an arduous task. I’ve accumulated way too many clothes in my closet, most of which will not accompany me to Mexico. A fifty pound limit goes fast with the weight of all the toiletries I bring with me, the majority of which are not available in Mexico. But I have my nifty, new Baggalini laptop bag which will replace my usual backpack. I used this bag on my trips to Canada this summer and was very pleased with the versatility.

I still have three weeks left until I leave. My calendar is filling up quickly, but I will try to post more often.

Oct4

Oh No! It’s October!

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Oh No! It’s October!

October is here. The temperature is cooler and the days are shorter. The leaves are just beginning to turn from green to glorious shades of red and orange. I admit it. Fall is my favorite season.

September flew by in a blur. Here are some highlights. I volunteered at the Chelan County Fair where I checked in baking and preserves. I also volunteered at the 9/11 service in Cashmere. And I volunteered at the Essentials Bank at a church in Cashmere. I also attended the Autumn Leaf Festival parade in Leavenworth and went to writing group in Wenatchee. I ventured out on the Apple Loop Trail in East Wenatchee. And of course I enjoyed spending time with my friends who I will miss dearly when I head back south for the winter.

October is going to be a busy month. It is already. Yesterday was writers group. Today was book club. This weekend so far has a craft fair at my church, a book fair at Pybus Market, a book sale in Cashmere and we’re also going to see the movie White Bird.

Activities for the next few weeks are already beginning to fill my calendar. One thing that I always procrastinate doing is booking a flight back to Mexico. It will be more of a challenge this year as the marathons I used to run through airports on my own two feet will now be done in a wheelchair instead. While the sciatica has eased up considerably, walking long distances is still not an option, especially when I need to go from terminal to terminal in a short period of time if I am to make the connecting flights.

I’ve decided to stay here until after the November election. I’m hoping that the snow will not arrive before then. But if it does, I still have the Columbia ski jacket and the Sorrel boots I bought when I was stranded here over the winter during Covid. In the meantime, I’m going to enjoy the beautiful weather and the colorful leaves on the trees.

Oct6

Last Post From Washington For A While

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Last Post From Washington For A While

This has been a very emotionally draining week. Every year it gets harder to say goodbye to friends for six months. This is my eighth year here and my close friends are my family. The ties grow stronger with every year that I’m here.

Steve came over on Monday and we reminisced a little about Mexico and how I wound up becoming a snowbird between Mexico and Washington state. Of course that first visit back in 2016 wound up stretching to four months instead of the intended two weeks. The snow chased me away that year.

Connie, Joyce and I went out for drinks on Tuesday. We taught fitness classes together in Leavenworth. Joyce moved to Wenatchee, I’m in East Wenatchee and Connie is still in Leavenworth. The three of us don’t see each other nearly as often as we used to.

Joanne and I went out for dinner on Tuesday. She is the reason why Cashmere was selected as a home to Spirit of America. Joanne corralled me as a volunteer at Apple Days for several years and this year at the 9/11 service. She wanted me at Octoberfest and Pioneer Days this coming weekend but I had to bow out as it’s my last weekend before I leave for Mexico. But Joanne already has other volunteer opportunities lined up for me when I return in April.

On Wednesday I bid a fond farewell to Lisa at Shears. But the good news is that she already has me in her appointment book for when I return in April. Flights booked and hair appointment made. Let’s get our priorities straight here.

Yesterday Linda and I got together one last time and we finished watching the last three episodes of The Lincoln Lawyer. Linda and I go back to our days of doing craft and play at VBS. And I even got her out to a couple of Tai Chi classes this year.

Tai Chi. Now this was a really gut-wrenching goodbye today. I have taught a lot of fitness classes, participated in a lot of fitness classes, but never before have met such an amazing group of people who are so positive and so encouraging. We show up long before class starts just to schmooze. We compare war stories about cataracts and other surgeries. Our fearless leader is eighty-nine years young and it was quite emotional as we hugged each other goodbye this afternoon. My Tai Chi buddies presented me with a farewell card, a Thanksgiving card and a vase of flowers. And of course we all hugged and I admit my eyes were welling with tears.

Other goodbyes were to places. Last trip into Leavenworth where the trees are beginning to change color. Last visit to Cashmere to see my tree, scarecrows and Halloween decorations. And I guess it’s really time to go because I picked up my annual Kinkade calendar. 2024 is coming fast.

This is my last post from East Wenatchee. I won’t be posting again until I get settled back in Aguascalientes.

Take are and remember…life is for the living, so live!

Sep18

Maybe Morbid

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Maybe Morbid

If thinking about death or dying makes you uncomfortable, then don’t read this post. Read an older post and wait for the next one. Or read someone else’s blog post. Just don’t read this one.

The other night I had a really strange dream. I dreamt how I was going to die. Isn’t that weird? Not exactly the dream you want to have or even remember. But I woke up the next morning and all the details were still there. The people who were with me. The place where I was. And how I was about to die. I’ll spare you the gist of it but it was a rather violent death. Although the time of death was rather vague.

Normally I try not to think about death or dying. But as I get older, I seem to be surrounded by it more. And especially when Covid hit, and I lost a few people I knew to that ugly virus. Each year I return to Washington state from Mexico and find out that friends have passed away. I also read the Winnipeg Free Press on Saturdays and recognize names in the obituaries as well.

I was talking to a friend the other day whose stepmother is dying. I found out that a former bridge partner passed away. And I’m sure there are more than a handful I don’t even know about. Just last weekend at the 9/11 service in Cashmere, I was reminded of all the people who died because of terrorism.

When I was in Winnipeg over the summer, I went to the cemetery to visit the graves of my parents as well as other family members. I can’t get over how that cemetery has expanded since I was last there five years ago.

However there’s also a positive side to dying. Surprised? I’m referring to how summer is ending and flowers are dying. I view it as fall is approaching which means that those gorgeous, colorful leaves will soon be here. Fall is my favorite time of year, especially here in Washington. My tree in Cashmere is already beginning to change color and I can’t wait to see those spectacular red leaves again. Last year I was already back in Mexico when that happened.

My final comment on death. There was no cliffhanger on this topic when Virgin River ended this season. Actually, after the multitude of cliffhangers last season, there wasn’t much at all this season. We were even told that Charmaine’s twins aren’t Jack’s. A little on the disappointing side.

That’s it for death and dying. On to living now.

Have a great week everyone!

Oct11

Fall Is My Favorite Season

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Fall Is My Favorite Season

When I was younger, my favorite season was spring. In the garden, the perennials came began to grow. The bushes and trees came to life again. As the weather warmed up, I would plant the colorful annuals as well as some vegetables. It was heartwarming to see everything thriving over the summer.

But now fall has become my favorite season, especially here in Leavenworth. The leaves on the trees are all various shades of green, yellow, orange, red and purple. Their color changes daily. I love to take photos and have taken hundreds over the years.

As I write this, I can hear the rustle of the leaves in the wind outside my bedroom window. The forecast was for rain today, but it has not yet arrived. But you can almost smell it in the air.

Usually at this time of year I am starting to think about returning to Mexico. Instead I have just arrived in Leavenworth. Covid-19 has certainly turned my world upside down.

Thankfully I arrived in time to enjoy the colorful leaves before the temperature plummets. The harvesting of pears and apples from the trees is also almost complete.
In addition to the spectacular sight of all the gorgeous trees, I love to hear the crunch of the fallen leaves as I walk. Of course fallen leaves also means the chores of raking and burning, which I gladly leave to others.

I hope that autumn lingers for a while longer.

Sep30

Yesterday

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Yesterday

Yesterday morning I went to Cashmere. I remember vividly the first time I visited this town and a flood of memories of other visits came to mind as well.

I’ll start with Spirit of America. And the 9/11 memorial services I’ve attended. And the many times I’ve come here to just think and reflect.

I wandered through the downtown. I went to the bakery for an apple fritter and had a lovely visit with staff who remembered me, the Canadian who has adopted Leavenworth as a summer home. I went to the bank. I passed by the library. I noticed a few minor changes as a result of Covid-19. My favorite Mexican restaurant, Agave Azul now offers takeout and curbside only. Scarecrows have begun to appear as October is just around the corner bringing with it Scarecrow Days.

My favorite pastime is walking the streets and admiring the trees as they change color. My favorite red maple is just beginning to show its fall color.

Here are some other photos of trees on Cottage Avenue.

October also means Halloween is on the way. Decorating has begun early this year.

It’s the end of September and some flowers are still blooming.

Later in the day a walk through downtown Leavenworth was on the agenda. Front Street is closed to traffic now in order to provide additional outdoor seating for restaurants due to physical distancing practices. It was sad to see that some shops and restaurants are now permanently closed as a result of Covid-19. The usual celebrations and festivals have all been cancelled this year as well. But even the virus can’t stop the glorious fall colors of the leaves.

The beautiful hanging baskets add to the charm of this Bavarian village.

The park and gazebo area are also favorites of mine.

I’m here. I’m back. Very different from where I was living ten days ago. It’s nice to be back home.

Sep2

Try To Remember The Kind Of September

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Try To Remember The Kind Of September

Try To Remember The Kind Of September

This song captured my heart when I heard it live for the first time decades ago at a performance of The Fantasticks at the old Playhouse Theater in Winnipeg. I love live performances and much prefer them to movies.

With September’s arrival this year it reminded me of this song. Then other September memories resurfaced.

September was synonymous with going back to school after summer holidays. It was never a favorite time when I was going back to school myself, but once I had children it sure became one. I was exhausted from juggling year end at work and chauffeuring my kids around all summer to their many activities and play dates.

The past few years I’ve really enjoyed the month of September. In Washington state the leaves on the trees begin to change color. The temperature cools down. I look forward to Autumn Leaf Festival, Chelan County Fair, Apple Days and Scarecrow Days. But this September I’m still in Mexico.

September 16th is Independence Day. And I wonder what type of celebrations will be held here in Aguascalientes. Will crowds of people gather to hear the gritto? Will there be fireworks? That has been my experience in the past in other areas of the country. Of course COVID-19 wasn’t around back then.

I’ll have to find a more patriotic-looking mask than the one in the above photo.

Oct8

Autumn in Washington

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Autumn in Washington

Autumn has long been my favorite season of the year. Trees and bushes show their glorious fall foliage. Once they fall to the ground they make a crunching sound under my feet as I walk along the street.

When my son was a toddler, we would head for Assiniboine Park in Winnipeg where we would collect leaves. He would squeal gleefully as he darted about  looking for different colors and shapes. We would take our treasures home, wrap them in saran, and place them carefully in one of my heaviest cookbooks to preserve them. I actually saved that one cookbook with the last leaves we collected and it’s hidden beneath some photo albums in a bin stored at my son’s house. A beautiful memory.

Image result for assiniboine park in the fall

Two years ago I spent a couple of days in Toronto. My friend Deborah lived by the lake and I recall our wonderful walk among the colorful trees in the neighborhood. I hadn’t experienced fall in a while as Mexico has a totally different climate and vegetation.

Image result for pictures of toronto in the fall

Last summer I discovered Washington state and I returned again this year to enjoy the summer and fall. Busloads of tourists come to Leavenworth to admire the amazing display of color at this time of year. The Autumn Leaf Festival held two weekends ago attracted hundreds of tourists. The Salmon Festival also happened recently. But we are now in the midst of three weekends of Oktoberfest, which means thousands of people flocking to Leavenworth.

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Oktoberfest! This quaint Bavarian village is synonymous with the Oktoberfest celebration. Lederhosen and dirndls are worn by many. Entertainment abounds at three different venues. Bratwurst on a bun is just one of the many items on the menu. And of course there are numerous types of beer to choose from. Hotels and campgrounds are booked solid. Driving through town is more like a congested parking lot.

Image result for images of oktoberfest costumes in leavenworth

This weekend Apple Days was held at the Pioneer Museum in Cashmere. Yours truly got caught up in the spirit and volunteered in the vintage railroad ticket station. Entertainment varied from gymnasts to mariachi and more. Shoot outs were held on the hour. And of course an apple pie baking contest was featured. This gentleman was serving up sarsaparilla in the bar.

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A wind blew in yesterday and a shower of pine needles has covered the ground. The aroma is heavenly. And my favorite tree in Cashmere has begun to change color.

My Tree Cashmere (2)