Finally the sun came out and the air warmed up.  The breeze scattered colorful leaves across paths and in front of everyone's eyes who chose to notice.  Apparently most people missed the weather forecast, because Eddy and I were nearly the only ones out to enjoy the perfect day.  That made it all the more perfect.

I dusted off the long ignored but beloved bicycle and Eddy's trailer and gathered together so many miscellaneous items involved in a ride.  There sure is a lot to these things!  Helpful Eddy wandered around finding things for me, until he became Patient Eddy, as he sat in the trailer and watched me run in and out and around with all the other things I forgot.  Air pumped, adorned, packed and ready, we crunched our way to the road and whizzed out of sight...of home, that is.

Down a long easy hill to quaint Afton, then around in circles until we found the beginning of the St. Croix River Trail, a bike path we've admired since moving here.  It was prettier than we'd thought, weaving in and out of woods and over creeks.  Leaves beneath, all around, and hanging over us became that shadowy mysterious world we visit every now and again, when our mind allows us.  Eddy called it the "dark tunnel," and enjoyed it immensely.

We re-emerged in the sun and on to the bridge crossing the St. Croix.  Here came the most majestic part of our day.  Right along the edge of the bridge and moving at a leisurely, look-around-you pace, we were able to take in the fullness of our River.  All those sparkles, that span, the walls of multi-colored trees from where the tiny docks poked out.  It made me swoon.  I unwisely stopped on the highway bridge and took a picture. I couldn't help myself.

The cool bike trail switched back at the end of the bridge and curved right under the highway on the other bank, rejoined the road, and turned to head right into historic downtown Hudson.  After many more picture stops, lessons in patience for Eddy, and a giant hill, we made it to the store.  It severely lacks a bike rack, but otherwise our errand went well.

Across town, down the giant hill, through downtown, and we rejoined our new friend, the bike trail.  Under the highway, over good view bridge, past fields and through woodsy tunnels to a wooden playground we went.  It was the best place to go.  A sedentary Eddy turned active and a worn out mommy sat on a bench on the phone.  Then back up, up, up the Afton Blvd. hill until...after...what seems like...forever...we made it home.  Yay!

Never underestimate the power of outdoor exercise!  Thank the Lord and my husband for this stay-at-home mom life I lead.  It has its perks.

Late last night we experienced a really strong thunderstorm, lightening and thunder in loud, fast succession, pelting rain and hail, and tons of wind.

Eddy ran into our room and declared, "I'm scared."  At first we popped him in our bed until it quieted outside a little (about half an hour), and sent him back to his room.  Ten minutes later, back he came.  "It's scary."  We hugged him and sent him to bed.  Ten minutes later, pat pat pat.  Here he comes again.
     "I'm scared."
     "It'll be okay, sweetie."
     "Oh, I'll be fine."  And he turned around and went to bed =)

Soon after, it got really bad.  Dan went to check the weather, and to make sure his equipment and product were safe.  Eddy and I were going to snuggle in bed until four words from Dan popped me out of bed with Eddy and blanket in arm faster than you'd think is possible at that hour.  "Could be a tornado."  We decided to wait downstairs.

The thunder got louder.  The lightening got faster.  So fast, in fact, I had to shut my eyes from the strobe light effect.  Eddy was scared.  I held him on a cushy chair and tried to stay calm.  Dan didn't come in.  The storm was really loud.  I've never been in a tornado before.  He said it is extremely loud and comes without warning.  Will we have time to run outside to the cellar if it comes?  Will that put us in danger of this close lightening?  I couldn't take it any longer and popped out of the chair with Eddy.  I was ready to head out to the cellar when I looked through the door on the porch and spotted Dan, sitting at the computer.  I exhaled.  Finally.

Dan was examining the weather radar in expert fashion, having studied meteorology and practiced "reading the skies" sensibly for his business for years.  Boy, was I relieved.  He was safe.  He was right by us.  He wasn't worried.  Best yet, he wasn't doing anything drastic.  The storm must be okay.  We'll wait for a word from him.  I sank into the chair, this time with truly comforting words for Eddy, because I was comforted.

"It'll be okay.  Mommy's right here.  I've got you.  Daddy's right here.  He'll protect us.  God loves us, and he's bigger than any storm."  We sat peaceful and quiet until Dan came in.

Apparently there were tiny dots of storms speckled from the twin cities all the way down to Iowa.  The 5-mile speckle we were in was one of the worst, but it would soon pass.  No tornado warnings or watches.  No hail large enough to damage anything.  Back to bed we went.

Pat, pat pat, in our room came Eddy again.  Still too scary.  2:30am now.  Dan just wanted sleep.  Eddy wasn't going to leave, so I pulled him in bed.  Dan jumped right out and retreated to the guest room.

I figured Eddy would wonder why so I explained, "Daddy had to leave because he can't sleep when you wiggle so much."
     Eddy's head sprang up. "It's okay mommy.  It's not a problem."

He got sent back as soon as the thunder quieted.

Oh, and look at that!  Another one of our trees got split in half.  This one landed on our neighbor's cow pasture. No wonder that thunder was so loud.  It sure was close.

BEFORE

AFTER

I never would have believed it when I was a teenager, but it's true.  There is never a dull moment for a parent.  There are many cute moments, some happy moments, frustrating moments, exciting moments, even a few restful moments, but not dull.  Eddy makes certain of that.

For the last 4-5 weeks Eddy (and his cousins when they were here) has wanted to watch one of the favorite kids' movies in the house: Curious George!  But after searching the house over and over again, I gave up trying, and just told Eddy, "It's lost. Sorry, bud."

Today the temperature was in the 40's all morning, so Dan and I decided to start our first fire of the season in the wood stove.  I'm recovering from the flu, and couldn't wait to get it warmed up in here.  We started it late morning and by Eddy's naptime the house was warming nicely.  He went to bed.  Good timing, as it turns out.

A few minutes later Dan noticed some smoke coming from one of the vents in the wood stove.  Maybe it's just dust from over the summer...but, seems like a lot of smoke for a bit of dust.  Peering into the hole with a flashlight he spotted it. "It's Curious George." My heart sank.  If only we had found it sooner.

Well, we set right to work.  First we transported the red hot fire outside, via a metal trash can.  I'm surprised Eddy didn't wake up to that.  Every smoke detector in the house went off. (mental note: don't count on Eddy in a house fire) Then we systematically removed as much of the DVD and case from the vent as we could with Mom's old metal spatula, a bent metal yardstick and a needle nosed pliers.  The plastic that remained we decided to burn off, with the windows open, of course.  Time to bring the that fire back in.

The whole incident just made Dan and me laugh.  There really is "never a dull moment"!  Unfortunately Eddy won't be laughing when he sees what's left of his movie.  Live and learn!

Every year Dan and I are running full speed in lawn care by March, every year we spend our summer weekdays an hour away from our hometown to run the business.  Every year we come back some time in October and start to patch things up with our friends and get involved with church again.  It's a schedule I've become used to.  I don't panic anymore in the rush of things, but remember it'll pass, and it always does.  But there is always pain involved.

Today I was feeling it a little more than usual, until an unexpected visitor walked right through my anxieties, and let me know I wasn't alone.

Jeanne is much older than me, Dan's mom's friend, in fact.  But she's always been a nearby neighbor and friend to the Hobbs, as far as I can remember, and she feels right at home here.  And ever since I moved in, I've benefited from their relationship.  For Jeanne's heart never strays from a person, even if it's been a long time.  She'll pop in and start a conversation on politics or kids or family or schedules just as easy as pie, with no awkwardness or catching up needed.  Today it was as if I had never left, which is what I needed.

I think I'll take a lesson from this openhearted friend, and take her up on her invitation to "Come to our house any time of day."  After all, she's just first right and a left and you're there.

Thanks, Jeanne.

Dan went home to Afton last night.  Eddy and I are staying in Eau Claire for the week.  We have lots to do!  Today we started our projects off with a bang and a rush and a lot of errand-running!  The sun shone and we trekked from store to store, gathering really random supplies for gifts and events and meals and gardening and money-saving adventures.  It was a tough job, but somebody had to do it!

I walked toward the greenhouse and spotted something brown in our field.  Could it be...turkeys?  Dan mentioned they liked to hang out there, but I'd never gotten close enough to get a good look.  I quickly and stelthily ran through the greenhouse ducking behind blackberry bushes and carefully poked out the other side with my camera.  There they were, eating away.  There were a dozen of them!  I'd never greeted wild turkeys from this close before.  I love the country.  Predictably they didn't like me, though.  All of them trotted off to keep a good distance away each time I advanced.  But they sure were pretty.  After I'd scared them enough for one day I ran back home and left them to their field.

Anyone for wild thanksgiving dinner?

Harvests.  Fairs.  Core aerations.  Visits.  Visitors.  Farmer's markets.  School kids.  Allergies.  Sweaters.  Walks.  Grill outs.  Canning.  Bonfires.  College students.

This is my fall.  One thing falls onto another, pushing yet another back later.  Fun events crowd for importance until I can't remember the last time I cleaned.  Mass vegetable processing is a weekly ritual.  Winter is coming.  I can feel it in my bones.  You can smell the anticipation of rest in the cold wind around our house.  The last services of the season.  Only a few weeks to go. I try to keep my mind in active motion, instead of falling into the fog of suspense.  Here we go.

Music concerts are everywhere.  I was delighted to see a friend, Aaron Spina on his guitar at the farmer's market last month.  Kudos to a town that appreciates local talent.  I've also had many pleasant hellos with long lost acquaintances at the farmer's market.  And the art booths are always worth studying.  Eddy mostly enjoys the free samples and homemade treats.

The Minnesota State Fair is a long time tradition in my family.  I'm very proud of it.  Both my parents grew up in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, and both went to the fair as kids.  My dad, in a large family on a dairy farm, showed cows and projects with his siblings every year, and set aside the whole week and a half for the fair every year.  My mom, a more recreational fairgoer, tells all about what the fair looked like when she was young.  What it was, how it's changed, and those few booths that have stood the test of time.  Dan, Eddy and I took an evening to visit the fair this year.  We can't lose with tradition.  We always make a point to spend as little money as possible, while enjoying the fair to the fullest.  A $1 never-ending glass of milk from the milk barn, a ride with Eddy down the giant slide, and all else is animals, giant pumpkins, tractors, and people.  It does help to bring tasty snacks along to ward off the mouth watering but overpriced fair delicacies all around.  But just the sight of sky and lights and people at dusk is enough to make us happy.

My vegetables keep producing.  When I'm done here I am off to check the ripeness of the cantaloupes and watermelons.  I'll see if there is still more zucchini.  I've done enough blackberry trimming.  Now to see if I have a crop.  I think some potatoes can be dug as well.  There will be more chopping and boiling and freezing and drying today.  Oh, for a commercial grade dehydrator!

The day after the fair, Eddy and I prepared our house for two extra kids, then traveled to Rochester to see Aunty Lindsey's new house and to pick up the beloved cousins, Emma and Elie.  They greeted us with squeals and hugs and toys and tours, and we all ate together.  They rode home with us to arrive already past bedtime.  Personally I think everyone was too excited for their own good, and would've prevented some hurt feelings if they had relaxed a bit, but, what else do kids do?  I still smile when I think of Eddy's reaction to the two extra beds in his room for the 2 nights.  His head popped off his pillow like a spring every 5 seconds.  He didn't want to miss a bit of fun.  All day and the next, we crafted and cooked and gardened and swung and walked and watched movies and tricycled and scootered and bathed until I wore the kids out silly, as they did to me.  The party moved to Eau Claire where we met their mother for another 2-day round.  Then home and to bed for everyone.

There's a cold wind in the air every day.  Sweatshirts and fleeces are required everywhere, in and out, especially in the mornings.  My slippers and I are enjoying our reunion.  Our church is preparing for all the grade-switching and huge swell of attendance during the first week of school for college and grade schools alike.  This is my fall.