Belated News from the Home Front

While editing some pix of a Versace tie, Jacob's pet snake Fluffy briefly appeared in the shapes.  Fluffy's whereabouts are a little problematic as he disappeared last month and has not been seen since. We'll see how long he can go before he finally shows up, curled up under a chair and scaring the living daylights out of me.

A Reduction in Numbers

 

We had an atypical Thanksgiving dinner this year with just three of us at the table. The meal felt like something to be consumed rather than savored but overall I made a very nice repast. (and dessert awaits after the post dinner nap.)

Eldest daughter is observing the holiday in L.A. with friends and middle daughter is at her place of employment so my dining companions of son and husband meant that dinner was dispatched quickly and our small party broke away from the table in a record 22 minutes. (I did enjoy cooking  this afternoon and was amused by Crisley Knows Best and all things Lifetime television.)

For all of you for whom life is not a Hallmark card, you have my empathy and respect. Still gratitude seems like an effort worth making- no matter how small the gathering at your hearth and how fleeting the connection.

Channeling my Inner Ebay

 

 

A day spent doing still lives and posting to Ebay inspires me to simplify more- something that brings a little peace.

(Terrible events in Paris. Too hard to comprehend the evil. Heartbreaking and terrifying.)

Waning

The days are shortening and it's easy to draw your attention inwards. There is a lot of activity but little tranquility- the family morphs and rearranges itself. After living here for twenty years I feel restless for something different. It's not likely to be better, and likely to pose new challenges and frustrations. Still simplifying our lives while expanding my horizons energizes me as the colors outside churn and fade to dull facsimiles of their prior glory. Another reminder that you can't hold back time.

Dusk (in November)

The dusk in autumn reveals a palette shift and the glow outside the window captures my gaze through my viewfinder as I examine focus and exposure. There are so many little things that make living here special- it's good to try and document these moments when life allows.

Suburban Lament

As a resident and elected official I am going to have to enter a twelve step program to manage my disinterest in Halloween. (or as is understood around here- our zip code's Christmas.) I won't bore you with the complete list of offerings including historic properties staging spooky events, a famous story read in a famous church, a Village-sponsored haunted hayride through a landmark cemetery along with an eager coterie of public employees (police and dpw) who are pleased to be on the receiving end of a ton of overtime (thankfully mostly paid by the event operators) and this year's delivery of good weather brought a new level of satisfaction to all involved. I hate driving to town on any weekend in October because there are sure to be traffic jams and I hate all the people wandering around taking the same predictable photos in front of our landmarks- documenting their visit to Sleepy Hollow.

I probably sound cynical, and I am. It's taken most of the pleasure I once found in October and replaced it with carloads of tourists- not my favorite form of revenue creation. But, the Legend goes hand in hand with living here. Luckily, when Halloween finally arrives, the trick or treaters make up for the onslaught of hype.