isn't it ironic?

Most times when we drive to Chicago we plan our departure times to avoid the second-worst-in-the-world traffic statistic. However there are times when we don't make that precious window of time and we are just one car in the sea of turtle-paced vehicles.

We left Chicago on Monday morning and stopped by our other daughter's home for a quick chat and good-bye hug. Wouldn't you know, the traffic was moving and it continued to flow all the way out of the city. This was the fastest trip home we've ever had.

 

monday's mulling: the farm, the hunter's moon, and one of my dogs

Tuesday is my last day working at the farm, which closes for the season on October 31. Sigh. It’s a bittersweet time of year.

I’ll miss the camaraderie of my workmates and bosses, chatting with customers, watching the seasons change, and being surrounded by fresh vegetables and fresh air. I’ll miss picking vegetables, too, and most of all, the sense of peace I find in that place. There’s something special about working close to the earth, watching the days grow shorter, and feeling the rhythm of the seasons.

Until next year...

Speaking of the changing seasons, tonight’s full moon is known as the Hunter's Moon. The first full moon of autumn is the Harvest Moon, traditionally associated with gathering the last of the crops. The next full moon, the Hunter’s Moon, takes its name from the time of year when people prepared for the coming winter by hunting and storing meat.

Photo: Meteorologist Nick Dunn, WHIO

For me, the Hunter’s Moon also brings a happy memory. Whenever it appears, I can’t help thinking about my sweet, goofy chocolate Lab, Hunter.

Hunter came into our lives as a puppy when my daughter was attending summer school at Miami University. She and a friend thought having a dog at school would be a wonderful idea. What they hadn’t thought of was their house leases included a no-pets clause and so little puppy Hunter came to Dayton to live with us.

He quickly became a beloved member of our family and was with us for 12 wonderful years. He brought us so much love, laughter, and companionship, and this full moon that bears his name brings back memories my goofy boy.

Autumn settles in, the farm closes its doors for another season, the nights grow colder, and the Hunter’s Moon lights up the sky. This time of year holds endings, memories, and the promise of beginnings yet to come.

on this day...

On this day, October 25, in 1974, Alexander Calder unveiled his Flamingo sculpture in Chicago’s Federal Plaza. Surrounded by towering, dark government skyscrapers, Calder transformed the plaza with his monumental sculpture, its vibrant red bringing a burst of color to the somber landscape.The curved forms offered a striking contrast to the rigid lines and angular geometry of the surrounding architecture. By leaving the sculpture’s base wide open, Calder created a walk-through space that invited people to move through and experience the artwork from within. In doing so, he turned an austere public plaza into an open-air encounter with art, bringing color, movement, and human connection to the heart of Chicago.

And on a smaller scale, here I am in my "Calder Red" raincoat at the Art Institute of Chicago where Alexander Calder unveiled the official model for The Flamingo on  April 23, 1973. It's right by Marc Chagall's America's Windows.

just a little road trip

Chicago kids to Dayton last weekend. Dayton grandparents to Chicago this weekend.

Happy times.

 

the friday feed: where's the beef?

My husband loves a good deal, and Costco, where everything comes big, is one of his favorite shopping spots.

A couple of months ago, he made a solo trip to Costco and came home with what he considered a real bargain: a 13-pound slab of beef.

Yep. Thirteen pounds.

The beef took up space in our freezer for the next couple of months with me asking periodically, "Have you decided what you're going to do with Elsie?" On Tuesday, my husband took it out to thaw, and by Wednesday, while it was still a bit icy, he was slicing it into steaks.

Four of those steaks traveled with us to Chicago, where our son-in-law fired up his charcoal Weber grill and turned them into dinner. We served them alongside twice-baked potatoes and a fresh salad with my daughter's homemade dressing made with tahini.

And just like that, a Costco bargain that had spent months taking up freezer space became a delicious family meal.

thursday's thought for the day

I have learned that there is more power in a good strong hug than in a thousand meaningful words. ~ Ann Hood

Jenny and I work together at the farm. She's had a rough few months dealing with a cheating husband, an impending divorce, and her father died. One day before we opened for business, she broke down, and it was one of those moments where words wouldn't do, but a hug would. And we hugged until she was ready to let go.

wednesday's words and wanderings and wonderings

My nephew’s wedding was this past weekend, bringing family into town for a few busy days filled with fun and celebration. My little Chicago grandson was here, too, and got to see more of my world, including my giant pumpkin along with a visit to the farm.

Per my sister-in-law's request, I baked 10 dozen caramel cream sandwich cookies for the cookie bar at the wedding reception. They're a family favorite but they're double-sided. Do the math...that's 240 cookies and they still needed to be frosted and sandwiched. My angel sister and came over to help with frosting and by the end of our assembly marathon we used four batches of brown butter icing.

It was a beautiful fall day to celebrate the marriage of two wonderful young people. My nephew is my parents’ youngest grandchild and the last of the cousins to get married. Having all these young adults together was such a joy, and it made the day even more special.

By Sunday afternoon, I was the only one left in the house. The Cleveland kids headed home to relieve Nana and Papa of their babysitting duties, while Todd went to Cleveland to watch the Browns game. The Chicago crew left around 4:00, and just like that, the house was really quiet. 

I’ve made a couple of trips to downtown Dayton this week. I visited the Downtown Library to see a photo exhibit and then stumbled upon some interesting information about the father of a famous Daytonian. Those stories deserve more than a little blurb in this post, so stay tuned…

The sculpture pictured above, The Common Good, stands outside the Dayton Metro Library. It features thirteen quotes from notable figures throughout American history, including John F. Kennedy, Thomas Jefferson, and Muhammad Ali. The design itself is all about connection: the seating on either side faces outward, while an opening through the center invites people to speak with one another. It’s a reminder of the importance of dialogue, even when we see the world from different perspectives.