Ten Tips To Help Prepare for the Autumn Season

I think my friends are split in half. Half are crying sad tears as the weather gets cooler and the leaves start to turn. The other half are like me waiting to buy mums for the porch, pulling out the heavy socks and sweatshirts, and sitting around the fire pit in the evening to warm up.

Whichever side you are on, here are some tips to help you prepare for this upcoming season:
1. Match your warm socks in your drawer so can reach them as needed.
2. Make sure there is wood ready for a fire in the pit out back.
3. Dig out the  "Sweater Weather" candle and light it. (favorite scent from Bath and Bodyworks)
4. Review your Pineterest board "Pumpkin Everything".
5.  Find the harvest flag purchased 80% off last January.
6.  Buy school supplies just because they are there.
7. Plan a Sunday dinner that will use the Crock -Pot.
8. Start taking pictures of every leaf that turns or falls in your yard.
9. Store the flipflops.
10. Buy Mason jars to prepare for canning, whether you can or not. I am sure there is a craft that can be created using those those jars.

The Shed Notebook: Life Starts All Over Again

Just a week ago we were hunkered down in the house avoiding hot, hot weather and smoke filled skies from surrouding wildfires. Then all of a sudden cool air moved in, The skies cleared. I dug out warm socks in the morning. Rain fell. Friends built fires and turned on furnances. Just like that life started all over again, The crisp of fall had arrived.

Each season has unique features, but fall is the season that life starts all over again for me. Part of the reason for this was being a teacher for so many years. A new school year started in fall. That meant new students, new school supplies, new teacher clothes, and new hope for a successful year,

Now that I am retired I enjoy fall even more. Summer flowers begin to fade, summer bounty gets preserved for winter meals, the air is fresher. It is cooler working outside, and the birds return for autumn feeding.  It is time to bring in a bright bouquet of mums and end the day around a fire sipping warm beverages while snuggling in hooded sweatshirts. It is time for vacations to places of beauty that are quiet and not so full of people. It is also returning to the warm comfort of home,

Life starts again in my creative life in the fall. I want to crack open a new journal and a new pen and write more, find time to start creative projects, and be inspired by other creative people. Fall is the time I love to tackle the stack of  books I've wanted to read. Give me a good cup of coffee, a soft chair, a good book, and a warm blanket and I am set.

I also love the foods of fall that bring comfort and fill the house with delicious smells. I am ready for hearty soups, grilled vegetables that have been harvested, Sunday dinners with oven roasted meals, warm sweet breads, and the aroma of cinnamon and nutmeg. 

I do appreciate different parts of all seasons. I am pleased I live in a place with four distinct seasons, so know that I don't hole up in the house the rest of year and pout until the first leaf changes. Our first leaves haven't even turned yet, but soon the smell of burning leaves, outdoor fires, and ripened apples will surround us. I am ready. 

The Shed Notebook: Remembering Mom and The Smallest Things

"Sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in your heart."- Winnie the Pooh

My mother died one year ago today. Mom also loved Winnie the Pooh. The quote I found today seems fitting as I reflect on Mom's life a year later.   I learned when Mom was ill and after she died she did the smallest things for others. When I would run into someone at the store, or a friend of hers  would come into the library, or family members would read another card sent in memory of Mom, there were always the smallest things people we remembered. We knew the big things. Her former students shared stories of her creative classroom, her animals in her classroom, her Valentine post office, and reading "Mrs. Piggle Wiggle." Her friends remembered her dedication to her teacher association, PTA, the Library Board, and her friendship. Her family will never forget the meals she prepared, the strong hand to reassure in time of need, her love for television shows and soaps,the vegetables and flowers from the garden, and the fruit cake, popcorn balls, and cookies at Christmas.

 I learned of the little things. She came home and brought a heater up to a cold building when the librarian was selling books at the annual book sale. Her and dad found extra money so a friend could get out of jail and be home for Christmas with his family. There was a story of how she stood in the sweltering sun selling sloppy joes at Frontier Days to support the Silver King School PTA. Mom volunteered at my own Chili Feed in the evening at my school since she couldn't volunteer during the day. She remembered her former students that were staff at Kindred during her last months even though she taught them over fifty years ago. When she was tired, couldn't remember things, hurt all over, and was confused in her last months of life she always thanked the workers, had a smile on her face when people came to visit, and listened to others tell their sad stories. She held my hand while I cried over the death of my dog Annie.
Those smallest things filled up my mother's heart. That is another part of her I love and miss a year later.

The Shed Notebook: Ten Lessons Learned While Recuperating From Knee Surgery

Forty days ago I had knee replacement surgery. My knee was worn out from arthritis and bone spurs around the knee made walking difficult. I did everything my surgeon and physical therapist told me to do, because that is what I thought I should do. I've been told that my recovery has been better than most. I didn't have a lot of swelling, I was able to walk without a walker quickly, and physical therapy was bearable.  This is what I learned:
1. "It is not a sprint, it is a marathon". My wise physical therapist reminded me of this early on. Recovery needs to move slowly.
2. Ice is the magic bullet in recovery. My Polar Ice Therapy Machine has been my best friend.
3. Life goes on if the flowers aren't deadheaded in a timely manner.
4. Sleep heals no matter what time of day or night you get it.
5. Painted toes make the healing happen faster. Go figure!
6. A sweet husband can do laundry.... he can even fold it and put it away!
7. Stay away from knee surgery images on Google.
8. It is important to do daily exercises even if Candy Crush, Words With Friends and Tetris are calling.
9. It is important to keep the DVR full of  shows. I could actually watch and exercise at the same time.
10. The best medicine for recovery has been ice cream. Each time I try a new flavor I feel even better. I don't know if there is medical research to support this, but it is working for me. Best healing flavor? Tillamook Chocolate Peanut Butter! I am sure there are other ailments a variety of ice cream flavors will heal.

The cards, messages, gifts, food, coffee drinks, encouragement, and kind words have helped immensly. Thank you friends and family.