Tear It Down

I've been neglecting my garden the last few weeks. It's only been a so-so year, except for those blasted Sungold cherry tomatoes, and once I picked my pumpkin, I didn't feel that motivated to battle the weeds, milkweed aphids, and grumpy gardeners. But the season is ending, and we got a "needs attention" on our last inspection, so I put on my garden togs, leashed up the dog, and headed out into the glorious October afternoon.

Years ago, I was involved in a big DIY home renovation that involved taking the kitchen and dining room down to the studs. That summer I learned to swing a sledgehammer, which was very satisfying, and I also literally shoveled a couple of tons of plaster and lath, tipping it out the window and into a dumpster one wheelbarrow load at a time. The final product that we built on those bare bones was amazing, but I've always fondly remembered the demolition phase. 

I brought that same attitude to my garden this afternoon. Gloves on and contractor bags at the ready, I pulled out or cut back almost everything. I neatly stacked the tomato cages and dragged eight bags of last summer's growth to the gate. It's too early to think about next season, but I can see the bare bones.

BFC

"Do you always have so much energy?" one of the ladies asked me at bowling the other day. 

I hopped over from my lane to hers, considering her question.

When I didn't answer right away, she continued, "I volunteer in a first-grade class, and I swear you are just as on the go as they are!"

"Thank you," I replied. "I definitely have my downtime, though," I told her, thinking of all the mornings I lounge in my chair. "But I usually feel a little guilty when I sit around too much!" I laughed. "I always prefer to have something to do, and of course? Bowling energizes me!"

"Just like a first grader," she shook her head. "I knew it!"

"My turn to bowl!" I said and jogged away.

After Word

Since Heidi's friend and mentor passed away unexpectedly in early August, we have had two babies born to close friends and family. New life is always something to celebrate, but these two little ones also brought bittersweet reminders to appreciate the present, even as we joyfully consider their limitless futures. 

Coincidentally, the first was born on French's birthday, and the second? Shares his first name.

Itsy Bitsy and Me

I admit I was a little alarmed when what I thought was a bit of hair on the shower wall started crawling my way, but I was already turning on the water, and within seconds the stall was in a downpour. And while I didn't mean the spider any harm, I doubted its survival skills in the face of such a deluge. 

But I was wrong. That arachnid found the tiniest overhang between two subway tiles and contracted its tiny body into an even tinier speck. Oh, I could have washed the spider out, but frankly I was impressed by its staying power, and we shared the space without incident as I conducted my shower routine. 

Once the water was turned off, the plucky little attercop popped out and resumed its full size. I used a paper cup and an index card to capture it before it climbed back up the water spout and disappeared into the bathroom, and it stayed there while I toweled off, moisturized, dried my hair, and got dressed. 

Soon enough, though, I released it on the upstairs deck railing, where it immediately spun a drop line and skittered off into the October morning. 

Power of Yet

I was disappointed to read that the team I wrote about the other day didn't find conclusive evidence to finally solve the mystery of Amelia Earhart's final days, but I appreciated the growth mindset in the subject line of the email update. "The search for Amelia continues," it read, and the message ended with an upbeat summary, capped by a quote from Earhart: "Adventure is worthwhile in itself."

The Pear Doesn't Fall Far From the Tree

Lately, Heidi has been crazy about pears. After I bought a bag with a half dozen pretty pears, she's been enjoying one every night after dinner, and we're on our 4th bag. Coincidentally, she received what seemed like a spam email message from her late dad, with the subject line "Pear Season." 

It turned out to be an annual reminder that Gary set for himself to start eating pears in September. Her brother still manages their dad's email account, and he forwarded the message with affection. 

"Pears are definitely like that," Heidi laughed. "You never think you want them until you have a good one. I guess my dad didn't want to forget that!"

Local Color

We wanted to walk somewhere new, but we didn't want to drive too far, which is a pretty big challenge when you've lived in the same area since 1989. 

I hemmed and hawed about it all day, until finally, around 4:30, it occurred to me that despite seeing them scores of times while whizzing by in cars, I'd never actually walked around the Marine Corps Monument and the Netherlands Carillon, so off we went. 

I didn't think parking would be a challenge at that time of day, and I was right, but our plan to add a loop through Arlington Cemetery was a no-go since they closed at 5. Even so, we put together a couple of miles, spent some time admiring both landmarks and the view, and enjoying the crisp fall weather. 

And we even got a carillon concert!