September Musings

 

Fall has always been my favorite time of year, maybe because I was born in late September and I think of myself as a fall baby. But since we got the lake cottage, summer has ranked pretty high on the favorite seasons list, too. This year, though, I’m kinda ready for cooler nights and crisp days, jeans and sweatshirts, and apples from the orchard, even though I’m dreading leaving the lake. In about another month it’ll be time to close up the cottage for the winter, get the boat stored, and say good-bye to our lake friends. That’s the hardest part about shutting down our lake life–saying good-bye.

This year will be different because so much has changed over the years among our lake buddies—two have passed away, five have moved away, and the others are not going south this winter, so maybe we’ll do visits up there during the snowy months this year. I hope so—I miss them all terribly over the winter.

Fall and winter will bring more writing time for me; I have five more books contracted and I need to write. I’ve been thinking I might teach myself to use Scrivener this winter–it would be a good project for me and I would be writing as I was learning. I found some YouTube videos about the program, so I can watch those and maybe figure this thing out. After all, I spent $40 on it–I should use it. Right?

I will be getting back to the pool as fall progresses—lake swimming is out of the question now that the lake has cooled down so much. I miss swimming over the winter, so the gym will take priority after writing in the mornings soon. The weight is coming off again after a small gain this summer, which I attribute to just not being careful enough. We do drink more in the summer–it’s the old I’m a social drinker and I’m with people all the time thing, I think. We also drink more margaritas in the summer and even though they’re carb-free and sugar-free, they’re still 100 calories of tequila. And how on earth are you supposed to drink margs without tortilla chips and salsa? You get the picture.

I’m so excited that it’s now less than a month until Liz and I head to Michigan for our biannual writing retreat. I can’t wait! We both need this time away together. We found a lovely condo in South Haven and plan to write, read, process, hash out stories, eat, drink, and go lighthouse touring. We’ve seen several along that coast, but there a few we haven’t toured yet. We travel well together—both of us are pretty easy. Lake Michigan is my happy place—walking along the packed-sand shore brings peace to my soul.

I read an article a few years ago that talked about September resolutions—how they’re much easier than New Year’s resolutions because they’re inner resolutions. A fall renewing of your spirit and determination. I like that idea, just a quiet resolve to do better. The worrying thing will need work this fall–the knot is back in my stomach, I think mostly because of the November midterm elections. That situation terrifies the tar outta me, but outside of voting, what can I do? Just live my life, love my family and friends, and try to do good where I can. Oh, and remember to breathe . . .

Nan

PS: The Fireman’sChristmas Wish is up for pre-order—Beck and Harley’s story is full of fun and emotion and Christmas. Hope you'll go grab your copy so it will be waiting for you on your e-reader of choice on October 18!