On Friday we said good bye to summer of 2023. And for me, it was an odd one. What started off fine made a turn for a, well, for a challenging one.
Bye Bye Summer! See ya next year!
Granted, I was fortunate enough to go to France, but while there, I had a premonition that my job was somehow endangered. My feeling was spot on because as soon as I went back to the office, I discovered my position was eliminated.
Do you think someone was angry that I was in France?
That’s the end of what I’m going to say about it other than I will continue to feel that one person, and only one person, was responsible for that.
The remainder of the summer floated by in a blur. The weather was hot and humid, which is expected in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic areas of the States. I had MOHS surgery on my leg as the result of too much sun and not enough sunscreen as a child.
The hole in my leg is now replaced with a perfectly round scab.
We had a great weekend on Long Island at my sister’s house and spent almost every remaining Saturday at Stone Harbor. I read books. I journaled. I got triggered by MSNBC and CNN and their constant showcasing of that criminal ex-president.
I’m somewhat relieved to be taking a break for the beach until next year!
My journals, all three, have a lot held inside!
I lost weight and have been doing it by NOT dieting. Everything that I eat or drink is tracked. I’m mindful of the pasta and bread and have cut down. The sweets are taken in bits and pieces. I have ten pounds to go but I’m not putting a timeline on it.
With around ten pounds to go, I’m feeling more comfortable in clothing!
In fact, the only timeline I’m going by is this—if I don’t find a job in three months, by December, I will apply for retirement benefits. Simple as that. I cannot make anyone hire me. I cannot compete with youth. I’m tired of human resources and corporate culture. The thought a job interview and the phoniness that accompanies it, turns my stomach. I am, however, working on writing something. I don’t want to give it away because I’m superstitious.
No! Retail hours are horrific. As much as I enjoyed my time at Nordstrom, those weekend hours were brutal!
Instead, I’m welcoming the Autumnal season with open arms and a comfy sweater! The shorter days will keep me focused on what I need to do. It is much easier to procrastinate during the warm weather when the flowers are blossoming and the trees are at their shade-providing fullest.
This sweater is light enough to wear during the early autumn and it goes well with leggings!
This is the time of year I bid farewell to my Fragonard Fleur d’Oranger until next summer and spritz on my Santal sandalwood scent by the same maker. It smells like Fall. The wafting scent makes me feel as though my sweaters, blazers and jeans have become surrounded by a protective cloud that smells delightful and makes me happy.
Goodbye summer floral scent. Hello woodsy, tweedy autumn scent!
It’s the time of year when I appreciate my pajamas and loungewear. Today’s weather is gray and gloomy and damp and rainy. We had to go to Costco and run a few errands. Although I did dress appropriately, I couldn’t wait to get home, change into an old pair of pajamas and start to compose this blog post.
This is what I wore to Costco earlier today…
And as soon as we arrived home, I performed a Stairway Striptease and threw my pj’s on! I’m so comfortable right now!
And speaking of Costco, there were no Halloween decorations nor did I spot anything Thanksgiving related.
I guess The Great Pumpkin no longer is of any importance.
The Christmas décor was showcased—but I would be hypocritical if I pooh-poohed that because our fake sunroom tree has been standing since last November. I was too lazy to take it apart. Don’t judge me!
Costco greeted us with this…
..and this. And as I tsk-tsked my displeasure,
I realized how hypocritical I was. The tree has been in our sunroom for almost a year. It’ll come down in 2024.
Perhaps I’m not a pumpkin spice person—I can’t stand it. But I’m a tea person. And during the summer months, I don’t drink tea unless it’s Lipton Iced Tea. Now, the kettle that stands upon the burner on our stove is filled with water and whistling while it is done working the boiling water.
Meringues are currently in the oven and when this post is finished, I’m putting the kettle on for a cuppa!
The seasonal wreath hangs from the front door.
The extent of the autumn-themed decor is on the front door.
Last night’s dinner started with home constructed escargot. I took care to make the garlicky and parslied butter. I carefully stuffed the shells with butter, snail, and more butter. Half of what I made was frozen and we enjoyed the other half.
It was a process albeit not a painstaking one. These little babies were prepared ahead of time.
Crème Caramel, my husband’s favorite dessert, was gently baked in a Bain Marie in the oven until it reached that custardy texture.
My husband’s favorite dessert. I don’t eat it at this juncture but it is very comforting!
And, the music changed from classic rock to Classical. I know and realize some of you reading this must think I’m an absolute lunatic for my seasonal music changes but I can’t help it. Summer, as well as Spring, puts me in that frame of mind where I want to listen to bubbly, happy, pop music from the 1960’s or my beloved classic rock. Jimi Hendrix and the Kinks are in rotation hibernation for now.
Jimi. Don’t look so sad. You know how much I love you. But it’s Classical music season now!
You too, Sir Raymond. Your resting period starts now!
Fall and Winter are a blend of Classical music and Christmas or Holiday tunes. As college football kicks off the season with a full stadium, my autumn kick-off is Scott Joplin then segues into Mozart, Schubert, Saint-Saëns with a touch of New York Jazz Trio.
Welcome back Monsieur Saint-Saens. You’re just in time to get ready for Halloween. Can we have a bit of Dance Macabre please?
In fact, I must resume my Christmas 2023 Spotify Playlist. Always in search of different holiday tunes, I’ve amassed quite the collections over the past few years.
My favorite Spotify discovery is this song. Six Cups of Eggnog was on my Christmas playlist last year. It’s being repeated this year!
The thing is, I welcome the toastiness and comfort of Autumn. For me, it is not so much as the foliage—I am not crazy about the colors—they are too warm for me, but it is about the mindset. Knowing that you are headed outdoors to that slap of crisp, cool air after being dragged down by heat and humidity.
It’s that first day when the air is crisp, the leaves are falling and you are awakened by the cool blast of air!
It’s not about drinking coffee to wake up, but it’s that afternoon cup of tea or that inviting mug of hot cocoa or hot apple cider. It’s a vibe.
Hot apple cider. MMMMMMMM!
As I prepare to buy Halloween candy for the neighborhood kids, as I glance out the front windows onto the trees that are slowly both changing hues and losing leaves, as I listen to the TV upstairs as my husband relaxes by watching his French shows, as I spot Chippy underfoot, warming my feet and finally, as I think about how my three children grew up into hard-working, pragmatic and socially conscience adults, I realize this season we are now welcoming, is a wonderful one.
There is something very comforting about having Chippy underfoot as I’m writing..
But it is more comforting to know that these babies of mine have grown up into outstanding adults!