This coming week marks the first of September which to me always signals the last hurrah of summer. I know we’ll still have plenty of warm weather in September and we’re certainly not ready to close up the pool but there’s something about Labor Day weekend that is a rite of passage. The garden is pretty much done for the year – except for the second planting of green beans which are appearing sporadically - and I’m so done with deadheading and watering flowers, yet I hate to see them die. Guess I’ll let Burl continue to water and I’ll enjoy them while I can.
One of the most significant changes will be in my wardrobe. In case you’re wondering, I’m NOT a fashionista – far from it. I did give birth to the head of the Fashion Police and I try to coordinate my wardrobe when I leave the house so if I do see Tammy, she won’t arrest me. She is a font of fashion knowledge though and her recent blog posts can fill you in not only on what’s hot for fall but also what to put away for the season. I’m happy to report that I just put my favorite white shorts and Capri pants in the laundry and after they are ironed, they will be put away for the year. I have no white shoes to store, I carry a red Coach clutch wallet year-round and I bought a pair of dark wash jeggings before I even know how hot they were for fall!
We’ve spent most of the summer at home this year – took an abbreviated trip in June to the east coast and had a weekend in Des Moines but other than that, we have just enjoyed Chez Brown immensely. I got a new pool deck, we had lots of company, I’ve gotten in a lot of bicycling and plenty of time to float in the pool and read – it’s been a great staycation for us in between all our normal volunteer obligations and golf. Now we’re ready for a bit of traveling.
Later this week we’ll be in Oklahoma City for a few days for the Central States Shrine Association. Burl is on a drill team with his mini-cruiser and they compete on Friday morning. Then Saturday he’ll ride in the huge parade before we head home. We’ll have some free time to explore the city and the one “can’t miss” place will be the Murrah Building memorial which is just a few blocks from the Sheraton where we’ll be staying.
Mid-September Burl and some of his buddies are taking a motorcycle trip to Birmingham, AL to tour a motorcycle museum. SNORE! While I certainly don’t mind staying home with Mulligan, I figured it’s a perfect opportunity to visit a couple of little girls in Des Moines and see if they really are as awful as their mom thinks. Now that Branson has added a direct flight to DM I’ve opted for an hour-long flight versus six hours of driving each way. It’s not cheaper – just more convenient!
Then at the end of the month we’ll be in Chicago to visit Burl’s brother Ed and his wife Agnes. I also hope to see my college roommate Sally in St. Louis en route and while we’re in Chicago, visit my Callaway Memorial Hospital nursery roommate Sally! We’re also planning a trip into Wisconsin with Ed and Agnes for a couple of days. We missed our visit with them last year so we are really looking forward to catching up on our lives.
Guess we’ll stay home most of October so Burl can work on getting city water brought from our property line to the house – we don’t plan to connect unless our well goes dry but want to be ready just in case. We also need to get a new furnace and air conditioning unit which means Burl has to clear out clutter in his workroom downstairs so the HVAC guy can install it – that should be interesting! We replaced one of our units a few years ago and figured since Obama wants to give us $1500 if we install it this year, we may as well go ahead and get it.
By mid-November we’ll be on the road again if Stacey, Len and Alex have found a home in Charlotte, NC where they recently moved. Thought we’d join them for Thanksgiving and see their new digs and hopefully by then they will be out of their temporary apartment and into their own home.
While I love to travel, it’s almost as much fun to plan our trips – especially the sightseeing adventures, what to knit while I’m gone and especially what to read.
Maybe – just maybe – my “books to read” stack will go down a bit before the next used book sale at the library! Ya think?




