The Genius I Married

Loving the brisk fall walks along the alley. I fell in love with this single strand of crawling plant that was showing off autumn colors in its display. The gorgeous orange color against the gray paint of the fence planks exhibited true fall attributes. Colors changing on the leaves replenish our tree systems for the spring beauty yet to be seen next year. Of course, we still have the fir and cedar, pine and hemlocks that remain green throughout the seasons, but the splashes of fall trees beautify the landscaping and reminds us of how perfect and artful nature can be.  

Since moving to Roseburg Oregon only a year ago, I have my favorite spot for taking in the amazing colors of fall. The neighbors are quiet and the wildlife plentiful. It's in the Roseburg National Cemetery. The grass is always a beautiful, lush green and the trees are oaks and maples, giving us the oranges, reds and yellows of fall. Since it is a national resting place for our veterans, the park is always immaculately kept. Pristine grounds at their finest. Yet there are herds of deer that wander through the green lawns,  snacking on that lucious damp grass. At the east end of the cemetery, there is a small grove of fir trees where the deer hang out, rest, and live most of the time. They feel safe and protected on these grounds and continue to relax and show themselves freely. A trip to the cemetery is definitely a must to see the grounds once more. 

I mentioned the idea of the autumn photograph outing to hubby Mac and he is up for it. We figure maybe Saturday, before the game. Today is Friday and I find myself burnt out for the week. The files I work on seem long and tedious. It's all a matter of what head space I'm in. While typing, I tend to daydream of outings, of fun things to do, of the loss of my daughter's dog, and of course, thoughts linger around the new baby. Since darkness falls early now, it seems there is not enough time in the day and definitely puts me to sleep much faster. Not sure if I enjoy the earlier onset of sleepiness or if I really don't get as much done. Either way, it is what it is, I guess. Or so the saying goes. 

Chatting with the family began the discussion of Thanksgiving. It seems so odd to have the holidays upon us in what seems like the wrong time of year. But it is coming at the end of the month whether I'm ready or not. I still can't believe we had Halloween already. Terry and I didn't do a lot on Halloween, but we did enjoy ourselves. But it's surreal that time has come and gone already. Is time moving much faster or is it just because you get older it seems like it is? Crazy stuff. 

Anyway, the chat about Thanksgiving ended with Terry and I changing our plans to go to Eugene for a family dinner instead of having it here with just the two of us. Either way is great to me, as I love spending time with my hubby too. I can't wait to see everyone at my daughter's house though. Plus, it will be our anniversary of the engagement. Terry asked me to marry him last year, interrupting the food grabbing to let everyone hear the engagement. Tears, hugs, kisses, and the ring meant our lives would be melded and I loved it. I love him. Our dinners as a family are always fun and I'm sure this one will not disappoint. 

We are missing my middle daughter, Marina this year though. Her and her husband John and oldest daughter Kaylie Rose have taken a trip to Italy. They will be gone through the holiday and that will mean we won't see them on that day. But I'm happy they went. The excitement and joy surrounding the chance to go somewhere like Italy and experience all it has to offer is the best. 

Made some biscuits again. Sourdough biscuits are awesome! They came out better than the first batch I made a few weeks ago. My starter is getting fuller, bubblier, and seems to have much more life to it now. That sourdough tanginess is coming to life. It's all good! Seymour is baking biscuits and bread like a boss. 

Mallory came by today. We chatted, laughed, and brushed out the dog, pulling enough loose hair off his body to create another husky. Ugh. The hair that comes off of him! Crazy. Mallory had piles of hair laying around him when she finished, and the dog still had the loose strands dangling from his body. Just crazy how much hair comes off of these babies. Then we wonder why we haven't seen our new furniture yet. After brushing him, I once again remember why. 

After chatting for a bit, we all decided to go out to eat dinner. I was happy because I really didn't feel like cooking. It's the end of the week and I'm feeling exhausted. We all put in a word about what we were in the mood for and decided on Indian food. Off to Best Taste of India again, one of our favorite places. So good!

Instead of tandoori chicken, I chose chicken tikka. It sounded so good. Chicken marinated in yogurt and fried tandoori style with onions and green pepper slices. The sizzling plate of chicken arrived and wow, was it ever hot!

Curried veggies over rice for Terry and a veggie rice dish for Mallory. Chicken tikka for me. Great meal!

Chicken tandoori over onion and green pepper pieces, soaked in lime. It was fantastic. 

Terry, imparting his genius outlook on life to Mallory and me, from behind the curtain of steam wafting up from my cast iron skillet. Ignore the man behind the curtain! But we all do need to listen. This morning, my sweet man came into the office and said he wanted to talk to me. My mind immediately shoots to the worst-case scenario when someone says, "We've got to talk." 

But my man tells me he sat in his chair last night and did some deep thinking. His genius brain came up with something that will save the entire planet. There will be no more suffering, hardship, illness and the things that take down the human race. No more of any of that. We are saved, as a planet and as a species. I am married to a genius! Look at me go. 

My Einstein took a breath and backed off his podium, before he informed me that while he had discovered mankind's best thing yet, he woke up this morning and couldn't remember what it was. Deflated his ego a bit, to say the least. Yes, ladies. He's taken. He's all mine. 

Until our next post, please take care of yourself and those around you. Be the light, be the difference in someone's life. We can make the world a much better place by starting with ourselves.