Apple Land with Cousins!

Don't tell my husband, but there are some things about fall that I just love. What better way to spend a rainy autumn day than a trip to Apple Land Station with cousins? Okay, so we could have done without the rain, but we had enough fun that a return trip is already planned for next fall — with a check on the weather report first, of course!

An apple orchard with a train! It doesn't get better than that!

The whole gang — besides the photographer, you-know-who!

Sweet Remi! Always ready to share an apple, or a hug!

All aboard!

The Labelle Family

The Haines Family

Janelle and her little admirer, Madeleine!

Time to go home. Last smile before braces tomorrow!

Goodbye Apple Land!

We had a great weekend visit with Kate, Pierre, Maddie and Remi. The kids had a blast together, Chris and Pierre made lots of noise, and progress, in the basement, and Kate and I did lots of talking and had a long and wonderful trip to the used bookstore. We rounded it out with a trip apple picking just before the Labelles headed home. We are so glad they've moved to Ontario! Now we can look forward to another visit next weekend for Thanksgiving dinner in Burlington at Lori and Ben's. Mmmm.... Thanksgiving dinner, another thing about fall that I love!

Rainy Day Blues

I hate the way a rainy, dreary day saps me of all energy. There are so many things I could be doing on a sunny day that would energize me. I could go for a walk. I could start digging in my yard. I could go to the local garden centre and do some more dreaming about the beds I am going to put in as soon as it stops raining.

Even on a rainy day like today I could do the laundry. I could rearrange furniture and think about how to set up my new living room. I could tap into my creative side and write a review of the book I finished last week.

But on this gloomy, dreary day I don't feel like doing any of that. I do feel like curling up next to the fireplace with a good book. Not very productive, and it would inevitably lead to a nap. But it would be cozy.

And the laundry will wait until tomorrow.

New Umbrella

Rain, rain, go away...

Come again another day...

Little Johnny, little Johnny

Wants to play!

I bought an umbrella yesterday. Too late. I picked up the kids at school in the middle of a downpour, without an umbrella, or a hood on my raincoat. I tried to look dignified. I knew running between raindrops wouldn't help. So I just walked, at a regular pace, from my parking space on the street, up the driveway of the school, around to the back of the school, and in the door where I could wait for Janelle out of the rain. I walked the same slow walk back to the van with the kids, while they teased me about not putting up my non-existent hood. I even enjoyed it a little, not caring whether I got wet because there was nothing I could do about it. I got back into the van looking like a drowned rat, but I didn't run home and hide. I ran an errand. I bought an umbrella.

These pictures are two years old, but I thought I'd demonstate some of the pure joy that using an umbrella can bring.

There's nothing I can do about the rain, so I might as well enjoy it! As I've settled into the everyday routine of living in London, that is kind of my attitude toward life here. I will find some joy in the little things. This is where I live, and it's not going to change any time soon. I can't avoid the raindrops, so I might as well relish the walk through the rain.

It's still raining today. Not as hard, but I expect I'll have a chance to use my new umbrella when I pick up the kids again today. And tomorrow. By Saturday the sun is supposed to come out, but I'm ready for it any time now. This rain is stifling my creativity.

"Life isn't about waiting for the storms to pass; it's about learning to dance in the rain." Thanks, Heidi!