Falling for October

 Our week began where Monday seemed like Saturday with activities not usual to a weekday.  In the morning, we joined Emily and the four grandchildren on an outing to Eckerts apple orchard just over the river in Illinois.  It was a crisp sunny autumn day - perfect for such an activity.  Eckerts has three locations - it is a huge operation - and they have everything down to a science.  And, with Covid 19 this year, they even had that down.  Face masks, social distancing, the works.  And, so, we boarded a tractor pulled wagon and rode first to the apple trees that were just loaded with gorgeous apples of many varieties.  I got to fill my bag with my favorite Fuji apples.  Next, we rode the wagon to the pumpkin patch where the kids just played on the hay bales since we all already have our pumpkins.  Steve and I walked over to the thornless blackberries and admired how they were trellising them.  Finally, we got on the wagon to head back to pay for the apples and walk through the large country store.  We drove back to our backyard for lunch on our deck.  That afternoon, I made chocolate ice cream to bring to dinner that was hosted by Kyle and Micah and cooked by Beckie.  Everything was so delicious (of course - Beckie was the chef!) and we played two rounds of dominoes to finish out the evening.  

Tuesday was delightful in the morning because it was Larkin pre-school.  The afternoon was not so fun as I wrangled with our current bank and with WiFi issues (I stupidly decided to change the name and password of our WiFi on Sunday and so I was having device connecting issues). I was so stressed as I drove to my quintet rehearsal that evening but, happily, playing my cello helped smooth out the knots and I drove home a much happier Jeanne.

Wednesday we had new brakes put on our Honda Element. Pricey but a necessary evil. We got to drive around in a pretty nice loaner - a late model Honda CRV - while shopping for groceries and while getting a better digital antenna at Best Buy. Steve can finally watch Jeopardy again which makes me so happy! Back in our old Element, I drove to Creve Couer to meet up with the exiting administrator for the St. Louis Civic Orchestra (whom I have known since Columbia days) and to take over the reins as the new administrator. I am told it will only be about 10-12 hours per month of work and I will be paid $250.00 per month. I hope it all works out. Of course, right now, the entire orchestra is not meeting so my work load will be minimal for the time being. I have written, though, that small ensembles from the group are meeting in socially distancing approved ways to rehearse and we have obtained a date and location to perform later this month.

Thursday was Southerland lesson day and, on the way, we stopped at a west county Habitat Re-Store and found a small lightweight bakers rack that we will use in the garage and a 50 foot hose since our 100 foot one doesn't go all the way to the back of the yard. I planted 90 daffodil bulbs in the flower bed by the garage and they needed a good drink before going to sleep for the winter. I have more bed to plant so I will be getting more daffodils this week.

Friday, Steve and I braved the DMV and got our Real ID licenses. It was fairly painless and quick, surprisingly. I taught two cello lessons. We had someone come give us an estimate for attic insulation. Currently, we only have about 5 inches of insulation - YIKES. So, we will have a more energy efficient home with more insulation.

Saturday was a hodge podge of little projects: the bookcases in the library are now completely loaded and organized. We have a new curtain made from a lace tablecloth hanging in our bedroom. The baker's rack is now functioning in the garage. Steve worked on part of our chain link fence and on shoring up the middle of our deck. I hung hooks on the deck to put hanging plants. I repaired a broken clock with new workings from Hobby Lobby. We watched Steve's October movie "Cars". Speaking of movies, we also watched "The Fox and the Hound" and "Pirates of the Caribbean-On Stranger Tides" earlier in the week. We have now completed our Pirates watching odyssey.

I need to close as we are driving to visit Julina and Alex this afternoon but one photo of Larkin as a superhero is needed.....