FALLING INTO FALL

             The constant smell of smoke from the wildfires has been replaced by an aroma that is quite familiar in our rural area--the bouquet of wood stoves burning.  Because  we can, a large number of us heat our homes with wood heat.  For years now, the most familiar sounds of the new day--from October to early April anyway--are the sounds of Dad/Grandpa stoking up the stoves with wood.  The squeak of the stove door handle, the crack of the ax making kindling, the rustle of newspapers remind we grasshoppers that there's activity afoot.  While our ant labors away, we enjoy the luxury of lying in bed under our warm covers until we hear the crackle of the fire and Dad's "Time to get up."  Too cruel--that reminder that we all have promises to keep when the warmth filling the room is sometimes more of an invitation to snuggle down and go back to sleep. 
            We're ready for the little slower pace of Fall.  I've decorated the house:

Tom's fillings the wood bins with wood and other necessities:

We're adding to our food supply, and I've even finished a few quilts that could be used:

This quilt is one I've mentioned a time or two on my blog.  It's a birthday quilt for Tom.  I started it exactly a year ago and just completed the handquilting recently.  It's a beautiful quilt; I'm proud of it.
                                 You can see by the edge of our current comforter hanging below that new quilt that I've created a problem for myself..nothing in this bedroom matches the new quilt.  I need to re-decorate the bedroom....
                Vale is doing well with his driving.  Recently, on our way to school, we had this conversation:
                 Me:  (As I eased out past a stop sign to check traffic):  "You do know about stopping behind the white line, right?"
                 Vale: (Patiently):  "Yes, I do, Grandma."
                  Me:  "Did you know that once you've stopped, you can ease out a little further so you can get into a better position to turn as long as there's no traffic?"
                 Vale:  (A little less patiently): "Yes, I do, Grandma."
                  Me: (Slightly miffed):  "I don't know what you do know, Vale, so I try to give you some information."
                 Vale:  (With an impish chuckle):  "Grandma, I'm sixteen.  I know everything."

Life is good, says the Grasshopper Grandma.  Hope you're preparing too.  "They" say it's going to be a harsh winter.  Love to All.

Isn't it strange how princes and kings,
and clowns that caper in sawdust rings,
and common people, like you and me,
are builders for eternity?

Each is given a list of rules;
a shapeless mass; a bag of tools.
And each must fashion, ere life is flown,
A stumbling block, or a Stepping-Stone.

by R. Lee Sharpe