If you missed the biggest “unexpected pleasure” in the area this past week you must have been asleep at the wheel. As a seasonal resident, if I am this happy about what appears to be a brief Indian summer this late in the season, all of you must be ecstatic! Our open toe shoes and shorts are back in service, folks are out and about engaged in summer season activities and the lake was abuzz with fishing boats this past weekend. I talked to several enthusiastic farmers quite happy to have warm weather in which to finish up post-harvest activities. Several gardeners in the neighborhood went back at it with a vengeance happy to finish their outdoor cleanup on warm sunny days instead of wrapped up in winter gear with freezing winds and numb fingers. I even noticed a few outdoor grills emitting appetizing aromas throughout the neighborhood.
Paul and I tackled several outdoor projects and ended up hot and dripping wet requiring unexpected midday showers. I think I even got a little sunburned. It looks like we might enjoy some more warm sunny days this week so get outside and soak it up while it lasts but keep your parka nearby. It occurred to me the opposite occurs as well when inclement winter weather provides snow days. Of course the kids usually get the better deal on those unexpected days off but I bet there are a few adults who also enjoy drinking hot cocoa in their pj’s on those days.
Another unexpected pleasure I enjoyed this fall was viewing some beautiful mature deciduous trees with leaves at their peak of color on several streets in Milbank. I even stopped to snap some pictures that ended up as screen savers on my phone. It takes me back to childhood growing up here when fall was and remains my favorite season; the variety of fall colors is not as prevalent out west.
Those lucky enough to have had the unexpected pleasure of viewing the “northern lights” this week were especially fortunate; seeing them remains an open item on my bucket list. I think they were especially visible Wednesday night/early Thursday morning but Paul and I missed them; we tried the next several nights with no luck. I saw some pictures taken near Clinton that were posted on Facebook and they were fantastic.
A few other unexpected pleasures I experienced this week included: smooth weaving sessions, sitting in front of the fireplace under my new pumpkin lap quilt, a tasty potato and leek soup Paul made, coffee with the neighbors, happy hour with a friend planning next summer’s travels and enjoying a walleye supper with friends. Of course, the beautiful skies at sunset at the lake and in the countryside nearby continue to fill me with awe. I remain extremely grateful for the multitude of wonderful “coming home” experiences I have had since retirement; we definitely live in God’s Country!