We enjoyed these days at Turkey Run and Shades so much. We hiked, picnicked with sandwiches or roasted weenies and s'mores, talked, laughed, read, played frisbee and jai-lai, drank some crisp beers, then took more hikes. I felt like a kid playing hooky, and we mostly had the vast ravine and karst topography to ourselves!
This year has brought some unique opportunities to appreciate what we have. Prior to this year, I would have scoffed at the idea of using precious PTO for Indiana! Turns out, these days off were just as relaxing, recharging, and restorative. I'll say it again, we laughed and goofed off so much. There's something to this hooky playing!
We spent one Saturday in October exploring cemeteries around the city. It was fun plotting them out and driving around, and exploring the neighborhoods of Indy. I noted something horrific about our cemeteries, which used to be segregated. One one side of the cemetery were beautiful sculptures. The other side was a potter's field. In more recent grave sites, I noted that black men in their early 20s represented a major portion of the sites. Many of the stones were elaborately and lovingly created with a photo of the dearly departed etched in the grave.
Fall brought a second season to my garden--flowers that stubbornly grew but didn't blossom suddenly bloomed in October--Cosmos, Bachelor Buttons, and Zinnias.
I also picked up my quilting again, hoping to finish Natalie's and Zavi's by Christmas.
Halloween was a fun night in my neighborhood. Everyone was out in costume. People threw driveway parties and also candy launchers for Trick-or-Treaters. It was neat seeing neighbors find a way to come together and keep their spirits up.
check out this large mushroom pizza we found at Eagle Creek!
The last harvest. Tiny melons, giant beans, tomatillos, and volunteer peppers and tomatoes, which grew from the compost heap.
I live near the New Augusta Outdoor Science lab and love taking detours through here on my daily walks around the neighborhood.
Abby likes my quilts!
My hood really gets into Halloween!
One of our hikes through Shades State Park
Eagle Creek early on a Sunday morning all by myself
October is the gilded month, but look at my zinnias and cosmos brining in the color parade!
Nasturtiums died off in the summer then came back for fall.
Tithoina, Mexican Sunflower, summered and autumned with us!
My beautiful red oak sapling that Larry got me back in 2014. Oaks grow slowly, reaching their height of productivity at age 50!
On our cemetery day, we also stopped by Morris Butler House, the place where I met many important people...especially Larry!
