Running Into November

 

Thanksgiving Bird for November
Heart in Hand pattern

For me, the highlight of October was the first week, when we celebrated Gary's birthday. 🎉The rest of the month was filled out with a lot of medical appointments for both of us (all routine, annual check-ups) and encounters with a shocking number of skeletons. 

Aside from the marvel of how our Creator God has created the human body, I do not relate well to this macabre "decoration," but then as I've said before, I'm no fan of Halloween. 

I did a little research regarding this trend. As well as being a part of October 31 festivities, there is a cultural fascination with the gothic, nostalgia, and dressing the skeletons up for the different holidays.

Yes, we saw a skeleton Santa Claus in the hardware store yesterday. Where is jolly ole' Saint Nick?!!

cross stitch for September - October

Anyway, I'm glad to turn the calendar to November. One of the notations on my page for today is to change out the cross stitch from "Home is where our story begins" (a Lizzie Kate pattern) to "Thanksgiving Bird" by Heart in Hand. I no longer do any needlework (except for mending as needed) but I enjoy displaying projects from my past. 

With November here, autumn has definitely arrived in Florida. We woke up to 47 degrees yesterday, and colder than that today. But I can handle it....

Yes, I was there! But now my home is in Florida where there is no snow to shovel and our five Camelia bushes are in glorious bloom - - yes, in November !!

With the arrival of cold temperatures, I went shopping for a pair of sweat pants to wear on our bike rides. It was money well-spent!

Another advantage to living in a temperate climate, is having our car dealership drive to our house for oil changes and tire rotations. Ford has come several times in the two years we've had this vehicle for routine maintenance and recall notices. It's been great to watch it all happening from the garage. Speaking of car fluids, this sign caught our attention:

Back at home, as we sip our first cup of coffee every morning, I usually ask Gary about his plans for the day. Often he teases me with his signature, "Nuthin'!" But the other day he woke up saying he needed to get a hair cut. He added that he was considering a buzz cut. I immediately vetoed the idea. He persisted with the idea and I held firm.

When he came home after his trip to the barber, I called out,  "Do you still have hair?" He informed me that yes, he did but that a butch cut costs $2 LESS than a regular man's cut. I kissed him and thanked him for spending the extra bucks for my preference. As you will see in snapshots to follow, he is blessed with a good head of hair.

race arrow sign

Our +55 community had its annual race Saturday morning. In spite of the cold, we got outside early on our bicycles so we could avoid the runners.

 

scarecrow guards the Begonias

We rode past some refreshment stations along the way and a few costumes, too. Our Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) directed traffic, which can be shockingly wild. I wish our CERT people were out there all the time.

Here they come!

Anyway, the race was some 3+ miles long with runners on the multi-purpose path that is behind our house. Of course this was a good opportunity for 'blog fodder,' so we made our way across our back yard and onto the grassy median.

Gary spied them first. I saw a side of him that I've not seen before. Most of my readers may not know that my guy is a former marathon runner.

One of the first things we did together as a couple was to hang his framed marathon posters on the lanai wall. These posters are from: 

  1985 Marine Corps Marathon 

 1986 Marine Corps Marathon

1988 New York City Marathon

1992 Marine Corps Marathon

1996 Marine Corps Marathon

And one more on another wall:

1984 Marine Corps Marathon

These posters are from only 6 of his races. He's run many more in a lot of locations. He's got the T-shirts, too. He tells me he also ran the JFK fifty-mile race twice. Those races started and ended in western Maryland taking him along the Appalachian Trail and along the Potomac River in Virginia and West Virginia.

So, with that said, what I had not seen in him before was how involved he gets with runners. 

He grins and claps and grins and claps and... (you get the idea). He also yelled out to the runners (most of whom were walking, truth be told). He knew exactly what to say. 

Lookin' good!

You can do it!

You can win this!

They gave you a good T-shirt!

Let's get that blood flowin'!

There are only a few ahead of you; you can win this!

Only 2 1/2 miles to go!

(faces edited for privacy)

It was great fun for me to see this side of Gary. When I asked him how he knew to call out all of that, he said he's heard it all from his races. 

He no longer runs. His hips eventually required replacement, so biking is his current sport of choice. It's a good thing because although I've learned to be a biker through my association with him, I would not have been able to do the running. 

🚴🏻🚴‍♀️🚴🏼‍♂️  🚴🏻🚴‍♀️ 🚴🏼‍♂️  🚴🏻🚴‍♀️🚴🏼‍♂️  🏃‍♂️🚴🏻 🏃🏻‍♀️🏃

When I looked up scripture verses having to do with running, this passage spoke to me the most:

Therefore, since we are surrounded 

by such a great cloud of witnesses,

let us throw off everything that hinders

and the sin that so easily entangles.

And let us run with perseverance

the race marked out for us,

fixing our eyes on Jesus,

the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.

For the joy set before Him 

he endured the cross, 

scorning its shame,

and sat down at the

right hand of the throne of God.

Consider Him who endured 

such opposition from sinners, 

so that you will not grow weary 

and lose heart.

Hebrews 12:1-3

Until next time, stay the course! You can do it!

Pondering Reality

bike pillow at the bicycle and kayak shop

The photo above is just another example of how those of us who blog come up with the most fortuitous inspirations for "blog fodder."🙄 

threadbare, literally!

We were climbing onto our bicycles one day last week when Gary happened to notice his back tire was REALLY worn down. It's one of those things you don't see unless the affected area is on the top side, in full view. He poked at it some and decided to go ahead and ride on it, stating that if it gave out, he would just push the bike home. And I would be with him. We rode our usual 4-5 miles without incident but knew this problem would have to be addressed that day.

back wheels are more complicated than front

He gave thought to changing the tire himself, but since it was the back tire, where cables and gears and such make it more challenging than the front wheel, he decided this would better be handled by a professional. 

making use of our truck

Earlier this year we bought a really good bike rack for transport to trails outside of our neighborhood, but for this effort we loaded the bicycle into the bed of our truck, tying it down securely for the trip.

some of our home decor with a bicycle theme

As best we knew, there were four options where this could be fixed. The closest one tends to be more pricey, another two have shown themselves to be good but far away. Gary called ahead to the fourth shop to verify their help and got an appointment for early afternoon.

It's refreshing and confirming to have knowledgeable people doing a job for us, people who have all the right tools, equipment, and supplies to get the job done right (and in a relatively short amount of time!). After being shown the worn out tire, the first thing the shop owner did was to hoist the bike onto a stand to hold it secure and bring it up to a good working height.

It was while the work was being done that I found a couch in the waiting area with this pillow. Perfect! In short order the old tire was replaced with a new one and we were headed back home. 

more of our bicycle-themed home decor

I have admired bike designs over the years but only as artwork. Never, ever would I have guessed they would cycle into my senior citizen years as they have. (Nor would I have guessed who would introduce this sport to me as he has.) 🥰

This brings me to a subject that has occupied my thoughts many times in my current life season. For over a year now I've had a sticky note on my desk, written to myself, that says, "Accept what cannot be changed..." It's rather easy to say that but to actually apply it takes some deliberate effort -- at least that's how it's been with me. 

my desk reminder

My research of this word, "acceptance," highlighted these points:

~ accepting change means acknowledging its inevitability, learning to adapt and having a flexible mindset

~ it involves moving focus from resistance to finding opportunities for growth and innovation

~ change is a natural part of life, so give up the struggle against what you cannot control

~ view acceptance as an opportunity for personal growth and developing new strengths

~ focus on what you can influence rather than sticking with what you can't

found at Linda's Relaxing Lair blog

https://lindasrelaxinglair.blogspot.com/2025/10/purr-therapy-behaviour-good-character.html

Hmm. That's pretty heavy stuff. Let's have a snack and ponder lighter topics.

Pumpkin Bars

A long time ago, far far away, Blondie shared a favorite recipe with our family. She calls them Pumpkin Bars, but I serve it more as a cake with almost the consistency of pumpkin pie. 

(shared from Sister who got it from 
Just Amazing)

It made a 9x13-inch pan, so over the weekend we invited friends to come help us eat it up!

Mexican Bird of Paradise

And speaking of friends, in my October 17th post titled, "A Perfect Day Date," I did not take the time to label the plants but Parakeet commented she has this flower in her Arizona landscape: Mexican Bird of Paradise. Beautiful. 

Pink Muhly Grass

And this, too. At this time of year while the north and west have all those rich oranges, yellows, and reds, we enjoy this ornamental grass with the pink tips (that often look lavender). In the early mornings we ride past this while the dew has not yet dried up. It's stunning.

Here is a sampling of what we are reading of late, much of it from our public library. We each have our own preferences, but sometimes we share before driving to the book drop.

Something I've learned from the library books: we usually come across things we already knew and sometimes things we did not, and after reading, wish we did not.

I'll be no more specific than that except to add that reading of real life choices, experiences, and the like should help us to better understand human nature. It also cements into the mind the truth that we truly do live in a fallen world.

Before closing, I'll visit the Hodgepodge from Joyce's blog. Click here if you want to join in and link up.

1. Are you a risk taker? To what degree?

Keeping this light 🤭, anyone who chooses to date, marry, and have children is a risk taker. I have done all, more than once.

2.What's your favorite candy? Would you say you have a sweet tooth?

I like chocolate but too much of it proves to be a mistake. Yes, I have a sweet tooth but I like savory flavors a lot, too.

3.Somewhere you've been recently that had you feeling 'like a kid in a candy store'?

In all honesty, I haven't really had that feeling in quite a while.

4. What do you think is the most effective way to make a positive change in the world?

Prayer. Sincere, often, and spoken with lots of scripture. After that, setting a consistently good example. And after that, choose all words carefully. I am a strong believer in this: 

Life and death are in the power of the tongue.

Proverbs 18:21

5. Do you like surprises?

Usually no. Surprises tend to be more fun for the one bringing the surprise and often the preferences of the 'surprisee' have not been considered enough.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

While we aim to live a quiet, idyllic life, sometimes our routines are interrupted by threadbare tires and packages left at the wrong house. But this verse gives us hope, if we are trusting the sovereign love of God for us:

We know that in all things

God works for the good 

of those who love Him,

who have been called according to His purpose.

Romans 8:28

Until next time, grace and peace.

A Fall Festival and Hodgepodge

This opening snapshot won't win any photography awards; I know that. It's just a homey illustration of life at my house. 

This cutting was just a sweet little Knockout rose bud when I snipped it yesterday but this morning it popped out into all its glory. Without a bud vase I resorted to one of my glass measuring cups.

While Gary mows and edges the lawn, and trims our bushes and trees, I have given myself the assignments of pulling weeds from the rock beds and taming the roses so the thorny branches don't lean out over the sidewalk that leads to our front door. 

This past weekend our +55 community had its annual fall festival. Over the past 7 years, it's grown in size and content. Some 125 vendors pitched tents or trucks under the towering oak trees in and around the buildings that house our community's ball room, business offices, hobby and other meeting rooms, the spa, the two swimming pools, and the athletic courts and field. 

The vendors represent many businesses such as home and landscape improvements, Medicare and financial consultants, and our personal favorite: the dental office that gives out FREE generous slices of pie! Pre-sliced in a paper dish with a fork, the choices are pumpkin, apple, and pecan. Gary chose the pumpkin and I got the apple. 

For insurance reasons, neither of us use this dentist but the pie is offered to all and we don't turn down free pie!!

Other tents represented crafts, skin care products, at least one locally-produced podcast, politics, and more businesses than I can remember. Most, if not all, were aimed at enhancing senior life.

Live music featured tunes familiar to our generation's preferences, stirring up pleasant memories from our younger days. (I even heard Gary whistling one of them on our way home.)

I did not count them but it was advertised there would be about 12 food trucks. (that's quite a thing these days, isn't it?!) We did not get anything to eat since we had just enjoyed the FREE slices of pie.

Up until this year, the powers-that-be have encouraged the different neighborhoods in our retirement community to create Halloween displays in one of the prominent, shaded, grassy medians near the guard gate. That did not seem to be the case this year (maybe the scarecrows were too threatening for our gatekeepers??), but there were just a few displays in the festival area.

I had to take this picture due to its significance to Gary and me. You probably can't even begin to guess why it's so meaningful. 

A mutual friend introduced us to each other in this parking lot on Veterans Day. That morning our community (which has a lot of Veterans) was having a flag raising ceremony. Our mutual friend did her best to ensure we both would be attending while neither of us suspected her scheme.

This picture was taken during the ceremony by our friend's husband. I am in the blue on the left, our match-making mutual friend is in the long white sweater, and Gary is on the right. 😉 To be noted, this was probably the only time another woman has been between the two of us after we met! 🤭 ❤️ Not long after this we had our first date. So, yes, this picture of the parking lot is special!

Returning to the story of today's fall festival, management's announcements warned that parking would be tight. We rode our bikes to the event, locking our vehicles and helmets to a fence and then spent a hour or so walking through it all. I think we saw everything but due to weaving in and out through the crowds, I'm not entirely sure. 

Conversations with friends along the way were pleasant and the day's weather was absolutely perfect shirt-sleeve weather, plenty of sunshine, and a gentle breeze that kept things moving. Neither of us bought anything, but one of the vendors gave me a freebie bag in which I carried a few business cards picked up along the way, and this: 

a little free advertising for Humana

My Medicare counselor that I've used for seven years was handing out these chip clips that look like teeth. Isn't this fun?!

We did not get our lunch at the festival because wanted to grill our own burgers at home. Gary did the cooking while I helped to set the table, which is our usual way of doing things around here.

------------

Today I'm answering Joyce's Hodgepodge questions. Since this post is already pretty long, I'll make (most of) my responses brief.

Hodgepodge Questions for Oct 22

http://www.fromthissideofthepond.com/2025/10/hodgepodge-questions-volume-625.html

1. What do you like most about your family? I am grateful for the ones who are still living this side of heaven and thank the Lord for the influence of those I'll see in eternity.

2. What's something nice that's happened to you recently? 

October has been a busy month for both of us with the routine annual medical tests and appointments but we are doing well. That is never to be taken for granted. 

3. Do you like the color orange? Besides a pumpkin and an actual orange, what's something orange you love? baked sweet potatoes

Sister and her hubby always have a huge crop of pumpkins from their garden. They are selling them now at $1 each, but if you can wait until November 1st, they will be FREE!!!

4.  What's something you have now you couldn't have imagined having five years ago? How does that make you feel? What's possible now because of it? 

It was five years ago this weekend when my late husband (of 50 years) and I came down with COVID. I survived with a relatively mild case while Tom did not. At that time I had no idea that I would be blessed with a wonderful second marriage. The Lord's protection, provision, and generous blessings have strengthened my faith in Him.

5. Let's wrap this one up with an October this or that:

Pumpkin bread or apple cider donut?

please don't make me choose! I like both!

Cozy sweater or cozy hoodie?

cozy hoodie because that hood against my neck and the top of my back adds more warmth.

Apple picking or pumpkin picking?

Neither. I prefer to buy apples at the grocery store and get my pumpkin in a can.

A scary movie or Hallmark movie?

Hallmark. I'm definitely not a scary/horror movie gal.

Hay ride of corn maze?

Hay ride.

Twinkle lights or candles?

Twinkle lights are safer (no open flame)

Autumn hike or bonfire?

Both! A bonfire after the hike with hot dogs and s'mores!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Many Bible verse were my lifeline during the worst days of grief. One that stands out perhaps the most is this:

So do not fear,

for I am with you:

do not be dismayed,

for I am your God.

I will strengthen you and help you;

I will uphold you with 

my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:10

Until next time, grace and peace.

A Perfect Day Date

Autumn in our area of Florida has continued since the daytime high temps dropped into the 80s last week with abundant sunshine and a swift breeze to shuttle the puffy clouds. Everyone is saying this is why we moved to Florida. Yes, it is! (along with a lower cost of living, the proximity to 2 oceans, and no snow to shovel)

For this post I'm taking you to Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens, located northwest of us in Williston, Florida. I've got a lot of snapshots to share, some that will have commentary and others that will not. 

The paths through this park were not always smooth. They wound around (sharply at times), up and down in elevation, and one could stumble easily if not paying attention. Yet with that said, we did see at least one wheel chair working its way through. Those red metal handrails were a help. 

With that said, let's proceed. Cedar Lakes Woods and Gardens is a century-old abandoned lime rock quarry transformed into a 20-acre botanical garden.

After paying the entrance fee (my military man got a discount and a thanks for his service, to which he always replies, "It was an honor to serve"), we followed the general route toward the gardens. The first stop took us into a tent with all manner of cactus. I'm not a fan of succulents, but it was interesting to see many varieties I did not know existed. They seemed an appropriate reminder of this season of ghosts, goblins, and ghouls, also of which I am not a fan.

I guess I should not harp on that theme. The fun the little kids get out of it can't be denied. When I was their age, dressing up (often as a gypsy with my mother's jewelry) and getting all that candy was a highlight (before orthodontia dictated otherwise!).

All things considered, this park did not display anything truly gross and we even saw some old friends along the path. 

As we proceeded into the true garden parts of the park, we immediately saw gorgeous flowers, many of which I was not at all familiar.

The several water falls surprised me since I think of Florida as being quite flat. In truth, it has a notable number of hilly areas throughout the state.

But as stated earlier, this is a former rock quarry, which explains how water falls are possible. 

There were lots of lily pads but Gary was disappointed to not find a single bull frog on any of them!

We came across a "bar" (not in business) where we could sit for a few minutes to rest. Holding a map in hand, the twists and turns of the trail made me feel a little confused. I wasn't sure if we were coming or going! Gary, however, had a good handle on our location, so we did not get lost.

Guinevere and Olivia, and one other

I loved the bridges and many other features the owner has added over the years. But as I said earlier, those red metal rails were a welcome support on the slanted, rough concrete paths.  

One special delight was this high "torii" (pictured below), reminiscent of Gary's Air Force tour of duty in Japan at the start of his military career. 

When we got home, I looked up "torri" and found this description: 

A torri is a traditional Japanese gate that marks the entrance to a sacred space, most often a Shinto shrine, and symbolically separates the mundane from the sacred. Typically constructed from wood or stone, modern torii can also be made of materials like concrete and steel. They are often painted red and signify a boundary, with passing through one being a symbolic transition into a purer realm.

The quarry walls are lined with concrete and rock planters, filled with hundreds of species of plants and flowers. The surrounding trees and the topography allow temperate and semitropical plants to live year-round. There are birds, butterflies, turtles, frogs and other wildlife along the trail, although the day we visited, there were enough humans that our exposure to them was limited to birds and the very large koi (fish) in the ponds. Look closely at the photo above to see a couple of the orange and white koi. They were HUGE. (they look like giant goldfish)

This 110-year old tortoise bid us adieu as we approached the end of the garden trail. 

We stopped for lunch at Hardee's on the way home. This was a perfect 'day date' that we thoroughly enjoyed. How thankful we are to be able to so easily enjoy such beautiful scenes of nature in every direction from our home!

This is the day the Lord has made.

We will rejoice and be glad in it!

Psalm 118:24

Until next time, grace and peace.

P.S. Some of you wanted to know what was in that jar of Bacon Jam that I bought at the local u-pick-it farm (see my post: A Most Welcome Change):