It was a lovely, lovely weekend. Our college students came home for a handful of days. We had dropped them off in August with the assumption that we’d not see them until the end of the semester in November, so a few evenings of their laughter and conversation did my heart good.
The pre-occupation was good. We’re deep enough in our fall rhythm that the days are seeming to mirror one another– not in a bad way, but in that comfortable, just-right fitting tempo that I love so much about this season. Every morning now after farm chores, the kids have taken to raking leaves. It’s rained so much that they are no good for jumping at all, so they’re simply loaded up and carted to the bedded-down garden. No one has asked them to rake the leaves, but there they are, faithfully, even in the rain. I’ve wondered if this little exercise is their own daily distraction. Something different than riding scooters or climbing trees before the breakfast bell.
There’s lots of school here. Lots of nature journaling, reading lessons, music practice, learning new things. The Lewis and Clark Corps or Discovery study was a massive hit, and now we’re hitting westward expansion in full. Christopher read all the Little House books to them years ago, but I’m tempted to read their favorite (Farmer Boy, affiliate link) again because it’s a lovely season for it, and also, it feels like it would be a short visit with an old friend. Plus, you can’t beat the recipes from Farmer Boy. Talk about a delicious occupation.
Christopher has been occupying himself in his limited free time with a streak of fiction. He always has a stack of ministry reads, and is deep in the titles he’s teaching his students, as well. He often revisits some of his favorite titles as the weather turns, too. But the past few weeks, he’s asked for suggestions and for the life of me, I can’t remember half of the books I’ve read this year! I finally recommended Lincoln in the Bardo, which I enjoyed more than he did. He’s currently reading Gun Island by one of his favorite authors, Amitav Ghosh. (Affiliate links) If you have any suggestions, though, send them our way. He’ll be grateful.
My personal occupation of choice has been knitting (of course). I have finished a Peurperium Cardigan in Quince & Co. Willet, Sophia Knits’ Basic Bonnet in a Yarn Bee cotton, and a Leafy Newborn Beanie in a Baby Bee yarn. Saturday afternoon I started a Basic Romper in Quince & Co. Willet and I am in love, love, love.
Also, I’m taking lots of photos right now. It’s part of my overall nesting occupation. And… no one has asked, but I feel terribly conscious about the fact that Phineas has decided he does not want to be photographed, and I do mean ever. “Teenagerhood” came a little late to that one (he’ll be 14 in December) but it’s in full swing now, blasé attitude and all. Just a little wrinkle for this fall season, I know. But if you don’t see much proof of life here for that particular puberty-ridden child, well, now you know why. It’s not that he’s not here. It’s that he’s hiding behind me to avoid the lens, or purposefully thrusting a book in front of his face, or wrinkling his forehead so that I find a better subject.