Nope. No, nope. No more. I’m not doing it. I’m not playing whack-a-mole anymore. My arms are tired, my brain is tired, my eyes are tired, my tired is tired. I’m done.
These last two weeks have been b-u-s-y. From budgets to dual deadlines, from community conversations and the delightfully unpredictable nature of community feedback, today’s peace and quiet feels like a blessing. And I’m taking it for all it’s worth.
In case you haven’t looked at your calendar in the last couple days, we’re now in October, my singular most favorite month. The trees are beginning to change their colors, the Halloween decorations are coming out, the mornings are invigorating and the sunsets are spectacular. I have my pumpkin spice coffee in hand, and the office will be filled this afternoon with the cozy aroma of apple cider and cinnamon.
It’s time to slow down and take it all in.
This is what autumn signals to me. Despite the busy fall festival season — or maybe even because of it and as part of it — fall heralds a time to slow down, soak in the beauty of nature and reconnect with ourselves and our loved ones, past and present.
Hootin an Hollarin and Pioneer Days are behind us. Bear Fest and Black Gold Walnut Fest are happening as you read this. Thayer’s Fall Festival is coming up next week, and after that, the 31-year Old-Time Music Festival makes its fall debut. The festivals and the upcoming holidays have an added bonus: They remind us to find our joy. And in these highly conflicted times, I think that’s essential.
Between work and volunteer projects, I keep busy enough. I’m looking forward to enjoying our community coming together as a spectator and observer, as a participant on the fun side of things.
We don’t always have to be in high gear. Sometimes, it’s good to light a fire in the pit on a cool fall night with your favorite beverage in hand and just gaze at the flames, contemplating the choices our forebears made to give us the blessings we count today.
You have permission to rest, to celebrate joy and community without a plan. Come, set a spell with me. Let’s just soak up this moment we’re in.
