The Hazard Chronicles

This week was full of Autumn goodness, and one big piece of exciting news for Evelyn and Rachel.

First of all though, I am going to complain a little bit about the weather. I love, Love, LOVE the fall season. The brisk cool air. The colors. The frost in the mornings, followed by beautiful sunny days. The smells of smoke and spices and furnaces and, for some reason, diesel fuel. I don't know why that last one, but it is a part of it for me. The crisp sounds of leaves or frosty grass underfoot. The cozy feeling of wearing a down jacket over flannel while allowing the cold air to nip at your face. All of it, put together, makes for the best season of the year.

However...

This year it was almost forgotten. We went straight from summer in August to a wet and cold September and then straight into snow in October. Snow! We don't usually see our first flurries until around Thanksgiving. People, including us, are scrambling to get their houses, yards, boats, and vehicles ready for the winter and it hasn't left much time to just enjoy the season as it was meant to be. Autumn is fighting back though, like a withered old man refusing to let go of his last tenuous grip on life, and this weekend was able to make a little resurgence. And it was beautiful.

We took advantage of all this niceness and went apple picking at the local hot spot. Besides the apples, there is a large play area for kids which always reminds me of "future world" from the movie "Split Infinity" (Feature Films for Families). Those who know what I'm talking about can thank me later for the memories. Those who don't...don't bother. Anyway, this year was particularly nice because for about an hour Rachel and I were able to leave the kids to their own devices and, caramel latte`s in hand, walk around the area enjoying the acoustic music, country smells, and each other's company. It was a good afternoon. 

Later that weekend, of course, we had to do some baking with our freshly picked fruit. Ahhh, Autumn. It's a glorious thing.

*****

Knowing that our window of sunny days might be short, we also got out this weekend to go on a hike. The destination was "Outlaw Wall," a new climbing area that used to be on private property but is now open to the public. It was a beautiful walk to a not-so-beautiful crag. I know, it's just barely getting developed. I know, it's supposed to be great easy climbing on longish routes. And it's true that I may be a little spoiled, but to me it just looked loose and dirty and...yuck. But it was a beautiful hike.

*****

And now, for the big announcement.

These two beautiful women are headed to Bolivia next summer on a service mission to work in an orphanage! Rach and I have talked about doing things like this with our kids as they grow up to help them get outside of themselves and to give them a broader perspective of the world. When the opportunity came around, we applied knowing that Ev might be a little young, but we found out this week that they accepted her application and that she is on the team! I am really excited for both of them. 

*****

Well...have a good week!