In the Eleventh Hour of the Tenth Month

I had THE BEST weekend.

I love this time of year. I know it’s such a basic bitch thing to say, but fall is the very best, and when I was homesick, missing fall almost killed me. I wish this time of year was more static than transitional — if only this part of October lasted four months. Instead, they say our foliage colors will peak next weekend.

I have been busy. I have been run-down. I have had nightmares about fleeting time. I decided to take a four-day weekend to recoup. I decided to love myself better I could sincerely benefit from some outdoor time and down time. The girls had Fall Break. The Mister took some time off as well. It was THE BEST.

Sassy and I went to the orchard and did the whole hayride-corn maze #thotumn thing. We were veritable sun-kissed goddesses of the corn. Ridiculously happy, really.

Moo had gone with her friends and we found them while we searched for the scarecrow in the maze.

Then I told The Mister, “I wanna go to the fowwest.” So we goed. We walked, we hiked, we rested, we played. Tromping about in the leafeses of autumn is utterly joyful. You probably won’t believe me when I tell you, but my husband not only stopped to watch ducks, chipmunks, squirrels, a woodpecker, and a baby blue jay, but he also hugged a tree. Witches’ honor. Saw it with my own two eyes.

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There were other good things, too. While I had lots of time to snuggle babies and furbabies, we were also allotted many hours alone as a couple. I caught up with an old friend, enjoyed a rainy day in pajamas, and slept peacefully. I enjoyed Count Chocula, pumpkin bread, pumpkin cupcakes, pulled pork, and a caramel apple.

Yes, I still taxied kids, shopped, cooked, laundered, and even got some sewing done, but I had a wonderful, beautiful long weekend because so much of it was done at my leisure.

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this lil spot is right close to home, and for deborah, i’ll show you all four seasons of it

I needed that. I am restored. I am extremely grateful. It is well – with my soul.

Which is good, because tomorrow morning will find me taking a deep breath before I click on my work inbox.

About joey

Neurotic Bitch, Mother, Wife, Writer, Word Whore, Foodie and General Go-To-Girl
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77 Responses to In the Eleventh Hour of the Tenth Month

  1. scr4pl80 says:

    What gorgeous pictures. Sounds like a marvelous weekend! Thanks for sharing.

    Liked by 1 person

  2. So nice to read about your beautiful and restored weekend, Joey 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  3. orbthefirst says:

    #Thotumn made me laugh out loud. 😛 Glad youre having a good time. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  4. “I wish this time of year was more static…”

    Amen to that. I love the autumn the best, I think, in spite of the fact it means that winter is right around the corner. Unbelievable beauty. Glad you were able to immerse yourself and restore.

    Liked by 1 person

    • joey says:

      Thank you so much! Your landscape is surely ideal for autumn… followed by a brutal winter… and a glorious spring! Thanks for stopping in! It’s great to see you!

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Joanne Sisco says:

    The medicinal qualities of nature at its best! I too wish autumn wasn’t quite so temporary. Knowing it’s so fleeting makes us appreciate it even more.

    I hope you manage to squeeze in a few more glorious days outdoors in the autumn glory before it’s all over.

    Liked by 1 person

  6. Sounds like you and yours had a perfect long fall weekend. Take a really good cup of coffee and a pumpkin something with you to the office this morning because after four days the load will be heavy. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    • joey says:

      It was lovely. I did take the remaining pumpkin cupcakes in and of course I had coffee 🙂
      I was really surprised my email wasn’t as high as it had been after other absences. I credit our new Receptionist for being so competent.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. Rivergirl says:

    Sun kissed Goddesses of the Corn…. I love it!
    Your weekend sounds like our vacation, tree hugging fall splendor!

    Liked by 1 person

  8. Susanne says:

    Bravo, sun-kissed goddess of the corn! Nature’s temple hath restored you and it is good.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. loisajay says:

    We are allowed Mental Health Days now. Sad but true. No one passing up those! Your weekend sounds like heaven. Ease into that Inbox…..

    Liked by 1 person

    • joey says:

      I know it. It’s a thing. Humans need to unwind brains as much as bodies. Oof!
      I was surprised, my inbox was 56 and I was expecting more like 75. I credit Reception with, you know, WORKING. I think that’s another perk to her being in our office. Previous Receptionist was not as … well…

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Ally Bean says:

    Your photos are beautiful. The colors are intense and obviously restorative. Good on you for getting out there and finding balance.

    Liked by 1 person

  11. Laura says:

    Oh my, these colors are gor-gee-ous. !! It does indeed sound like an absolutely lovely fall weekend. You deserve it.

    Liked by 1 person

  12. Tara says:

    Lovely photos, my dear. I’m so happy you had a four day fun weekend. You deserve that, and more! Love the yellows the most, btw, not that you asked. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Wonderful pics. I find autumn to be the most beautiful time of the year with the changing leaves and the Halloween/Thanksgiving decorations.

    Liked by 1 person

  14. Benson says:

    I am so glad you had a great weekend and I am glad you shared your beautiful pictures. The one shot I missed was the one of Jake hugging that tree. That pic would be priceless. Actually all of the pics you take of your family are priceless. Enjoy your week.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. You gave me goosebumps! I felt your joy and happiness all through this post. Your fall is glorious, and the Mister hugged a tree! So much happiness!!

    Oh, I love that lil’ spot close to you. The reflections are amazing! I’m looking forward to seeing it in all four seasons!

    I hope the happiness and energy carry you all through this last week of October! This month for me begins the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.

    Liked by 1 person

    • joey says:

      Thank you so much, Deborah. I really do wish I could hold onto it longer. I hope I get out again next weekend. I do like the mode of coming holiday cheer 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

  16. bikerchick57 says:

    “It is well with my soul…”
    Absolutely, Joey. We all need time off to relax and recharge. I’m glad you took your four days off to enjoy autumn and the family. Pretty colors – love the yellow tree-lined road and path!
    I have never gone through a corn maze and usually think of it when it’s too late and too cold. Maybe next year I’ll finally take the leap…

    Liked by 1 person

  17. ghostmmnc says:

    Yay! A beautiful and restful weekend doing just what you wanted. Love the fall leaves and trees! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  18. Catwoods says:

    What beautiful pictures! I really enjoyed seeing them and reading about this fun and lovely time!

    Liked by 1 person

  19. Luanne says:

    I love this! That’s all. LOVE it!

    Liked by 1 person

  20. I am a fall person, too. What you describe sounds like the perfect weekend. I had some urban wildlife around, including a tiny little bat. That was kind of cool and seasonal.

    Liked by 1 person

  21. Kat says:

    Fabulous photos, Joey! Thank you for sharing them with us. There’s mostly thirsty brown foliage here this year so your photos are appreciated. I’m very glad you and yours had a near perfect weekend.

    Liked by 1 person

    • joey says:

      Thanks, Kat! Our last autumn wasn’t as glorious. More yellow than anything, and brown too quickly, then suddenly bare. O_O We were robbed!

      Like

  22. markbialczak says:

    Congratulations on connecting with the beauty and love of life, Joey. It looks absolutely fabulous in your part of our world.

    Liked by 1 person

  23. marianallen says:

    What gorgeous pictures! Made me jealous until I look up and saw woodses all around my house. But no joeys, so still jealous. Thanks for the reference to “It Is Well With My Soul”. It was my grandpa’s favorite hymn so, now that he’s gone, it’s mine. Hearing somebody else reference it was like somebody saying, “Your grandpa says to tell you hi, and he loves you.” 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  24. JT Twissel says:

    You got some lovely foliage shots! I generally like this time of year too but we have so many fires in California now that it’s hard to do anything but constantly check the news and worry ….

    Liked by 1 person

  25. JoAnna says:

    A perfect weekend! I hope you get to go to the fowwest again soon! I know that tree was tickled by the Mr.’s hug. And you have lots gorgeous photos to remind you.

    Liked by 1 person

  26. These photos are just gorgeous, Joey.

    Liked by 1 person

  27. Bill says:

    Wonderful. I like this time of year too, but I swear; it seems like Fall in Texas can be measured in hours.

    Liked by 1 person

  28. Dan Antion says:

    One of these days I’m going to find the bottom of this inbox. It seems every time I groan and consider just wiping the whole lot, I stumble onto a Joey post and my faith is restored – there are still items worthy of reading, albeit late reading. I love the photos, Fall colors signal a stark future, but they do it so well, with such style. Would that we could all go out like that. I am happythat you were able to restore your being. October was such a rush-to-the-finish-line line for me, I feel like I fell farther behind each day. In many ways, I did. Certainly this inbox!

    So, as I am reading this, you have another weekend coming up. I hope it’s wonderful!

    Liked by 1 person

  29. Maggie says:

    I loved reading this. I am so glad you had this time to restore your mighty self!

    Liked by 1 person

  30. Amy says:

    Those colors are fabulous!! I love the forest. It brings me such peace. I’m glad that you were able to have a great weekend and find yourself restored. 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  31. Prior... says:

    Enjoyed the fall photos here – the golden glow! And like that white hoodie of yours – not sure why i extra noticed it – but I am in need of some new sweatshirts and lightweight jackets – maybe that is why..::
    Anyhow – also like that #thotumn”

    Liked by 1 person

    • joey says:

      Hah! Thanks! It’s actually a lightly structured jacket. It’s not corduroy but similar — total lint magnet, but I love it 😀

      Liked by 1 person

      • Prior... says:

        Oh texture adds another fun aspect – and not much luck on my finding some new ones – and hope your weekend is off to a nice start Joey

        Liked by 1 person

        • joey says:

          Thanks! You too! Seriously, Y, I have a post upcoming — about the horrors of shopping for outerwear, so I understand your hunt!

          Liked by 1 person

          • Prior... says:

            I look forward to
            Your post – and wish I had more time to blog because I would maybe do a “what you wear Wednesday” post Every week! Because it is just so fun to explore this topic – (my next post is on dresses) also – I think of folks with certain itejs – like you always come to mind with converse – ha! ((And sometimes I think of you when I moisturize because even though we do need internal Oils and fats to help Skin from inside out- we still often need external moisture help! So you come to mind with that too 😉 ))
            Anyhoo – I just put two “decent” lightweight Jackets in a thrift store bag! Both fit all wrong and refuse to wear them again- one was a big sale Nike item and so it was iffy –
            Ok – be back for your post later – peace

            Liked by 1 person

            • joey says:

              So nice to be thought of!
              Well you know I eat my nuts and seeds, olives and avocados, fish and eggs and cheese, but girl, I still need dermatological assistance on that ashy exterior! Hah!
              I would totally read What You Wear Wednesday and might would even contribute now and again.
              Here’s wishing the time would open up for blogland 🙂

              Liked by 1 person

  32. Prior... says:

    Hi J- could I use the photo of you with your white-cream colored jacket – well I might add to a post – but wanted to ask while I am getting ideas…

    Like

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