Fall 2014 Group Challenge begins Sunday - Oct. 19th

[Bucky]

Part #1 - done!     Today I spent time outside trimming bushes that needed it.  I've waited all summer to see if my husband or son would do it . . . I guess since it is the end of October it's safe to assume they aren't going to do it.  Some times, it's just easier to do it yourself!  It's hard to work on something when you're sweating and the salt is going into your eyes and your eyes are burning.    

Since Sjogren's and Plaquenil - I am sensitive to the sun.  I could feel the sun burning my leg through my jeans!  When I was done outside and came in to take a shower, yep - my leg had red welts on it right where I was getting the sun burning feeling.  Plus, it's harvest time and the farmers are in the fields harvesting their corn and soybeans and the box elder bugs and ladybugs are swarming everywhere.  The ladybugs bite too . . . ouch! 

Now you see why I end up staying indoors more often than not . . . I don't like bugs, and the sun doesn't like me.   

Hope you are having nice weather wherever you are - we were in the 70's today, which was perfect.

Bucky

[ohiolady]

My husband and I live in Florida for most of the year, so we don't have a true fall.  But, the time is changing in a few weeks so my husband and I are spending our evenings on the patio.  In a few weeks, we will have to come in at 6:00 pm.

Everyone enjoy your fall!

Anna

[susanep]

I think my days of what I am doing are kind of already over lapping each other. lol.. The other day (Friday) I read some articles by a woman living with Cancer and how each moment is truly living. I found such inspiration from her, and kept reading more of her writings. It took me away from my problems. Reading this was different for me, because I usually go to the same places reading and responding, but not reading just for the sake of reading. Does that make any sense. lol....

Now as for Saturday, I hadn't read the weekend challenge until now, but Saturday I was watching the squirrels climbing up and down the trees, probably getting them some acorns to store up for winter. I was admiring the colorful leaves, but also many are on the ground now. I would feel them crunching under my feet.I watched leaves flying through the air.

I will let you know what I do later today.

susanep

[genko_b]

We are having very stormy weather here, so my outdoors time will have to wait until Sunday.

[Sleepy In Seattle]

I work outdoors, so that part is easy! (If the weather cooperates....  )

Had a nice calm ride around the "Back 40" with my teenage lesson client yesterday morning, and it only rained on us a little bit.

Today we're going to the local farm where we've picked out pumpkins every year since our daughter was 2 years old. They farm the land with old machinery and draft horses, and grow all sorts of yummy organic veggies, so we'll come home with lots of edible souvenirs of the season, and support local agriculture at the same time.

It's a little poignant, though - after this year we only get to do this one more time before our daughter is off to college and her own life. 18 years goes by QUICK!!!!!

[Carebear]

I wanted to participate in this weekend's challenge.  Really I did.

But the weather turned very cold, very windy.  And it started snowing two hours ago.   

Let's rewind to last weekend.  We went for a walk in our beautiful river valley, enjoying the Fall colours and the crunching of dried leaves.  Lots of sightings of birds, squirrels, and even a coyote two blocks from my house.  The dogs didn't even react.   Maybe they were stunned like me because it walked within 25 feet of us.

Now, it is a distant memory as I watch the snow accumulate.

[Bucky]

Snow?!?    Carebear - please keep that stuff up there in Canada, we don't want it down here.   

genko - sorry your weather didn't cooperate.   

sleepy -  people who own livestock HAVE to take care of them 365 days of the year no matter what the weather is. It's a hard job.  I could never do that.

Bucky

[Bucky]

Day #9 of our 14-day Challenge:

Well, the first week of the challenge is complete - here's a recap of what we've done so far in case you missed something and need to catch up.   

Day #1 -  Do something fun.

Day #2 - Five "get-to-know-you" questions.

Day #3 -  Send a thinking of you card by snail mail.

Day #4 - S-l-o-w down day.

Day #5 - Random act of kindness.

Day #6 - Pick your challenge day.

Day #7 + #8 - Two Part challenge.  Part #1 - be outside for at least 10 minutes   Part #2 - gather some free decorations that nature provides and decorate your house with them.

If you are just now reading about this 14-Day Challenge, it's not too late to join in the fun.   

Today's challenge is:   Lost on a Desert Island

The situation is dire - following a shipwreck, everyone has been stranded on a deserted island!  Each person is allowed to bring one object to the island - ideally something that represents you or something you enjoy.  Describe what object you would bring and why.

Happy Monday to you!   

Bucky

"Every day may not be good, but there's something good in every day."    ~~ Author Unknown ~~

[genko_b]

Very cool new challenge! I got outside today and have flowers and branches from the yard in vases throughout the house. I'll check in tomorrow on the desert island challenge - need to think about what to bring.

Genko

[Sleepy In Seattle]

I'm gonna stretch the definition of "object" and say I'd bring either my horse or my dog....too hard to choose which one!

If they don't count as "objects" I'd probably choose a favorite book. Maybe "How To Survive on a Desert Island" 

[SjoDry]

It would have to be my tablet  computer..mainly so that I could continue to write/blog.

SjoDry

[A66eyroad]

Sunglasses!!! 

[genko_b]

OK, I really thought about it and decided the one thing to bring to a desert island would be enough fresh water to keep me going until I found a source on the island or built something to condense fresh water out of salt water. That's what comes of having a mother whose hobby was survival camping!

Genko

[Carebear]

I really want to bring my smart phone, so I can play my old radio shows to keep me entertained.  And of course to call for help.  But I decided that if it counts as one item, I would bring my medications and supplements and all my other fixins. 

[catherine1234]

Day 5: Acts of Kindness.  A friend of mine's 5 year old son has extreme food sensitivites to the point where he is severly underweight.  She was stressed out after her pediatrician visit so I whipped up a batch of allergen free "lax balls" (almond butter, gluten free oats, cacoa nibs, coconut and maple syrup). It made him so happy and she was thrilled that he wanted to eat them. It made me happy to do something so small that could bring such unexpected joy