I Lost You to the Summer Wind

It is still unpleasantly hot here in the Midwest, and is projected to stay hot for the next week or so.  What happened to the highs of low 70s that was expected to start tomorrow?!  I'm ready to turn off my air conditioner and sit out on the balcony without frying up and attracting all manner of bugs.  I'm ready for red and yellow leaves, boots, and light jackets.  Come on, Fall, work with me!

I did see a rather pretty sunset cloud formation the other night though.  It started out with bright pinks and yellows then turned grey and lilac as it got darker.

Sixteen Days, And Counting

A couple months ago I took advantage of a flight deal Southwest Airlines had going on and bought a ticket to go see my college roommate, Kaitlin!  She lives in Austin, Texas, and I've been wanting to go see her, and the city, for a while now.  When planning the trip, we realized that we haven't physically been in the same room since Graduation day at Drury, which was over five years ago!

Nine years ago, around this time of year, we were just getting to know each other, as randomly selected roommates for our Freshman year dorm.  How did Drury know we would be best friends?!

We went on to be roommates for three of the four years, making up games in our apartment, going to all kinds of sorority events, and donning crazy costumes for Halloween and theme dances.  She even flew to Europe to be part of our epic, post-study abroad trip.

And in sixteen days, we will be reunited and all the epic crazy and fun will be had.  Austin, here I come!

(photos by e.hunt, e.gerhardt, r.hunt, d.barney, and k.horner)

Peter's Pigeon Party

Last night at dinner we were sitting at our usual spots by the window when we noticed something strange.  The conservatory was abuzz with animals coming out for their dinner, but something was different.  Usually the birds are scattered about, with the bunnies off to the side, but this time the little rabbit was at the center of attention, telling all of his pigeon friends what mischief he got into that day.  "Mr. McGregor is not going to be happy about his garden tomorrow," says Peter, while all his bird friends twitter about in agreement.  "You didn't eat enough there, though, did you?" chirps Benjamin Bird.  "Well, no," Peter Rabbit replies, "that was just lunch!"

(photo by e.hunt)

Mercury Vapor Lights

We've gotten a little of that September fall weather over the past couple weeks, but then it shot back up to the 90s this weekend.  I'm ready for chilly mornings, a hot chocolate treat at night, falling leaves, and all the little ankle boots.  That is why this month's inspirational color is deep burgundy red.  It's comforting, but also mysterious, much like Autumn itself.

(photos collected from krautkopffoodblog, melusineh.tumblr, instagram.com/weareherenow, instagram.com/littleeena, instagram.com/elledecor, urbanoutfitters, gh2u.tumblr, instagram.com/afarmedia, houseandgarden, flickr, fredriksonstallard, flickr, places.kellynbailey, and instagram.com/lostinmaps)

Apples, Peaches, Pumpkin Pie, All Not Ready, Holler 'I'!

Here we are at another Monday, and a beautiful Monday it is!  Take a few minutes today to remember the September 11th attacks that happened sixteen years ago today.  It's one of those few infamous events that anyone who was alive that day remembers where they were and how they found out about it.  I was in sixth grade; not quite old enough to really comprehend what was happening, but I knew it was horrific and would effect everybody in some way.

I hope you had a lovely weekend.  I worked both days, as usual, but Uncle Paul was in town so we all went to this new Mexican restaurant for dinner, Rosalita's.  The place had a cool, modern, Spanish courtyard look, but it was a bit of a drive, and the food was only so-so.  I think in the future we'll stick to our usual, walkable Amigo's for Mexican.

Last night Dad and Taylor barbecued delicious meats and veggies.  We've had beautiful weather the last week: high 70s/low 80s.  I even needed to wear a jacket on my early work mornings!

When I got home I went on a little baking spree.  Dad's birthday is today so I whipped up a little something for that, and while the oven was preheated, I made another batch of pumpkin muffins!  I had one this morning, sitting at my usual spot in the window, and sipped a cup of Anniversary Blend coffee.  A perfect Fall morning.

I have a few errands to run this afternoon and then I will head home for another marvelous meal and birthday festivities.  Happy Birthday, Dad!

(photos by e.hunt)

Eclipse Day

A couple weeks ago we experienced a rare and overwhelming natural phenomenon: a total solar eclipse.  The whole country would experience at least a partial eclipse, but St. Louis happened to be in the path that would get to see it in totality.  I was lucky enough to be off work so I picked up a coffee for myself and an iced tea for Dad and met him at the park.

Eclipse Day sort of became an unofficial holiday, what with businesses closing or people taking the day off, so there were quite a few people at the park.  The dock wasn't busy at all though.  We had about twenty minutes or so until the main event so we just observed the surroundings.  The little crescent moon shadows were the coolest part.

And then the total eclipse started happening.  During the last five or ten minutes everything was covered in this weird twilight light (the parking lot lamps even came on!), and then it got really dark. The frogs started ribbeting and the nighttime bugs started making their nighttime bug sounds, and the sun was almost completely covered.

It was one of the coolest things I've ever seen.  I thought it was going to be neat, but it was much more exciting than I was expecting.  I tried to take a picture of it at totality but forgot to put my eclipse glasses over the lens.  One of Dad's friends did remember and sent him that second picture; pretty cool, hunh?!!

After the minute and a half of totality, it went back to twilight, then to daytime.  The frogs and bugs went back to sleep and we met up with Taylor at Amigo's for an afternoon round of Victoria beers.  While there, we saw another odd natural occurrence in the form of strange clouds that looked like someone took their hand and swiped a section of it.  Ahh, nature is awesome.

(photos by e.hunt, and Dad's friend Megan)