Autumn Spice & Priorities

Today, it is Autumn. The season of apple picking, leaf crunching, and cinnamon spice candles. I have the strangest feeling it's going to pass me by in the blink of an eye, so I'm making a concerted effort to slow down and savor every sip of hot cider and every crisp morning walk to the train station.

I currently have two "to-do lists" saved on my phone. The first contains the following:

School paperwork, meeting with financial adviser, doctor/dentist appointments, lesson/classroom planning, clean the house, update calendar, email catch-up.

(aka not-so-fun stuff)

There's several more little things on that list (I write everything down so I don't forget), but they were starting to make me anxious. So, I made a second list and titled it "fun to be had." Included there:

De Kooning exhibit at the MOMA, dinner plans with friends, haircut, the start of swing dance lessons, visit to apple orchard, new lipstick, a play date with former students, Sunday walks for library books and coffee, our city hall wedding(!)

My heart rate significantly decreased by creating that second list. Both lists contain important reminders about upcoming priorities. The items on the first don't seem quite as bad now that I've highlighted all of the good stuff, too.

Happy Fall, friends.

(Product roundup: patchwork pillow, marigold coat, illustrated bread recipe, organic tea, bottled cider, cleary heels, wooden pinch bowls)