That "Autumnal Air"

I went for a walk tonight. It was much-needed, and very fulfilling. Some of my friends have blogged recently about fall, and the after-effects of a big storm (with accompanying loss of electricity); my post tonight will have a few of the same thoughts.

I have a fairly sensitive sense of smell (call the Department of Redundancy Department!), and I noticed right away my two favorite fall scents: crushed acrons and cozy fireplace smoke. I used to think that spring was my favorite time of year, but fall runs a close second. Last night there was a vicious wind (invigorating in its own way), but tonight was very calm and mild, without any tang of winter air or crispness to it. I ended up taking off my jacket about 10 minutes into it. The whole experience was unaccountably peaceful. Right around the corner from my house is a street that feels like it just grew there. I can imagine what it was like before the houses were built, but I think it's improved now: it still gives you the sense that you're in the middle of a forest, but there are lives being lived quietly among the trees and lake. Just lovely. I ended up walking for 45 minutes under a half moon and all of the bright stars that go with it, and it was completely perfect. (Incidentally, I love walking at night. It's dark, so you don't get hot from the sunshine, and everybody has the lights on inside their homes and you can see everything: light fixtures, decorations, what TV shows are on. Luckily, nothing creepy yet!)

On Thursday night, I finally went to see "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix," at the "dollar theatre" that only charges $2.50 for a seat. This is priced right, because the seat you get will present a challenge if you are larger than, say, a 10-year-old who's been rather underfed. The $2.50 per seat price is made up for by the hugely expense concessions. My dinner that night was a medium soda and popcorn for $7.50. What? Anyway, the movie was completely and utterly fantastic (but if I hadn't read the book a few times, it might have confused me.). I was by myself and so I didn't have to answer questions from Dan, like "why is here there?" and "what's going on?" It's not like he's generally oblivious, he's just never read the books and the movies have to cram more and more stuff into the same amount of time, so it doesn't hurt to have a little help. I called home as I was leaving the theater and Dan told me the electricity was out. This was bad, because "The Office" was coming on and we couldn't record it. (Episodes are now available to watch online, free.). Additionally, the power had gone out just as Helena was making use of the potty. (He went to get a flashlight while she remained, in the dark, on the can.). This was all kind of an adventure, till the next morning when I was bathing by candlelight and planning what to get out of the fridge so I wouldn't open the door too much. I took the kids out for a walk - well, Helena rode her bike - and Fireman Steve from our local dept. was trolling around town in his fire truck. Helena put her fingers in her ears - she's learned that at parades, those suckers are loud - and Steve asked us how we were doing, if we had everything we needed, etc. It was just nice - really nice - to have him stop and talk with us. He flashed the lights for Helena but didn't blast the horn or anything, told us the power should be on around 1pm, and drove on.

After the whole thing was over, I realized that I am not prepared for any emergencies at all whatsoever. Also, I noticed that I have interior lights on during the day way too much. We have enough windows that if I just open the blinds or curtains all the way, even on a cloudy day we have enough light. I discovered that I need to get the laundry done immediately, always, particularly when it comes to towels and underwear. AND, I was glad that we still had water and gas power. After spending so much time watching "1900s House" and the like, and marveling over the deprivation that went on there, I see that for generations of time, having no electricity or limited resources was the order of the day. We're so fortunate. Unbelieveably so. I mean, Dan spends a lot of time figuring out shelving to store our stuff...because we have more than enough. Clearly, we need more of the RIGHT stuff for emergencies.

Whew! I'm exhausted all over again. That was a wicked long post. Sorry.

Oh, and Big Fat Revelation inserted here: I am focusing too much on the wrong things in life. The thing to focus on is not exercise, or "me" time and the lack of it, or housekeeping, or whatever - the thing to focus on is the Lord. EVERYTHING else comes from that. Isn't it so simple?