Lovely Saturday

Saturday was one of those great days. The only way it could've been better was if it was longer and I'd had time to do more stuff. Perfect crisp autumn weather, with the leaves changing and fallen ones scattered over the ground. I went out to the garden for some fall planting, beet harvesting, and general enjoyment of playing in the dirt without being drenched in sweat like this summer. After we (my garden-buddy Lawre and me) were satisfied with the garden we walked the edge of the property sampling the apples from the 5 varieties of trees growing. I chose 2 apples I particularly liked and we started picking--a tart crisp green one like an original apple granny smiths were cultivated from, and a dark-skinned red that is just a straight apple, maybe somewhat like a Rome? I climbed one tree and was picking apples and handing them down to Lawre. I haven't climbed a tree since I was a kid, and it was just as much fun. Given my irrational fear of falling, I worried about clambering around and particularly about getting down, but the tree was so solid and the apple picking so fun it didn't bother me at all. I have a bushel basket of apples waiting for pies, cranberry-apple butter, or whatever else I decide on.

Next stop was the wine shop for its weekly wine tasting. I chatted with one of the employees I know while waiting for the crowd surrounding the tasting table to die down - not surprising since it was one of the favorite guest pourers from another town. Actually I browsed the Belgian beer section and picked up a recommended ale I haven't tried yet (Delirium Tremens), a classic Hefe (Hoegaarden), and Victory Brewery's octoberfest beer (I've liked everything I've had from them). After the wine tasting, I teetered next door for mega-grocery shopping. We had no food at all in the h0use, and I grabbed every item we normally eat, and when I got home we needed all of it except one thing. Not bad for no list.

The weather was so nice D and I went bike riding, which we haven't in quite a while. It was great fun and the smell of falling leaves was overpowering at some points. Then I passed through an area rich with the smell of jasmine. I looked around at the plants but didn't see any, yet the scent was unmistakable. Jasmine has become one of those smells that always seems to be associated with wonderful memories and hence opens a little window into my heart. I breathed in as deeply as possible when we pedaled back through that section.

Next was the company's fall picnic party "Pooptoberfest". If you know who I work for, you know why it's named that. They had good beer, great variety of food, and everyone's dogs running around. Katie was like a shadow to me, and I had a laugh walking back and forth and seeing her spin to keep right next to me, esp. since she's not "my" dog. We put a glowstick bracelet on Windy's collar so we had a chance of finding her in the dark as she ran around. I figured we'd go for a bit and get some food, then head home. But we were all having a good time and stayed until close to 10.

So, it seems like my ideal Saturdays involve being outdoors most of the day, a touch of alcohol, and chatting with friends. Yep, that pretty much describes my camping experiences too.