I know we haven't even had time to enjoy fall yet, but I'm already dreaming of winter, which I never EVER do. I am a lifelong summer person. I live for beaches. And tops down on convertibles. And cookouts and tomato season and fresh corn and green beans. But when I woke up this morning and felt a serious nip in the air, I actually got excited about winter. (Ask Dave. It won't last a day past Christmas. But for now, I'm revelling in it.) I think it's because this year, winter, for me, means slowing way down. And thinking a few things over. Friends and family keep asking me what I'm doing since I left the magazine, and the truth is, I'm still figuring that out. After years of knowing exactly where I was going to be, I'm now just following the roads I feel led to travel and trusting that they'll take me to the right place. 
And I'm trying very hard, after years of working and pushing and juggling and racing the clock, to just . . . be still. Still like winter. I want to take the time to see the true shape of things, the way you see trees completely differently once the leaves are gone and their trunks and branches stand out against a clear sky. (Thank you, Southern Living Gardens friends, for teaching me that:) Should be interesting. And if all else fails, I'll take a cue from Hank the Cat—when in doubt, nap.
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How beautiful.
Posted by: Kacey | October 19, 2011 at 03:25 PM
Thanks so much!
Posted by: valerieluesse | October 20, 2011 at 05:55 AM
ALWAYS nap, especially with the cat on top. We're also enjoying a nip but my gardenia is blooming again.....
Posted by: Anne | October 20, 2011 at 12:52 PM
Hmmm. Gardenias at Halloween. Now that's a new one:) We're overdue a phone chat!
Posted by: valerieluesse | October 20, 2011 at 02:32 PM