so long, goodbye.

Ok. It's funny how things happen---just recently I've been thinking about children. I used to believe I would not, under any circumstances, be able to have any. Now, I'm coming around to the idea of family...just a little bit. I in no way wish to be pregnant any time short of the next decade, but I think I might like to have a kid. One. One kid.

Considering the responsibility of having kids and the cost, I'm not sure I (possibly with the aid of some husband or something) could handle more than the one. In my mind, the only reason for having more is to be able to name them.

With that in mind, I visited an old favorite, Design Mom, today. I've been falling out of touch with her lately and I thought I'd check in. Well, after today, I can finally say: I'm over it. She's having another baby. That makes six kids in all. That's a lot. Perhaps I didn't notice before, but her posts on family are numerous and her Mormon roots are showing through a bit more. I don't have a problem with either, but these facts don't quite jive with the lifestyle I lead, or wish to have one day.

Therefore, on the best of terms, I part with you, DM. It was fantastic while it lasted, but I'm now replacing you with younger models.


(image found via a new favorite, ohjoy.blogs.com)

keuka lake.

I spent this past weekend in Upstate, NY---Bath and Hammondsport to be more exact (oh, and a lovely Hampton Inn in Painted Post,NY). Although the mission at hand was to spread the ashes of a close family friend who had grown up there, the trip was quite pleasant.

In addition to spending time with some people I don't get to see often, I picked Concord grapes off the vine, felt the autumn wind tangle my hair, and did some excellent food/wine tasting.

My favorite part of the trip had to have been Saturday night. Post ash-spreading, we put on our fancy clothes and made our way to dinner. On the way, after stopping at roadside stands to buy an assortment of baked goods, jams, butters, and gourds, we realized we were still early for our reservation and took a detour to one of the most simply beautiful places I've been: Garrett Chapel.

Garrett Chapel is built into the side of a hill, overlooking Keuka Lake (part of the Finger Lakes). It's natural stone architecture makes it look so at home in its environment. It's the type of place that makes me think of secret passages---especially when sitting on the Chapel's foliage covered benches at twilight.

I plan on being married there someday.

a tribute.

There's a certain young lady who makes me happy every time I see her. She gives me hope for future generations and cuts my hair. She's my little brother's best friend.

I can always depend on her for online photo albums that amuse me/help me waste time. Today I would like to share today's treat of images from a cornfield in the Berkshires. Thank you, Allie.

This is she: