A fast descent into fall!

Dang, it's chilly here!!! We're only expecting a high of 63 degrees today, a drastic change from the 90 degrees we had a week ago. Dark skies and showers after I walked the dog this morning; luckily, we didn't get soaked.

But hooray, football kicks off today! I've put chili and rice on tonight's dinner menu, and I'm planning to spend all afternoon in the basement, working on a new black skirt for me and watching the games. I'm going to try to finish your flannel pants as well, to mail off in a care package to you this week.

Lydia will be spending a few hours at Clara's house, decorating agenda covers and hanging out. Dad's going to practice some more, and watch football, too. Unfortunately, we don't have the Patriots game, but I'm catching glimpses of the game when they do the highlights around the NFL....didn't look too good for New England - Tom Brady got his leg twisted and limped off the field into the locker room....not a good start at all.

It's really odd to be home alone with your dad so much this weekend, with Lydia being off with her friends. Makes me realize that this is what retirement will be like, not that I'm likely to retire any time soon! We're all getting the hang of cooking for 3 instead of 4, doing laundry in smaller batches. Yesterday morning, with Lydia still at her sleepover, your dad and I went to the Richfield Farmer's Market, over on 64th and Portland. Picked up some great veggies (tomatoes, cucumbers, green beans and sweet corn) along with a wedge of Wisconsin-made Gouda cheese. We had the veggies for dinner last night, along with a grilled pork tenderloin. Very yummy.

Didn't make it to church this morning, Lydia being sound asleep, dead to the world after spending all yesterday afternoon on Lake Minnetonka tubing and learning how to water ski. She's not going to know what to do with herself when fall/winter really hits, and there aren't any more outdoor activity options.

Grandma and Grandpa got me a gift certificate to a bulb company for my birthday, so I need to spend a little time this weekend figuring out where I want to put in some new lilies and daffodils this fall, after we chop down the garden. I know of at least four "holes" in the back garden where I want to plug in some tall Asiatic lilies, and I think I want to put a couple clumps of daffodils along the fence line, next to the driveway. I've got $100 to play with, so it should be fun spending someone else's money.

Hope you aren't too terribly rusty on your skates when you try out the new UVM ice tonight - let me know if I need to mail you any more skating gear (clothes, dresses, gloves, ?).

Love,
Mom