October...

Ahhhh!  October! There is no more wondrous month of the year!  Though the other eleven months possess charm unique to each of them, those 31 days of October captivate my soul with their own particular brand of enchantment!  What is it about October, though that makes my heart go pitter patter more than any other month?  Being the perpetual listmaker that I am, I shall comprise an inventory of the reasons this tenth month of the year is so dear to my heart.

1.  The sky begins to take on an entirely new hue on October 1.  It somehow becomes softer, clearer, crisper.  It is on this day that I usually make multiple trips to the storage building to drag out the many containers packed with pumpkins, witches, and goblins which will decorate my home for the next 31 days.

2.  Sweaters, boots, and scarves!  (Eventually.  After all, this is Texas.)

3.  Columbus Day.  I don't know why, but I've always liked that holiday.  When I was a little girl, we actually didn't have school on Columbus Day.  I have fond memories of the little poem, "Columbus sailed the ocean blue in 1492..." (I don't remember the rest, but there was something about the Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria.)

4.  Fall fragrances!  I especially love Mulled Cider, Pumpkin Spice, and apple-anything-or-another. 

5.  Salted Caramel Mocha from Starbucks. PSL just doesn't do for me what that cup of chocolatey, caramelly, salty yumminess does.

6.  Cool, crisp mornings and evenings spent on the patio.

7.  Potpourri.  Now this is a delicacy only known to our family and friends close enough to be privy to its existence.  It is comprised of two simple ingredients...candy corn and cashews (or peanuts).  Many know of this delicious mixture, but few know its "Toddified" name. You're welcome.

8.  The warmth of the heater in my car, especially the first time I turn off the AC.

9.  The moon.  I love the moon year round, but that October moon...  There is none other like it, no matter the phase.

10.  My birthday!  There is just something tangibly different about the way it feels to wake up on the morning of one's birthday.  It's as if you don't realize what day it is right away, but as you begin to rub the sleep from your eyes, there is a gradual realization that this is, in fact, the anniversary of the day on which you landed on this planet, took your first breath, and the clock of your life began to tick. Tick. Tock.  I love my birthday, but who doesn't?  (And if you don't love your birthday, you should definitely reconsider your relationship with this day.  After all, the alternative of having birthdays is, well rather grim.)

This birthday, my last to celebrate on this side of 50, has been one of my best ever!  Last night, as a pre-birthday treat, Emily took me to dinner on the patio of a Mexican restaurant in Abilene.  (I LOVE eating on the patio!)  This morning, as I stumbled into the kitchen for my morning coffee, I was greeted by an adorable metal rooster crafted especially for me by my sweet man. 

 As I pointed my car west to head down the dirt road from my house to the highway, I saw the most brilliant, fullest October moon at the end of the road.  

Just. For. Me.  That same moon followed me to work on my right hand, as the sun peeked over the horizon on my left, painting the sky the most lovely shades of pink, purple, and blue.  I love this photo of the moon over a field of round haybale pumpkins! 

 Although I was at work, my entire day was scattered with birthday wishes and hugs.  It was priceless!

Once I arrived home, I was greeted by my sweet mini Schnauzer, Ellie Mae, and her brother, Buck, the chocolate Lab.  They are always so glad to see me, even if I've only been gone a couple of minutes.  They led me into the kitchen where their daddy had prepared a birthday party, complete with cake, candles, birthday banner, flowers, and a metal rooster with a birthday hat sitting on the barstool!  Made me giddy!  I have the sweetest man in the world!  

So, as the day draws to a close, I am now almost 364 days away from the BIG 5-0.  Another October is also preparing to exit and make way for her sister, November.  In preparation for that monumental anniversary of my birth, I plan to live my life to its absolute fullest!  I will use the good dishes, dance when I feel like it (even if it embarrasses my kids), make time for my man (and myself), visit my relatives, take some photos, write, laugh, cry, hug more, waste less...I will LIVE!  The clock, after all, is ticking.  Let us not waste time.  Tick. Tock.