Falling into a Routine

Fall is here, full in teeth and mouth.  The leaves are changing, the air is crisp and the sweaters and fleeces are no longer a stylish statement but a requirement to chase away the chill in the air.  We spent some time early in the week refinishing a curb-picked desk.  Power tools and eager child labor is no match for sixty year old varnish.  We finished restaining and varnishing the desk on Saturday and had it all moved into place by Sunday morning.  Saturday afternoon was a good time for us to get out for some squirrel hunting.  Merrick had his BB gun and Sophia carried my 20 gauge for most of the trip.  We hunted the oaks given the large amount of acorns on the forest floor and spent several fifteen minute increments just sitting quietly and still with our back against big trees hoping for a chance at a gray squirrel.  Alas, we saw none, but still took a couple of shots at some stray cans near where we parked the car.  Sophia was able to shoot the 20 gauge, but it gave her a small raspberry on her arm.  We returned for a brief nap before heading to some friends house for a meal and play time.  Sunday was spent working on fly tying and the domestic chores of grocery shopping, although the latter also required some breakfast pastries.  All of these activities wore Merrick out enough to ask to take a nap in the hammock.  Beautiful day to curl in under the warmth of a blanket and let the cool fall breezes rock you to sleep.  Sophia headed to a friends house for a while, and Merrick and I hit the orchard to pick some apples.  The apple crop took a beating this year, but we still found enough to fill our bag.  Having a "Merrick Monkey" to get the hard to reach apples is a benefit.  Most will get eaten, but we will peel up some to freeze for a Thanksgiving pie.  We did put the apples on the counter and pushed them aside to make room to make a fresh batch of chocolate chip cookies for this week's lunches and snacks.  As the weekend comes to an end we start getting ready for the new routines of fall that now include Monday evening dance classes for Sophia.  We are all always on our toes now.