Dear Sunday Letter friends,
Did you remember to fall back this morning? I’m not sure why we still observe Daylight Saving Time, but here we are, falling back. (And later, we’ll be falling asleep…) Gracie and Annabelle aren’t observing it, so for the next few days, we will be more out of sync than normal here in schnauzer world. For several days will we all be wondering, “Now, what time would it have been if we hadn’t set our clocks back?”
The math isn’t difficult but the brain confusion is real, y’all.
Last week brought lots of drizzle, our first frost, and our first freeze (at least at the airport where weather is recorded for posterity). You know what takes quite a bit of time to do? Moving all the outside potted plants indoors and finding a spot for them to live throughout winter.
Some, get to overwinter in the garage. Others, crowd inside the house. I’ve been trying to find sunny windowsills all week because this year, I refuse to completely turn over my kitchen to porch plants.
We shall see.
Peace Lily
My father-in-law, Gene, would have turned 100 years old last week. After his funeral (in 2013), we brought home a peace lily that someone had sent in his honor. In the years since his death, the plant has grown and grown, and we’ve repotted it several times.
It spends spring and summer on the back porch, but when the weather grows cooler, John moves it to the kitchen just inside the door.
This year, for Gene’s birthday, it bloomed.
Someone must be watching over it.
Pearl’s Books
I’m happy to say we finally visited Fayetteville’s new independent bookstore, Pearl’s Books. It’s so charming with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves and a library ladder! I don’t know why, but I’ve always been fascinated with a library ladder.
Of course, we couldn’t go to Pearl’s Books without adding to our to-read stacks. Here’s what we purchased:
Double Toil and Trouble is a collection of short stories by Donald Harington, published posthumously. Tulsa 1921 speaks for itself. (I grew up in Arkansas yet knew nothing about the Tulsa massacre…) I’ve been on the Fayetteville Public Library waitlist for Amor Towles’ latest, The Lincoln Highway. I won’t have to wait anymore. And bonus—it’s signed by the author!
Tennessee Bound
I’m headed to Tennessee this week to attend a nature-writing class at a writer colony near Nashville. I’m excited about the opportunity—I had to apply to be accepted. Between now and when I leave, I have so much I need to accomplish. Wish me luck. I think I may need it.
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Sorry for the super short Sunday Letter today. Momma will be returning from the farm next week, no doubt filled with wisdom and inspiration to see us through the end of the year. Maybe she’ll even share a nugget in the comments below.
And now, enjoy this day that marks the end of another Daylight Saving Time. I predict we will all be sleepwalking tonight by 8 p.m.
Grace Grits and Gardening
Farm. Food. Garden. Life.
Yes I laid in bed figuring what time it would have been if I hadn’t turned the clocks back. Ugh! I tried to stay up later than usual last night but that didn’t work either.
I am interested in the Donald Harrington book of short stories. You introduced me to him several years ago when you gifted me a copy of The Choiring of Trees. ❤️
Gene is still everywhere it seems. Happy reading and writing!
I have no nuggets of inspiration this morning. I did, however, like what the weatherwoman from Memphis said: “The fog is hugging the Mississippi River this morning.” I love Fayetteville; I love living in Fayetteville. But, I do miss the Mississippi River. I feel her presence on the farm. (How about them Hogs yesterday? WOW.)
Your next book? Give us a probable date. Thanks. It will be welcomed here,