Or to put it in the past, we could call it an Xzibit pumpkin. “Yo Dawg, We heard you liked pumpkins so we straight up carved a pumpkin on your pumpkin” – I could just imagine the photo op.

Ape for Apples

Just a quick post to link to some photos showcasing the outdoorsy fun we’ve been enjoying during this lovely season: Fall!

An Apple Picking We Will Go

Over the weekend, Justin and I went apple picking, wine tasting, stopped by a dairy for some fresh bread and cheese, and even spotted a baby black bear!  It was awesome!  I also go to sleep in on Saturday, which was brilliant and much needed.

Setting Up Camp

Rugged Campers With Our Air Mattresses

The weekend before last, we went camping with some friends (Olivia, Alex, and Marisa) in Clarence Fahnestock State Park.  We also brought along Ruby and Eve.  Olivia was accompanied by her pup Winston.  Good times – even if our Hyundai was a little weighed down!

We sat around the campfire until the wee hours of the morning.  We hiked.  We roasted marshmallows.  Good times were had.  Marisa and I saved the day by jogging two miles down a windy road, mostly uphill, to locate our car.  Yah, we’re tough.

Enjoy the photos!

Five days until mine and Justin’s fifth anniversary!

Crossing the street the other day, I noticed a main walking in the opposite direction. I glanced at him briefly and had the impression that his T-Shirt said “Bush” on it.

My Thought: Someone’s wearing a t-shirt that says Bush on it? Like the president? This has to be interesting.

My 2nd glance revealed the figure of person beneath the word with a fist raised triumphantly into the air and a sort of star behind it.

My Thought: Okay, that’s even weirder! Someone is wearing a shirt that says Bush on it that’s not derogatory, but instead is positive!? What’s going on here!?

You guessed it, I had to look at this poor fellow’s t-shirt a 3rd time to get the full gist of what was actually happening on his t-shirt! And then it all made sense. The shirt said “Rush” on it – not Bush (you can see the t-shirt here. I was a little off). The world was back to normal.

Justin and Ness in Chicago – January 2005*

So Wonderful Chicago
In other news, Val! had an interview in Chicago today for a freelance editing job. Not long after the interview, they called to offer her the gig. Wooohooo!!!! The job guarantees one month of solid editing work on a weekly series about gangs. I don’t know more than that, but I know it will allow her to be in Chicago which in itself is fabulous. It also allows her to be there when that glorious Midwestern city is welcoming Autumn in all it’s golden glory. Ahh… Lucky ducky.

And if everything goes as we hope, they’ll have more work for her after the first month. I’m not going to get into what she is getting paid for her hourly rate, but I will say it’s double what I make if I were to be paid hourly. That’s more than you can shake a stick at! Granted, it’s only guaranteed for one month, but who knows! Congratulations Val!!! Take that Windy City by storm!… and don’t be surprised when I come visit you for days at a time. ;)

*It would make more sense to use a photo of Val! and I from Chicago here, but upon checking Flickr and Picasa, I can’t seem to find one. :(

First, let me take you on a tour of witches and a town with a dark past… of bubbling cauldrons, of early America, of the power of persuasion, and fanatical religious fear and murder. Let me take you to Salem, Massachusetts as Val! and I explore the dark past and delightful shops that open in a carnival atmosphere every October. View our photo album here!

Second, you’ll soon be traveling with me, via blog and photos (and possibly video) to South Africa. I am going to post more about this later. Departure date: November 26, 2007.

After packing for the big move ‘07, Justin, Thao, and I settled in for some good old fashioned pumpkin carving! We got some AWESOME photos of the pumpkins, us, and the babies! You HAVE to see these!

But can I say how much I love Chicago? Chicago on the tip of Autumn. Is there any thing more special in the world? There is a crispness in the morning air – a distinct chill. Instead of pulling on a jacket over my short-sleeve sweater, I sit in the back of a cab bound for O’Hare – a pony tail, windows rolled down, cold air encircling my arms, my neck.

Nurseries are selling gourds, decorated with golden wheat standing straight, tied against fence posts. A farmer’s market was set up outside my hotel window this morning, spanning a large parking lot with the white tops of their booths. The darkness of 6 AM pressing down upon their final preparations. They were prepared to sell the good of a true Midwest harvest. There is a certain magic to a Midwest fall that I’ve only know of for 4 years now. I want to transplant myself in the middle of it. I want to follow the season across the globe and live eternally in its magic – departing when the first true crystalline winter frost settles over the earth. I want to stretch the golden moments of the season into a lifetime of bright oranges, glorious yellows, and fiery reds. I want to bask eternally in the warm indoors in the evenings, let the logs that burn and smolder in fireplaces heat the room at night – find my comfort in the cinnamon smell of the season.

There is no season I love more.

My mind unfurls into long expanses of imagination. I pull that Autumn world of deep blue and purple twilights, skies dotted with stars, lamplight from windows pouring onto the lawn strewn with browning, dying leaves – I pull this world around myself like an impossibly soft cashmere throw.

Nothing more fantastic than this city’s nighttime grid.

My mental wanderings of the morning – of my make-believe life in Chicago, temporarily subsided to my passion for the season. On the way to O’Hare this morning while passing neighborhoods, a park, and businesses, I built a fantasy life for myself. I watched as the orange sun broke above the treetops and made the whole world glow…

My morning walks would stretch only a mile or so. They’d be a nice, casual pace. Darby would walk along side me enjoying the leisurely pace. When I returned home, it would be to a house full of orange morning light and warmth. Justin would be just waking up – laying in bed with the babies (Ruby and Eve). I’d unleash Darby who’d be excited to be at home and see Justin just getting out of bed. He’d want to nuzzle up to him and get an acknowledging pat. Justin and I would go about making breakfast. Definitely orange juice to match the glorious glow of the morning. Maybe I’d bake scones or muffins. We’d relax into our cozy den, looking out into our yard filled with dew. We’d catch up on dreams from the previous night’s rest, or dreams on a larger scale.

I hope (I feel) that Chicago is in my future.

After seeing them off, we made our way to Rouge Bistro for brunch. This is the second Sunday in a row we’ve gone there. I really liked it the first time. I liked it this time too, but Justin was not as relaxed as last week. After eating, we wandered around and wound up watching The Brave One. It was entertaining. It wasn’t an excellent movie, but there were some neat twists to it. We got home about 2 hours ago and let the puppies play in the backyard, put together our new fire pit (on sale from $50 to $10!) and then Justin watered the lawn. We already have some beautiful bright green blades of grass randomly sprouting up!

We just gave the puppies a bath. Justin is watching TV. We are going to plan our week-long vacation tonight. I am really, really looking forward to a week worth of relaxation, hiking, and sightseeing. I’ve heard of the glorious, vibrant fall foliage of the northeast, and this year I am actually going to see it!