It’s finally Friday, and I’m glad to see the week winding down. My schedule has been a little unusual these past few days. Normally, I work from home on Fridays, but this week’s oddities had me doing that yesterday instead. I only put in a half day yesterday, and today will be another half day for me since I have an appointment this afternoon up near Burlington. While I’m in the area, I may take the opportunity to do a little shopping—something I don’t often get the chance to do outside of errands.

Of course, the other reason for my adjusted schedule is that I’ll be working tomorrow. The museum is rarely open on Saturdays except for special occasions, but this weekend happens to be one of those times. That means I’ll be in today and tomorrow, but I’ll be the only staff member on duty. I’ll still have visitors coming through, which keeps things lively, but otherwise, the museum will be quiet and mine to manage alone. Honestly, that’s how I prefer it these days—peaceful, focused, and with time to make sure everything runs smoothly without distractions.

So while others may be easing into their weekend, I’ll still be in work mode a little longer. But I’ll also find small ways to enjoy it—a bit of shopping in Burlington, a quiet afternoon to myself, and the satisfaction of guiding the museum solo for a couple of days.

Wherever your weekend takes you—whether it’s filled with plans, completely restful, or somewhere in between—I hope it brings you a little peace and a lot of joy. Have a wonderful weekend, my friends!

It’s Monday again—the start of another week. Hard to believe we’re already at the end of September and about to turn the calendar over to October. Here in Vermont, the seasons are shifting quickly, but with the drought this year, the leaves have already reached their peak. Before long, the trees will be bare, and autumn will give way to the starkness of early winter.

Today will be a busy one for me. I have tours scheduled through much of the day, including one I’ll be giving for some visiting family from Alabama. Later on, I’ll also be leading a special tour for a class, which should be a nice change of pace. Beyond that, it looks like a fairly regular week ahead—but of course, saying that and it actually being so are two very different things. Life has a way of throwing in surprises just when we least expect them.

As the last days of September slip away, I’m reminded of how quickly the seasons turn. One moment the trees are aflame with color, and the next, their branches are bare against the sky. Time seems to move the same way—quietly, steadily, and all too fast. Here’s to making the most of these fleeting days as we step into October. I’ll do my best to take this week as it comes, and I hope each of you has a good week ahead as well.

The falling leaves drift by my window
The autumn leaves of red and gold
I see your lips, the summer kisses
The sun-burned hands I used to hold

I’ve always loved this song. I think I first heard it on the Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil soundtrack, which features only Johnny Mercer songs, since his house in Savannah is pivotal to the story. That soundtrack is still one of my favorites, and Mercer’s music never fails to strike a chord with me.

Today is the first day of autumn. Vermont is one of the most beautiful and scenic places in the world this time of year. People from all over the globe make their way here just to see the “autumn leaves of red and gold.” This year, though, they might be a little disappointed if they’ve visited before. With the drought Vermont and much of New England has faced, the colors aren’t quite as vibrant as they usually are. Still, if you’ve never seen Vermont in “leafing” season, it’s breathtaking. And truth be told, those postcards and pictures—like the classic images of Stowe—are often enhanced to make them more vibrant than what nature actually gives us. In reality, it’s more like the softer, subtler version you’ll see in the second picture of Stowe below.

No matter what, autumn in Vermont is a season worth savoring. I hope everyone has a wonderful week and a scenic fall. And like Mercer’s lyrics remind us, each season carries its own beauty and its own memories—some bright, some bittersweet, but all worth holding close.

It’s finally Friday, and I couldn’t be more thankful. Not only is it the end of the week, but it’s also my work from home day. That makes such a difference. No commute, no rushing out the door, no bracing myself for whatever mood my boss might be in. Instead, I can ease into the day with a little less stress, work from the comfort of home, and hopefully keep my migraine at bay. After the week I’ve had, that feels like a blessing.

I always look forward to Fridays, but this one feels especially good because I know what’s coming up next week. The first half should 🤞be relatively calm—Monday is shaping up to be quiet, and Tuesday I’m off. But Wednesday brings my MRI for my back, which I’m both anxious about and ready to get over with. Then the second half of the week kicks into high gear. Thursday through Saturday I’ll be working and participating in events for the museum. It’s going to be a lot to juggle, and I already know it’s going to take a lot out of me.

That’s why today feels even more important. I need this chance to breathe, to regroup, and to prepare myself for what’s ahead. Fridays at home are a reminder that little breaks like this can make a world of difference when life gets hectic. I’ll take the peace while I can get it.

I hope everyone has a great Friday and an even better weekend.

* Thank God It’s Work From Home Friday 

I almost forgot my Isabella Pic of the Week. I took this right after I wrote today’s post. She will likely be this way for at least 2-3 hours before she stretches, rotates a quarter turn, and goes back to sleep.

It’s Monday, and I hate Mondays. I don’t think I’m alone in that, but it feels especially true for me today. Mondays always seem to hit harder when the schedule is stacked from start to finish, and this one is shaping up to be particularly exhausting. I’ve got classes to teach all morning and paperwork waiting for me all afternoon, which doesn’t leave much room to catch my breath.

To top it off, I woke up queasy, and the migraine that’s been dogging me for nearly a week is still hanging on. This kind of lingering migraine always seems to show up when I’m a week or two out from my next round of Botox injections. Sure enough, my next appointment is on Wednesday, and I’m counting down the days until I get some relief. Until then, it’s a matter of managing the pain as best I can and pushing through.

So yes, I’m not exactly starting this week at my best, but here we are—it’s Monday, whether I like it or not. Hopefully once I get through the busyness of today, the rest of the week will feel a little lighter.

I hope everyone else had a good weekend and that you’re off to a much better start to the week than I am. Here’s to surviving Monday together.