I renewed this domain today, so I assume that means I think I’m going to keep blogging. Or something.

Also, the people at Smile Politely, our local arts/culture/etc online rag, let me have a column, which means I now have to come up with material every two weeks… which means I should be able to come up withn something for the blog once in awhile, too. Right? I mean, isn’t that what writers, even occasional ones, do? Write stuff?

Well, they also read, apparently. I really enjoyed this open letter to Michael Pollan, and I’m reading A Pig in Provence, recently suggested to me by Femme. For someone who doesn’t know me, she certainly GETS me.

I had a great time at Prairie Fruits Farm on Sunday, eating food and convivializing (not a word, but you get me, right?) with friends. Evidence can be seen here.

Fonts by Chank, design by Slanky.

Locals! Market at the Scare is tomorrow, from 9-12 at Lincoln Square Village! Costumes are encouraged for all! Candy and cider while supplies last! Photos! Hijinks!

It’s a typical midwestern fall day - cool, sunny, the breathtakingly blue sky a perfect backdrop for the just-coming-on fall color - and this eases my Monday state of mind (despite the fact that it’s, well, Tuesday, and cold/wet weather is on the way). I’m walking to the bank, buoyed by the excellent weather and thinking, offhandedly, about lunch, when across my path mince two young “professionals”, - the kind of women that wear their office clothes a size too small and their shoes with pointy, pointy toes - one of them talking loudly about a new thrift store in town that is run by and benefits a popular local charity.

Mincy Young “Professional”: Well, I mean, you know, I have stuff to donate and they’re all, “We can’t take donations except at certain times?” What the f*ck is that about?.

[I’m finding myself about to agree with her, at least in principle (mainly because I hate showing up at the thrift with donations only to find them closed or unable to accept donations), though I find the eff word unnecessary, especially at such volume (lo, I am old now, it’s obvious), AND I’ve worked for an organization accepting food donations before and understand how difficult it can be when one is short-staffed and overwhelmed, so I end up being on the fence, when she continues:].

MY”P”: … I mean, I’m gonna donate my stuff when I donate it, and they’re going to LIKE it. Those people are going to take what they get..

Click-clack, click-clack, went their heels as they went off to lunch somewhere, and I recalled being reminded somewhere that “those people” is the plural form of “that one”.

Hm.

[Tomato, tomahto, potato, potahto. Taken at the Market this weekend. I think these belong to Tomahnous Farm in Mahomet.]

O, suitable for framing, these Monday mornings after Jim and the kids exit the house! No matter what the weather does outside, the tableau is usually the same within: radio tuned to NPR, coffee cup, small window, cats brawling, the house needing attention, lists being made. This work schedule (the Tuesday - Saturday thing I’ve been enjoying since May) will be over soon until May 2009 and will thus require adjusting of both schedule and attitude; this adjustment will likely make me feel delicate, cranky, and totally freaking inside-out for awhile. Because, you know, I’m not ready to give up Saturday mornings outside (even with the 4:30 AM rise and shine) and Monday mornings at home. I love my job, but re-entry into an office environment - even a positive one - after spending Saturdays outside and then having Sunday and Monday “free”? Sigh. /whine

Found thrifting: 2 pairs of jeans for Lilly (one Levis, one Forever 21), and three pairs of pants for me. One pair was an ill-advised impulse jeans buy, one pair is OK but the only thing I like about them is the length, as it turns out, and pair the third is a great pair of mens’ J Crew slouchy chinos in gray that was worth the other two mistakes. I still came in under 20 bucks total, so it’s all good.

I turned 40 while I was away from the blog.

Looks like posting will remain sporadic, but I just wanted to stop in and say HEJ.