Gathering the Moments | October 2026

Did you think that I had disappeared? My last post was an "overdue chat," and now I feel like a chat is even more overdue. But here I am with my October moments. (Who knows if I will ever post the other months' moments that I have gathered but not quite completed?) 

October was full of comings and goings this year! 

We began the month with a trip to my sister's place. She was out of town and needed someone to feed her elderly cat a couple of times during the day. Ron and I were happy to help, and spent the hours in between antiquing and eating good food. 

 🩶 Frank 🩶

We brought home this antique basket!

Black-and-blue burger and sweet potato fries. Yum!

One group of grands came to visit another group of grands. (Aunt Bekah was invited too.) I love that they love to get together! 

This little grand had a rough month! She broke her foot, and then she and her brother both got hand-foot-and-mouth disease. 

And this grand is now an adult! (What?!)

On another weekend, Ron and I went to visit our son and his family. It was a short trip, and Tropical Storm Isaias, although miles away, brought us some wind and rain. But we spent some happy hours together, talking, playing games, eating delicious meals. The little girls, both learning to read, were excited to read a book to me. (Of course, I loved that!) We saw the beginnings of fall foliage, drank their home-roasted coffee, and visited a couple of coffee shops.  It was a wonderful weekend! 

Bekah and I went to the theater to see Gone with the Wind. Although I have seen this movie many times, it was a  thrill to watch it on the big screen! 

In October, Ron painted the Chippendale rails that he had built during the summer. Now the back entrance coordinates with the front entrance. 

On another October weekend, we were invited to the home of Ron's sister and brother-in-law. A CeLeBRaTioN was in order because their home had been completely destroyed by a house fire in February and they had just moved into their brand new home! We rejoiced with them over God's protection, His provisions, and new beginnings!

Another celebration: a short trip to celebrate our 48 years of marriage. Our anniversary was in August, but August was full of family and visits and so many birthdays, so we waited. We actually prefer an autumn trip to one in the (hot, humid) summer anyway. 

The weather was perfection, and the fall foliage, while not at peak, was gorgeous and thrilled my autumn-heart!

After a yummy brunch at a favorite coffee shop . . .

. . . we took a stroll down a street that is filled with historic houses, many of them beautifully decorated for fall. ~ swoon ~ 

We brought this wreath home from our trip. Here it is on our own back door.

On yet another October weekend, there was Cousins Camp! Ryan and Sarah have organized Cousins Camp since 2016, and it is still a highlight for these "kids," many of whom are now young adults. Bekah is included, even though she is an aunt, not a cousin, and Ron and I usually spend Saturday (but not overnight) with them. 

At the end of the month, I gathered with a couple of friends to have dinner and make a craft. It was my turn to host and I only remembered to take one photo which turned out blurry. Sigh. It was such a fun night though, a lovely farewell to October. 

Good times! So many blessings! 

And yet, there are struggles and life continues to be complicated. There are big changes ahead for some of us. (Those don't make for beautiful blog photos, but they are no less real.)  But our God is faithful! As our Good Shepherd, He guides us through these rugged paths . . . one day at a time. And in the midst of even the hardest days, there are lovely moments: beautiful gifts from His hand.