I am sitting here on this Tuesday and wondering where did the time go this year. When will 2020 end?
Halloween is approaching at break neck speed but it doesn’t feel the same as in years past. I didn’t even carve a cool scary pumpkin this year as the year seemed scary enough.
The days go by slowly and it seems even the canal dredging is inching along.
The things that keep me going are the things that will get us all through the winter.
A nice remote walk in the forest.
A friend who thought of me recently by having her flight attendant friend purchase Libby’s Canned Pumpkin on an overnight in Los Angeles last week. You are just awesome!
A zoom chat with friends and family.
My gardening.
There are hobbies that need my attention this winter too. Mittens and socks to knit, a blanket to finish.
That pile of books I will now have time to read. A book about Tree Rings is at the top of my list, a special gift from the Hubby to his tree hugging partner.
Time will tic tock along and even if the world seems scarier than normal we will find a way together to get into the New Year.
Stay healthy, happy and safe in the coming weeks and months.
© The Cedar Journal, 2020, all rights reserved.
The Cedar Journal 
Paula, it sounds like you’ve found your ways and places to find peace during these difficult times. Thank you for sharing these with us, pumpkin included. Stay well, my friend.
And just for you, a Minnesota weather report: We are expecting our first measurable snowfall, perhaps four inches here in southern Minnesota with more to the north and west. As I type, snow falls. And, yes, this is incredibly early.
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😊 snow ❄️! It might be early for Southern MN… where I grew up we had many Halloween’s going door to door in the snow.
Thanks for the other comments as well. Doesn’t seem productive to be upset all the time. Keeping busy is a better approach, at least for me.
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We sometimes had snow in Connecticut to go trick-or-treating in. And we usually have snow by now in Vermont – but it doesn’t stick around until more like Thanksgiving.
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Glad you’re finding what you need to get through this winter, which we all know is going to be tough. But we can do it. I love that you’ve acquired a can of pumpkin! The snow is here – falling as I type this. We’re expecting several inches today, but I don’t imagine it’ll stay. Too early, although I do remember taking my son trick-or-treating in the famous Minnesota Halloween blizzard of ’91. I’m ready to turn my thoughts to baking and writing, reading and turning inward. I feel this way every year as autumn wanes, winter nudges its way in, and we pull out our sweaters. This year, it feels particularly poignant and, in some ways, just the forced quiet we might need – a way to shut the door on all the shouting and hope the election helps turn things around. Fingers crossed.
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😊🙏🤞
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That reminds me when I went to the National history museum how many horse and carts, cows were fished out of the canal.
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I am taking a picture of it today. It will make a perfect Wordless Wednesday.
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I had no idea they actually dredged those canals – and an interesting machine – something new every post! I did chuckle to myself regarding the can of Libby’s pumpkin. Those pumpkins are grown right near my home – I see the trucks full of those special Dickinson pumpkins driving passed our main county roads headed to Morton (about 30 minutes away from us). This article gives some of the background (https://medium.com/nestle-usa/the-little-known-history-of-libbys-pumpkin-26a984edf036), although not correct in stating they are only grown in Morton as they are are also raised around us (Princeville/Brimfield IL). Every fall the harvesting machines move the pumpkins into rows and then they are loaded into the transports by the migrant workers – make their way into the open bed semis and driven to Morton for processing for the world to enjoy. This year the Morton pumpkin festival was cut back due to Covid, but usually they have a big pumpkin themed festival – you name the food, they add pumpkin to it. (https://www.mortonchamber.org/) – Small world!
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Wow interesting! I had actually gotten the link to that article about the history from my Dutch friend who purchased the Libby’s for me. As I never really knew (only used Libby’s for everything fall/Thanksgiving wise) the history I found it interesting. I love using pumpkin and fall wouldn’t be fall without them. They are used here mostly for soup. I find that sad and introduced my co volunteers to pumpkin bread.
Thanks for your personal insight into a true American institution Libby’s. Now I know there are two famous things from that area.😊
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Yep, Libby’s and Dan Folgelberg!
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Funny! But, I am thinking Carol King.😂
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Seeing your can of pumpkin made me smile. When my daughter first moved to Germany, that was one thing I HAD to send to her because she couldn’t find it anywhere. Now, she finds it at a large grocery in nearby Holland. This winter may be more difficult than some, but hopefully by the time spring arrives we can celebrate…and HUG again!
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Funny, the things we all miss when we move outside the country. I have never found Libby’s in any grocery here in The Netherlands but I do know close to Germany there are a large number of Americans due to military so maybe that store saw an opportunity.🤔 Hugs would be nice again…
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It seems that you have found good ways to pass the days until this awful pandemic is over. I think we all just need to do what keeps us sane right now, and try to enjoy the extra time we should have. Take care!
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You are right, just do the things that keep you sane and healthy.
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