Reluctantly Crouched at the Starting Line

I have reluctantly been forced to acknowledge the waning of Summer. Dusk is settling earlier each day, and this morning when Bosco and I stepped out for our morning jog there was barely light in the sky and I wished I had long sleeves on. Of course, by the time we looped back around to the driveway the sun was up and the chill had vanished, but it's only a matter of weeks before I will need to find a way to motivate myself out of bed in total darkness.

Generally the first signs of fall thrill me, but this summer has been such an intense time of transition that I am not quite ready to let it go. It has been the beginning of a new stage in my life that I want to honor. I think I am also reticent because the end of my first quarter means that this business is going to start ramping-up for real, and the quiet-strategic-planning time I have thus far invested will need to morph into put-everything-on-the-line time networking and promoting my services.

Out of all of the exciting aspects of starting out on my own, I have been the most nervous at the prospect of accepting full responsibility for sales. I have never had a gift for talking people into things - I have always been more of a listener. The challenge from here on will be to leverage everything I gather listening to potential clients and build strong professional relationships. I need to remember that ultimately my goal is to provide services that support their goals, and I am not trying to "sell" them anything that does not add value to their organization.

Perhaps we will have an extended autumn season this year, and I can make myself take time to relish this beautiful place in which we live while I slowly ease into the pressure of business development.

Autumn Leaves of Red & Gold

This week I have been reveling in the magic that October brings - and we actually have leaves of our own to enjoy this year! The grove of aspens in the back yard has turned a brilliant gold, and there is an ash peering over the neighbor's fence that is blowing bold red leaves over into our yard. Give me a few weeks and I will probably be resentful for having to rake them all up, but for today the sky is a perfect shade of blue, the grass is still green, the leaves are scattering jewel tones around the yard, and I am in awe of this jarringly beautiful shift nature is sharing with us.

A Time to Plant and a Time to Harvest

It came earlier this year than it has in a while. Today is one of my favorite days of the year, and simultaneously one of my least favorite. The First Snow! I like seasons, and I love changing seasons. The past few weeks have been lovely here in Colorado, but I am not lamenting the coming winter cold as much as I could. I love snow, and the magic that comes with the shimmering crystals and cold air. And it is the season for Halloween decorations, which have a much spookier impact on a dark, cold, stormy night. However, it means consciously pulling the plug on my vegetables and flowers. Acknowledging the end of the colorful fruit and leaves, and laying to rest the plants I have been sustaining every day for the past several months. When my alarm went off this morning, there was barely light in the sky. Looking out onto the patio, there was a dusting of white on the grill and the fence. I did not need the snooze button! I bundled up and went out to brush off the plants, trying to decide how quickly they needed to be moved into the garage. Today should be in the 40's, but tonight and through the weekend are forecast to be icky and freezing. I decided not to waste any time fretting about it(for once), and bite the bullet. I moved most of my potted plants from the patio around into the garage, except for the flower planters which I snuggled up next to the front door. Hopefully the dose of sunshine every morning will keep them happy for a little while longer. We still have beautiful ripening cherry tomatoes - the plant is still producing flowers! The peppers are in an odd state of green to red transition, and I have been coaxing the tomatillos so gently all summer that I am not convinced any of the husks really have anything substantial in them. The basil will be laid out to dry this weekend, and the herbs will hunker down for the winter. We will harvest the beets and use the greens in a comforting concoction this weekend, but the okra and chard might have to be sacrificed. To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.