How Quickly I Forget

It’s been almost two years since I moved from Cincinnati, Ohio, with a population of over 2 million, to small-town Manchester, Iowa, with a little over 5,000 residents. I went from a major East Coast city (in my mind) to a farm community in Iowa (again, in my mind), and I am still adjusting.

The other night, I was trying to sleep and the number of trains traveling through town was irritating me. These beasts are required to blow their horn at every intersection. Since I live in the heart of this little city less than 4 blocks from the tracks, those train whistles are a near-constant interruption. I believe that when they reach the city limits, they just set those things to split the night every few seconds. And, let me point out that the ‘whistle’ description is a far cry from the shrieking air horns used today. Did I say 4 blocks? I think that under the cover of darkness, someone moves those tracks into my driveway every night.

Headwinds

The commitment was made, and I am willing to say that it is now habitual. Some say that habits take 21 days to form. I have always questioned that statement based on my own experience. But it’s now been 58 days, and I would miss my daily walk so I think I can safely call this a habit. 

The weather has been very cooperative for this quest. I am grateful. But, if you’ve noticed, the seasons are changing, and fall is giving way to those darkest of days, winter. Arrival is imminent.

Level Up

A 'gulp' moment is today's cornerstone. It's about those convicting, heart-skips-a-beat seconds that make those embarrassing little beads of water show up on your forehead. It's the guilt of knowing, "I could do better."

Those interventions normally sneak up while covered in the skin of reminders. You already know you've let things slide and started living without paying attention. It wasn't on purpose - it's just well, you know, life. Perhaps it's more than that. It could be an unwelcome adjustment of a once-accepted normality.

Are you curious? You are no doubt smarter than this writer and have decided to stop reading so that no interrupter of conscience gets in your way today. I completely understand - see you next week.

For the rest of us, here's the baseline. It's called the Golden Rule. It was probably something you learned in kindergarten.

Missing Fall Colors

Am I yet too early?

It's been years since I remember being wowed by the season of exuberant and lively splashes of red, orange, yellow, green, and brown.

Living in Ohio, I could never find that elusive 'peak'. I rationalized that my mistake was my inability to figure out the timing because I was unfamiliar with this part of the country. But I'm now in Iowa wondering why everything changes from green to brown, sans any inspiring color. The sidewalks are full of dry leaves. I found a couple of examples of the condition of these sidewalk leaves, but when seeking treetops, the only words coming to mind say, "Nothing to see here, folks." 

But the other day, I found one! I stopped in my tracks and took a photo because - I had to!