October was a good month. Not the shout-out, I-won-the-lottery kind, but the small, ordinary ways that offer hope: day trips, discovering a new bookstore, and the quiet joy of capturing autumn fog. In this post, I’m sharing those moments of gratitude, along with some reflections on faith, the struggle of being a creative in the age of AI, and the simple satisfaction of a good bargain.
Farmer Joe and I visited rural farmers’ markets and feasted on the tastiest tomatoes, sweet melons, crisp produce, and baked goods. I even came home with a bouquet. The season is closed now. I’ll miss the fresh, local produce, but I’m already looking forward to next year’s harvest.
We discovered a new Barnes & Noble in a nearby small town. The moment we stepped through the door, the fresh paint, everything-new feel, and wide-open space told us, “This is going to be good.” And it was! There were thousands of books to choose from. And choose, we did!
We had our first rain and fog in October. The rain confirmed the change of seasons and lifted spirits as it moistened the thirsty earth. I made soup from whatever I had on hand: potatoes, sausage, and veggies. My attempt wasn’t great, but it fit the mood and warmed our bones.
I live where fog can be dangerously thick. It takes grit (and sometimes folly) to drive in it. But a light, hovering fog is a photographer’s favorite atmosphere, and that’s what our first autumn fog brought. Capturing mysterious mist in nature is how I beat depression on gray days. How do you handle gray weather days?
Not every moment of October was light. I also struggled with the fear of generative AI, and corporate social media owners scraping the hard work of creatives like me. This isn’t new, but the greed has grown massive and become harder to foil. It takes grit and faith to push back against the worry and fear. I’m not a champion overcomer of either, but I do believe God sees and cares about our struggles. So, that is where I go first. He is the best hope life offers.
Flowers make my heart sing, so I visited a local nursery and passed on the $15.00 color bowls. Instead, I purchased four discounted potted pansies at $2.00 each. Now I have color bowls just as lovely for a fraction of the price. Are you a bargain hunter?
What I’m Reading: I’m a slow reader, and I’m okay with that, especially with a book like this one. The main character’s desire to save a child runs deep. I’m not quite halfway through yet, but it seems determination and hope will be the keys to her success.
What I’m Writing: I’m editing Book 2 of Meadowville’s Lanterns of Joy and Hope. My process is to edit two chapters, then send them off for critique. I do the same in return. We’re moving along quickly, and I’m excited about both my story and the one I’m critiquing. I can’t wait to share more.
Never forget—rain or shine, our hopes and dreams always reach God’s love and faithfulness.
