Onions have layers

Like ogres. Like marriages.

The onset of the season has come full force. I can relax into October –autumn– and feel the contentment I always feel this time of year. P-daddy is coming around, despite the weather change tossing him into a cycle of despair. I called his bluff about being miserable and wanting to move. I found a job for him in Chattanooga– same pay, same title– that is so interested in him that they emailed and called within hours of receiving an email resume. Chattanooga is on my very short list of acceptable places to move, so I was willing to call this out. He was taken aback and said, “No I think I am staying where I am for now.” Well good, then. Your family loves it here.

October is also G’s favorite month, but for a very different reason: Halloween. Living here has made it even more cool because of our town and because of our neighborhood. The town we live in has a downtown waterfront and the merchants all open their doors to trick or treaters. It’s like a scene from that movie childhood I never had, where it’s still light out and the little kids are swarming the streets, Moms in tow. Of course, in our real life, the Moms are toting umbrellas and sipping coffee, which is even better. Furthermore, there is usually a tall ship docked with a crew dressed as pirates, handing out gold coins, argh. It rocks.

Our own neighborhood is dark dark dark, but the people are mostly older. They genuinely love it when the little kids come through and give out the GOOD stuff. It’s a lot of welcoming fun. Our personal traditions about Halloween, begun out of necessity, have served us well as the kids have grown. The Great Pumpkin who takes their offering of collected candy delivers a gift in return, usually sneaking in while they are taking their after-TOT bath. He makes lots of noise and flashes the lights. It’s somewhat frightening if you ask me.

Having said all that, the amazing this is this: G is not excited right now that it’s Halloween month. She is beside herself, checking the calendar every day, already packed and tingling, because Camp Seymour’s overnight is coming. I can’t tell you how happy that makes me!

Speaking of happy, our church had the Blessing of the Animals last night, and G sang in the children’s choir while holding her hermit crab. So cute. Following, P-daddy took the kids home and I stayed for my best rehearsal YET in this state. Vivaldi! Luther! Hal! Oh yes! That SOUND that choirs make when it’s right– that SOUND that embodies worship of the great spirit for me– that is what I have been missing. It draws me, addicts me, it humbles me and makes me feel grateful to be able to participate. It was a very good day.

She liked it!

I thought she might. I’d go so far as to say I knew she would, but that would be a lie. Girlie can surprise me, for sure. Her choir starts first, then they break and the adult choir comes in.

I am considering having Dad come pick her up after her rehearsal though, because that is just too long for her to be there, I think. She was pretty haggard by the time my choir rehearsal was over. She did rally at the last song the adults learned, however, and came up and sat next to me. She clapped in rhythm to the Jamaican inspired music and I didn’t know until the end that this is a piece the kiddies are doing as well. Fun!

I finished the kids’ learning plans for the homeschool year last night. I didn’t want to just bang it out and I took the time she was in choir to finish it at a desk in the lobby. Under fine arts, I included a passage about experiencing and participating in the arts in the community at large, not restricted to being with other children. It’s funny to me; I didn’t expect her to do it an hour later.

Lunch on Wednesday was an impromptu trip to IKEA where we met the C-family and the Dafeelyas. Every time I swear I won’t go back en masse, and yet still I go back, every time. Must be something about it we like!