Lunch on my Patio

The weather is changing here — it is the first day of fall. And I want to take full advantage of this season. It is my favorite time of year. When we first moved into this house a year ago, we did not have a patio, only a deck. And I wanted a patio. I wanted a place where my dog could romp and play and where I could sit and have lunch or coffee. The deck, in my mind, was for bar-b-queuing and eating dinner. Why? I don't know. It's just how my brain divided the spaces.

I contacted a landscaper, and within a few weeks, phase 1 of my new patio was done. It was just the right size and stair-stepped all the way down to the doors of our walkout basement. He came back a few months later, completed phase 2, and all was well in my world. I now have an upper and lower patio. The upper is to be used for coffee and lunch, the lower is to be used for our new fire pit and making s'mores. Perfect, a place for every venue.

I had lunch on my upper patio yesterday. The leaves were gently blowing; it was about 60 degrees, a little cloudy, a little sunny. I read my book and daydreamed a bit too. I also prayed. I was feeling a little lonely — missing my family. I'm sorry that I seem to write about that all the time. However, it is important for me to be real in my writing — so yes, when I miss them, I will write about it. All in all, though, it was an awesome time out there on my little patio.

I also began thinking about the container gardening project I was going to attempt in the spring. My husband bought me a great book on growing vegetables in pots. I grew lettuce and cherry tomatoes this year. They were a big hit with the raccoons. I'll have to work on that problem later. For now, though, I want to just sit and enjoy my patio.

Today I'll take my Kindle, my laptop, my newest magazine, my lunch, and my dog, and I'll sit out on my upper patio listening to the river and the sounds of fall.  I'll take memory snapshots of the leaves so that I can remember when they changed colors. I'll breathe deeply, as I'm sure someone near will have made a fire. I love the smell of fireplaces. I'll watch the squirrels throw acorns at my dog while chattering away. And then I'll close my eyes and turn my face to the sun and even pray a little. I'll want to be sure to thank God for this moment in time — I am content. It is sweet out here--having lunch on my patio.