Where to start? A lot of this fall was taken up with adapting a large class to strictly online format. That’s over, but I’ve got to do it again for another class in January.
Anxiety about the elections, and now the insane aftermath of the elections, has occupied a lot of mental space for me and everyone I know. If n politics this year were a satire, it would be too far-fetched to work effectively. I just hope we can get through the next month without a major crisis of some kind.
Apparently the covid epidemic has greatly increased online shopping, because we’ve had unprecedented numbers of orders for both orchid plants and perfumes. I ran out of boxes for the 100 ml size bottles, and it took over a month for the new batch of boxes to arrive, so shipping of many orders was delayed and I’m still dealing with the backlog. We are running out of small sample vials, and can’t get the usual ones because they’re all being used for covid vaccine.
The solstice is over, so the days will at least start getting longer, if not warmer. Crocuses and daffodils are starting to come up, and the hellebores are in bud. On Monday we had torrential rain, then on Tuesday it snowed. The Pacific Northwest is the only place I know of where it can snow – and the snow can stick – when the temperature is well above freezing. On Wednesday I finally had to bring inside all of the orchids, tender succulents, and other tropical plants that had been having such a good time outside. Today I’m planting the last of the bulbs that I ordered when they were on sale, hoping that the squirrels and moles don’t eat them all.
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My Fall has been rather quiet, without the family get-togethers I've usually had at this time of year. Instead I've been catching up on reading, doing some writing with a new fountain pen, and just enjoying the rainy weather with long walks during sun breaks; watching the season slowly passing by.
ReplyDeleteKathleen, Your fall sounds nice! You're in the drawing.
DeleteThank you Ellen. It was nice but also lonely. I can't wait for things to settle down and be able to visit with my family members again, especially my elderly Mom. As Fernando mentioned, fragrances do help! I have your Blackbird and had just ordered Olympic Rainforest, having grown up in Mason County WA (although I no longer live there) your fragrances remind me of my childhood home :)
DeleteFall was so rough. I work in a mental health facility, with kids who have serious behavioral and emotional problems. They are struggling with dealing with 9 months of lockdown,and in giving my all to try to support them the best I can, have found myself completely depleted. Fall is usually my favorite time of year-I love the crisp air, trees turning colors, Halloween, and the relief from summer's heat. I don't feel like I had the attention/took the time to notice any of it. So I'm pretty bummed now, and looking forward to 2021 bringing some change.
ReplyDeleteCraftily, That does indeed sound rough, but I'm sure the kids benefit more than you know. Here's to a better 2021 for all! You're in the drawing.
DeleteWe live in the Bay Area, but I grew up in NY. So it simultaneously feels as if it is always and never Fall here. That is, we have 50-70 degree temps year-round, but we don't seem to get the crisp Fall air, and on the occasions that I come across a scant pile of sidewalk leaves, I will soft-shoe through them and recount it later as a highlight of the day. I should note that you sent me some perfume before so I want to be sure that others get a chance, but I still wanted to share my thoughts with you all. I work to oversee federally insured residential care facilities, so as you can imagine, Covid has made this year very challenging. Suffice to say, I appreciate any opportunity to safely connect. All the best - Julie
ReplyDeleteJulie, Thank you for contributing to the discussion. In Seattle we have about 5 months of fall, 5 months of spring, and maybe one month each of winter and summer. The seasons are basically dark vs light and wet vs dry. It sounds like you have had a very challenging year, and wish you a better time in 2021!
DeleteMy fall was unlike previous years, trying to be safe but always enjoying the company of my perfumes!
ReplyDeleteFernando, I think perfumes are one of the things that helps everyone get through the lockdown times. You're in the drawing.
DeleteI am an expat living in the Middle East, so i do enjoy the cooldown that happens every year. We have 3 - 4 months of cooldown here and the cactus enjoys it too. However this year it got a bit colder so i had to pit him inside. The last piece of art i ordered from you is nightflyer and i treasure it a lot. I do have a US adress, just in case i get lucky.:) Stay safe and keep producing art.
ReplyDeleteDimi, Life in the Middle East sounds interesting! Best wishes for 2021. You're in the drawing.
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DeleteOh yes it is interesting. There are negative things also. Heat, injustice, discrimination on all bases... but slowly its getting better. Thank you for the opportunity.
DeleteI am lucky to live in San Diego where I can still be outside and trying to stay healthy. My fall experience has been an anxious one like you, Ellen, government, elections, and after election craziness. I am writing this on christmas and hoping there will be peace for everyone who has experienced this illness and happiness for a new government leader to arrive before everyone who was corrupt will be pardoned.
ReplyDeleteI have been enjoying perfumes for mood elevators especially your "Love" and Kingston Ferry! Please stay well and Happy Holidays!!
Audrey, I hope karma will catch up with all of the corrupt ones, "pardons" notwithstanding. This includes the pardoner. I'm also anxiously awaiting the arrival of a new government. Perfumes help take our minds off some of the worst of what is happening, even as we maintain focus to try to do what we can to make it better. You're in the drawing.
DeleteFall was challenging but luckily on Christmas everything calmed down for a while. Can't wait for 2021 and its opportunities!
ReplyDeleteJulietti, I hope things will calm down here in January! Best wishes for 2021! You're in the drawing.
DeleteMy fall has been kind of similar. It has been a very crazy year! I have spent a lot of time adapting to doing everything at home. Fall weather was thankfully mild and pleasant this time around, and so far looking good for winter chills too. I got to enjoy walking my neighborhood, since I have to be home anyways. Things will get better!
ReplyDeleteCat, Walking around the neighborhood is fun. More people are doing it here, now. You're in the drawing.
DeleteThanks!
DeleteIt is nice to see more people being active and healthy, if only from a distance.
Hi Ellen! I brought inside my orchids too last week, hopefully they are adjusting well in the big window sill...Thank you for the opportunity to enter the draw, I love your perfumes! Laura
ReplyDeleteLaura, I think the orchids will appreciate being on the windowsill for a while until it warms up again. I know that as soon as the days start getting longer, all of my plants start growing like mad. You're in the drawing.
DeleteHi Ellen! My BF & I finally got back to work this fall, after months of shut down (safely, with strict protocols in place). The time off during shut down was a period of growth, self- reflection, work on self and change for me. Many extra difficulties that I was forced to go through made me have to face certain things in my psyche. I feel like a Phoenix; the burning through all these hardships have changed me tremendously, and certainly changed my work life for the better. Things that I struggled with in the past became minor, and love, appreciation and gratitude for my boss and coworkers took the place of resentment, struggle and difficulties. A new confidence took root. I am tremendously grateful for this change that allowed me to release some of my past trauma and grow to appreciate these beings that I work with. It’s the greatest blessing.
ReplyDeleteSorry, I thought I’d signed my name to my post. It’s Katie.
ReplyDeleteArchivia-Katie, Wow! It sounds like you really went through a phoenix-like transformation during the past months. I hope its going to be that productive for many other people. You're in the drawing.
ReplyDeleteI had my second fall in Michigan. It doesn't quite have the same magic for me as fall in Seattle (where I spent most of my life), but I am starting to be able to appreciate it for what it is.
ReplyDeleteThe best part of my fall this year was that a series of events led me deep into the wondrous rabbit hole of fragrances. It's been so much fun exploring and seeing what is possible within this medium.
P.S. I should be receiving my first order from Olympic Orchids in a couple days, so excited to try everything out!
Rob, I hope your order has arrived, or will arrive soon. Fragrances are a rabbit hole, but definitely an enjoyable one! You're in the drawing.
ReplyDeleteMy fall sounds similar to yours. Lots of anxiety inducing events and it doesn’t seem like that’s going to end anytime soon. It’s almost 2021, so hopefully a new page will be turned soon.
ReplyDeleteTriniti, I hope a new page will be turned soon! You're in the drawing.
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