Main Events:
October, like March, is a gateway month. It leaves you in a different place than it found you. For me, it was still summer when October started, but now I’m wearing my Halloween cat ears surrounded by beautiful fall foliage and a cool breeze. I even started taking out the winter clothes this week.
Reading:
Technically I read three books this month, but: I finished Sea Creatures on October 1, read The Merry Spinster in one day this week, and spent the entire rest of October working on Stoned, an account of famous jewels and jewelry that changed history. It wasn’t bad, I was just too busy and woolly-headed to give it adequate attention. The stories of ruthless, megalomaniac rulers had the unexpected side effect of reminding me that nothing is new under the sun.
Listening:
Longtime readers know I’m an unabashed Hanson fan. This month I went to my sixth, and probably best, Hanson concert: String Theory at the Schermerhorn in Nashville with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra. Debra and I got these tickets months ago (the show sold out within minutes). Hearing songs I’ve loved for years with that orchestral backing was surprisingly emotional, and I can’t wait for the album to pick apart the story the guys constructed. They delivered on their promise of some deep cuts – at the first notes of “Yearbook,” Debra was like “Are they kidding us with this??” – but it made sense to veer toward the more dramatic tracks. And as usual, there’s nothing like the atmosphere at a Hanson show: a packed house of women in their 30s who know every word and gesture, and their initially-reluctant partners.
In other news, I bought Kacey Musgraves’ Golden Hour after wanting it for months, and Carrie Underwood’s Storyteller album on Debra’s recommendation. “Church Bells” is an unexpected banger. I never thought I’d say this, but I’m also getting into Panic at the Disco. I suggested to Taylor that we see them when they come to Memphis, and he was like “Sure, let’s go for the two songs we know.” (I love those, though! The new ones, not their first hit that still makes no sense to me.)
Watching:
A Star Is Born deserves ALL the hype and awards. The acting, music, and story are all beautiful and devastating. After the movie, I had to hug Taylor for a few minutes and then try to compose myself in the bathroom (which I’m hearing is a pretty common experience). Debra and I saw First Man, which was also excellent.
My parents’ church has backed several independent movies, and their latest is Indivisible, a true story of an army chaplain in Iraq. We went to a screening last weekend, and it’s a pretty solid film. If you’re military and/or enjoy faith-based movies, I recommend it – it’s in about 800 theaters nationwide. Tia Mowry has a supporting role, and I’m always in for the Sister Sister sisters.
On the elliptical, I’ve finished catching up on The Bold Type and have started on The Good Place from the beginning. It’s as great as everyone says. I’m already spoiled for the twist, but that just means I can look for clues without having to watch it all again!
Travel:
I went to Nashville two weekends in October. The first trip was for my younger niece’s birthday. Her PJ Masks obsession has held strong for at least a year, so that was her party theme! The second trip was for the Hanson show. It was on a Sunday night, so I took Monday off, and it was nice to have a little more time. Especially since I stopped at McKay’s on the way out of town. There are no short trips to McKay’s.
Around Town:
October is opening month for Hoop City. Memphis Madness is basically a pep rally for the upcoming Tiger basketball season, and this year’s epic Madness launched the Penny Hardaway era. The Forum was sold out, fans were hyped like it was 2008, and tears were shed when COACH Hardaway came out of the tunnel for the first time. High high hopes!
Grizzlies season began, and other than an awful first game on the road, things are looking okay. My favorite Tiger of all time, D.J. Stephens, is finally on the Grizz roster and I’m in constant suspense to see when they’ll dress him out. Taylor and I got to attend a game in my company’s box this month! I could definitely get used to that setting.
Sadly, Tiger football has basically tanked. We were looking good against #10 UCF this month… until it started raining. At this point I’ve forgotten what it’s like to attend a football game NOT in the rain, and clearly the team doesn’t enjoy it either. Oh well. We’ll see the season through and enjoy whatever Darrell Henderson fireworks we get.
At Home:
My existing fall decorations weren’t doing it for me this year, but I found these beautiful, natural-looking fall florals for cheap at Jo-Ann’s!
Taylor’s Halloween yard decoration made me LOL when I pulled up and saw it.
Random Happiness:
Our long-awaited Trader Joe’s finally opened in September, but I waited a few weeks for the crowds to die down (we Memphians have zero chill about new places). I tried a good cross-section of items and plan to put a few in my regular rotation. What are your favorite TJ’s products?
I got my First PSL as soon as the weather was appropriate for it. #basic
My car hit 60,000 miles on the way home from my second Nashville trip. It turned five in July, so now it’s out of warranty on both fronts. I’m thankful it still looks and runs great, because I love it and plan to keep it for a long time.
I attended part of my church’s first ever women’s retreat. It was held at a rustic, pretty retreat center just outside Memphis that I never knew existed. Despite a lifetime of discomfort in large groups of church women, I actively wanted to go to this, roomed with a great new friend, had a fantastic time, and hated to leave early! This year, for the first time ever in a church setting, I feel like I can be my full, unedited self and not fear judgment of my messy faith and life. It’s a big deal and I’ll be grateful for it for as long as it lasts.
My work team had a day of fun that included Shelby Farms, a hayride, high-quality burgers, and bowling. #blessed
The most impactful thing that happened to me this month was getting a new co-paralegal at work. She’s a wonderful person and sharp as a tack, and I’m already happy to know and work with her. Now that our new team is complete (after two people moving up this year), my boss is going hard on training and establishing new processes, which is also positive (if mentally exhausting).
Wellness:
October was not a stellar wellness month. I often felt like I was skimming along the surface of life – throwing pieces of myself at a lot of things and not feeling fully present anywhere. I’m not making good use of my personal time either. When I do get a few hours in which I could do some desperately needed enriching activity (read, complete a project, create stuff, etc.), I can’t focus enough to do so, and can’t really accomplish anything. I’ve experienced a lot of this in my 30s, but this feels different and worse. Now I feel like I’m strong and capable enough to fix it, but I don’t know how.
My clothes are getting tighter again, and I feel at a loss about that too. I already work out and eat pretty healthily (lots of vegetables, whole foods, I even switched to organic dairy). I’ve considered some big diet, but know I’d crash and burn in a week, so right now I’m just trying to make lower-calorie choices one day at a time. I’ll do a lot to avoid hardcore calorie counting (which is the only thing that’s historically worked for me, but left me hungry and chained to a diet app for a year and a half).
Your Monthly Rufus:
Quote of the Month:
My favorite line from A Star Is Born. I got chills.
Good Reads:
♥ Alison Pearlman at LitHub: On the Weird World of Secret Menus
♥ Tonia Peckover: Overcoming Resistance
♥ Rachel Syme in the New Yorker: The Fashion Comeback of Fran Drescher in “The Nanny,” with Help from Cardi B
♥ Laura Jean Truman: Evil with Its Mask Off
♥ Kris Gage: How to Make a Relationship Last
♥ Addie Zierman: The Judging Tree
♥ Mandy Hale: Turn Toward the Sun
Parting Thoughts:
If you’re an American, PLEASE vote between now and November 6. This is not the time to sit apathetically on the sidelines or hold out for an ideal candidate who perfectly represents your views. I truly believe that this election will decide the course of our country’s future, and I’m both hopeful and terrified. Please make your voice heard while you can, and please let it be a voice for freedom and hope for people of all races, genders, faiths, and economic backgrounds. Thank you.
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