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09.23.2007 :: All hail the golden light of fall!
When last we chatted, it was about our love for autumn. You will now see that it is a bit of an obsession with me. Therapy may be needed but I will remain in denial and just love it to my heart's content!
When Lucia mentioned the golden light as one of her favorite things about fall, I had a bit of a head smack moment! OF COURSE! The GOLDEN LIGHT! That is one of the things that makes fall look so beautiful, in my humble opinion. And I wondered if I could take a picture that would justify the beauty. I'm not sure if I did, but here's my take on:
The Golden Light:
(Please forgive how many times I actually use the phrase "golden light" in this post)
To see the golden light shining through the trees makes me happy! This is the thing that will give me a stiff neck as I stand with my head thrown all the way back, losing my balance to drink it all in!
Again, looking like a nut to my neighbors. You'd think they'd be used to it by now?
The church across the street from me looks absolutely heavenly lit with the golden light. You can almost see why this would be seen as a personal message from above, can't you?
Positively golden. And glowing.
Cue the patriotic music! Who needs the rockets red glare when we have the golden light? Really.
And the shadows? Made from the golden light, obviously? Positively, well....golden! (light) Hollywood could not duplicate this look!
And then?
If we're lucky?
The light will then turn pink:
And that, my friends, is why I love fall so much.
But you know that it's not the ONLY reasons. I have more. And I'll share them too.
Question is? Will you read along?
(golden light?)
~~
Life's been wonderfully busy. The porch is finished. WOOT! We have been busy scrubbing the porch chairs and table so we can sit out there. Even after scrubbing to within an inch of their lives and a good bleach job? They still look so shabby out there on that wonderful porch. Next spring, we'll be investing in new ones. Poor old things, rejected because they are old and well loved. Good thing no one does that to me!
And Derek bought a new car. Be still my worrying heart. It is a Dodge SRT-4. If you don't know what it is? It is FAST. And red. Did I tell you how fast it is? I worry. If you have a bit of time at the end of your day, please cross fingers, toes, eyes and anything else that can be crossed to wish for some Derek safety. If only that golden light could help me out on this one.
Someone at work asked me WHY I would let him buy such a fast car? He is 21 years old after all.
I know. He's 21. And did I tell you about his birthday? No I don't think I did. I was so exhausted and uspet about the whole thing.
Well, for those that don't know, the legal drinking age is 21. So, at midnight he went out with a bunch of friends to celebrate his first legal (notice I keep saying LEGAL?) imbibing of the spirit. And everyone bought him a shot. Or two. After all, who doesn't love to celebrate a birthday? And he had a LOT of shots in a little bit of time. Silly boy, er man. Needless to say there was some sleeping on the bathroom floor and some..well. That's enough details. You can probably imagine the rest.
So I have a son that is 21.
And I did not tell you that he is not going back to school. He really really had a great time there. But let's just say that he did not spend many a night burning the candle oil in the library. So now he has a full time job that he is loving with a major cable company that is really good to it's employees, which is rare to find nowadays.
And Bethany? She did not go back to UNH because she did not want to continue on the path to being an athletic trainer, which makes little to NO money per year out in the world and UNH is EXpensive. She wanted to go to school to be a radiation tech but the local programs were full. Which is a conundrum. She enrolled at North Shore Community College in their travel and hospitality program, to be a travel agent. Even though a medical job is her dream. She felt she had to do something. And she hated it. (who could see that one coming, raise your needles) To make things worse? Classes were in Lynn. That's right, the city of sin, never come out the way you went in! (This is not to say that Lynn doesn't have it's wonderful places. It does. But it is a rough town. And it scared Bethany. She is less scared of Boston, honestly) So, 3 weeks into classes, I come downstairs ready for work one morning and find her all puffy eyed and sobbing on the couch. She told me how miserable her classes were making her (she was used to university caliper classes and these were quite insulting to her, for instance, spending a whole class explaining what latitude and longitude were) And how she hated Lynn and how she really wanted to go into Radiation science of some sort. She works in the local hospital (in food services) and she knows that the hospital is her kind of thing. So, follow her dreams she must. Don't you agree? She went to Lynn one last time that day and unenrolled in classes. So for now, she is working a lot and taking an EMT class. And thinking of applying to Suffolk University for Radiation Biology.
Color me impressed (which would be GOLDEN, just for the record)
My point in telling you all of that? (Are you still reading? Extra bloggy points for you) (bloggy points are worthless and can not be turned in for anything) Last year, remember how I was so miserable that everyone had left for college and it was so quiet around here?
Yeah.
I'd pay money for a little quiet right now. And less laundry, and mess, and snack litter.
File this under: Be careful what you wish for. You might get it. Not that it's a bad thing. They are good people. If I do say so myself. But the worrying is kicked up a notch. I was good at tucking away the worry when I could not see them everyday.
PHEW.
My fingers are tired. (But not golden)
Derek in his new car (red one) at the RACEWAY, picture taken by my husband. I could not bear to watch. At least this is controlled speeding, right?
~golden light, golden light~
Posted by Sandy on 09.23.2007 AT 09:31 AM
Comments
Oh my goodness. I think after all that you need a vacation. Rhinebeck is coming, I promise. 21 year old sons w/ fast cars and hangovers. Do you see? This is why I don't want a boy. (Did I tell you I'm prego and super D duper excited?) Yes, I remember your posts last year, so worried. Heee. Oh well, it's what we mom's do best. OH and I do love the golden light, the smells too. Everything smells "crisp", the apples, the leaves, even the golden light smells crisp.
Posted by: Tracey on 09.29.2007 AT 08:31 PM
Sounds like 21 requires more bravery than 17. Will I be able to muster up that much by then? I'm learning from you, Sandy,
Li
Posted by: Li_B on 09.29.2007 AT 12:09 AM
Twenty-one. I'm with you there, girlfriend. Nick turns 21 in December. And has had plenty o' the hair of the dog in the meantime, you know? Bless your heart. My prayers are with you.
Good for Bethany, knowing what is in her heart, and what she must do. God, Sandy---you & Andy have done a great job. I'm sobbing here.
Love the Golden Light shots. Let's hear it for Fall. Love you. Let's hear it for good girlfriends. xoxo
Posted by: Kim on 09.27.2007 AT 08:53 AM
Beautiful pics, Sandy!
No use worrying about your son so very much. I've tried (for my kids), and it doesn't seem to be working.
Maybe if I knit them some helmets...
Posted by: candace on 09.26.2007 AT 07:00 PM
It's hard being a mom, isn't it? They're good kids and I have faith they'll get through all the growing pains of young adulthood just fine. Hang in there!
Autumn is my favorite season too. I love the golden light--and even love the cool rainy days we're having here!
Posted by: Amy on 09.25.2007 AT 07:55 PM
I just wish that golden light would last long enough for me to snap some decent blog pictures when I get home from work. Sigh...
And I'm chuckling a bit at the idea of your empty nest being uncomfortably full again. ;-) But yay for the kids finding new, more suitable paths for them! (Except the raceway part. GAH. Serenity now! ;-)
Posted by: Beth S. on 09.25.2007 AT 12:57 PM
I love the golden light too. And since the equinox the rising sun has sent a ray down my street. It seems magical.
Re: the car and the drinking and the dropping out etc. My son did that too. We survived. Hang in there.
Re: your daughter. Good for her!
Posted by: Cathy on 09.25.2007 AT 11:04 AM
As long as he's not combining that snazzy car w/the drinking ....
Good for Bethany, knowing what she wants and going after it. I wish I'd been as focused when I was her age.
Posted by: Ruth on 09.25.2007 AT 08:47 AM
I am about to become a mom soon. I hope that I can handle things as well as you do some day. I do believe that we all should do what makes us happy and there is no use to forcing things.
Posted by: Oiyi on 09.25.2007 AT 12:03 AM
Fall is what I like best about living in New England. Glad your porch is fixed now and I'll keep my fingers crossed for your son.
Posted by: Kelly on 09.24.2007 AT 07:22 PM
I'll worry with you, honey. Need some socks and chocolate to make this transition a bit easier? I'm so glad that both of them are doing what's right for them. So much pressure at that age. They're lucky to have such good parents.
Forget the golden light! Pink sky!
♥
Posted by: Cookie on 09.24.2007 AT 05:44 PM
I am seeing the golden light here in AL, but feeling the 90 degree temps. Love your photos.
Posted by: Paula on 09.24.2007 AT 01:43 PM
Sandy-- I wish that my parents had been a little more like you. I powered through a college I didn't love (well, not until the very end), because making a switch wasn't really 'an option' as far as they saw it. I'm so glad to hear that Bethany is listening to her heart, and that you're letting that happen. Yay!
And Lynn. I'm afraid of Lynn, too. :)
Posted by: wenders on 09.24.2007 AT 01:19 PM
Even though your kids have thier ups and downs with school, I would much rather come out of the whole experience with a degree I can actually use! Also I go to Suffolk for grad school and enjoy it very much!
And speaking of golden lights. I just came back from the Rocky Mountain National Park and talk about golden. The aspen trees are changing and they were gorgeous!!
Posted by: Stephanie on 09.24.2007 AT 12:38 PM
Gracious, I had no idea I was so, um, inspirational.
If it makes you feel any better, I had that night on the bathroom floor (only I was, ahem, younger at the time), and it helped me develop a strong appreciation for liquor and my limitations with respect thereto, namely, two drinks in the golden light, or any other kind.
And yay Bethany! Does she have any inclination toward physical therapy? It seems to be a profession you can take with you and be in high demand anywhere.
(golden light)
Posted by: Lucia on 09.24.2007 AT 12:06 PM
Sandy, I failed to mention....if your daughter would like to EM me regarding her interest in being an X-Ray technologist I will be happy to talk to her. I have been a registered tech for .....oh now I'm depressed thinking about how many years.....over 20!!! I think it is a GREAT job for a woman and I will be happy to give her some good info! I know it is hard to get into school and generally takes several attempts but if she can manage taking core classes it is worth the wait!!
Posted by: Crazy For Yarn In Alabama on 09.24.2007 AT 09:31 AM
By all means PLEASE keep the Fall pictures coming...especially for all of us in the deep south...where it is still 90 degrees with high humidity! Our Fall won't truly start for several more weeks and then seldom lasts long. Fall is my ABSOLUTE favorite season of the year!!!!!! Thanks so much for sharing your Fall!!!!
Posted by: Crazy For Yarn In Alabama on 09.24.2007 AT 09:22 AM
hahahahaha oh sandy, i'm sorry. but i have to laugh thinking of your son spending the night on the bathroom floor. i'm sure if i had kids i'd be worried, but as someone who came pretty close to doing the same, i have to laugh. it's good to be 21.
good for bethany to have the courage to know what she wants to do and to not want to waste her time. i'm twice her age and i still don't know for sure.
and the golden light. i've been talking about the light for years. clearly you don't read my blog ;)
Posted by: maryse on 09.24.2007 AT 06:52 AM
But I wanted to trade my bloggy points in for a blue Saturday Sky! *pout*
Eeep! Fast cars scary! At least he's on a race track and not trying to do this on some side street somewhere! *shudder*
Posted by: Andrea (noricum) on 09.24.2007 AT 12:14 AM
I hung on to the VERY end, and I want my bloggy points!!! Must be they're good for SOMETHING?
(golden light)
Posted by: norma on 09.23.2007 AT 07:12 PM
Wow. What a post! Good for Bethany for knowing what she wants (right now). That's a big step. I'm glad she's getting back on track.
Posted by: Cheryl on 09.23.2007 AT 06:13 PM
Wow. Thats a whole lotta changes in just a short time. Your head must be spinning.
Posted by: claudia on 09.23.2007 AT 04:44 PM
You are one hell of a momma! Someone to aspire to! Thank you!
Posted by: Cara on 09.23.2007 AT 03:51 PM
aww Sandy! I've been bugging my family in MA to send me pix of Fall, with no luck. Thank you for taking such beautiful photos. Hang in there Bethany, I found out yesterday that the wait list here in SD for the rad tech program is somewhere around 2010. Yikes. They did suggest getting a job as a Rad Tech aide. That may give you an "in" over someone without that kind of experience. I'm sure you'll figure it out. I agree, stay out of Lynn.
Pining away for good ol' new england apple cider,
lis
Posted by: Lissa on 09.23.2007 AT 03:32 PM
You're a good mom, Sandy.
Posted by: Carole on 09.23.2007 AT 02:20 PM
ah the drunken 21st birthday - 'tis a rite of passage and hopefully will teach him what his limits are...listening to and respecting the limits will hopefully start before he's 30. ;o)
Pats on the back to Bethany for knowing what she wants in life and pursuing it - that is not an easy choice to make.
...and I like the car. ;o)
Posted by: JessaLu on 09.23.2007 AT 02:01 PM
All hail the golden light! Our living room is lovely at this time of year, as it has several windows that let in all the golden light which then bounces off the golden walls. Yes, our walls are painted a golden yellow -- Dorset gold above the chair rail (could it be more appropriate?) and Sundial beneath. I'm with you on the love of fall.
Enjoy your kids while they are at home with you :) Props to your daughter for knowing where her heart lies. And to your son for surviving his 21st! I believe I slept in the same place on mine!!
Posted by: Danielle on 09.23.2007 AT 11:40 AM
I love the golden light, too, but I never realized that is one of the reasons autumn is a favorite time. Thanks for the, um, pointed reminder. :-)
Posted by: Angie on 09.23.2007 AT 11:09 AM
I think your fingers are golden, Sandy. They do all that wonderful golden knitting.
But worrying? NOT golden. Quit it or you will tarnish.
Posted by: Paula on 09.23.2007 AT 10:54 AM
I am a ,just retired ,Nuclear Medicine
tech. I started as an Xray tech and changed to nuclear. Many oppertunities
now with PET , Heart scanning. I liked the flexibility of Radiology. Worked
many years part time when I had kids.
This in Montreal. things might be
different in the US. Jobs pay more in the US.Here we have to choose between
Xray,NuclearMed,or Radiotherapy when taking the 3 year training course at
college.I loved my career. Tina
Posted by: Tina on 10.07.2007 AT 09:45 AM