Day 269 Week 39 September 2026

Here we are at the last Saturday of September 2026. In 96 days, (about 13 weeks) it will be 2027.

Think about that for a moment. 

There’s enough time to prepare for a new year. If you’ve ever considered creating a calendar, then now is the time. If you want to celebrate the new year with a dinner or party, then there is time to plan. 

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This morning my plan was to gas up. The days of feeling all right with half a tank are gone. First though, I bought a Dunkin hot coffee. By the time I arrive home, it will be cool enough to drink. 

Along the way to the lowest priced gas in Middlebury, I notice a tinge of orange on the Green Mountains’ Presidential Range. I expect foliage to turn earlier because the ambient temperatures cooled in August. 

Still, I’m surprised to see that much orange in the higher elevations this soon. Late first week into the second week of October is when I plan foliage excursions.

This year, leaf peeping begins for me next week. Well, as it happens, rain is in the weather forecast for most of next week.  

There is s Nor'easter along the upper Eastern Seaboard. This far inland in Vermont, we might not have as much rain. Rainy weather adds an atmospheric vibe to autumn. It also with the wind, sends foliage to the ground.

Enjoy a We’ll See Week

Sort your winter gloves

Cook a New England boiled dinner

Make a fruit salad

Browse hiking socks online

Research skin moisturizers

Read about pinecones

Draw a cluster of acorns

Play cards with friends

 

View from Dunkin drive thru
26 September 2026
New Haven Vermont

Bright ideas

Bright ideas are a trap. The moment one enters my thoughts, it feels like the best idea ever. If I don’t get a grip right away, then the next thing I know I have a dozen bookmarks and I’m wondering Home Depot or Lowes?

The bright idea this week is thankfully mild,  Apple picking. I haven’t been in a few years. Given my diet changes, I want frozen fruit that I prepare. Apple slices can be used a lot of ways from smoothies to in soup or a one serve apple crisp on a cold winter’s night.

When a bright idea is complicated, there’s a #1 rule I like to follow (when I remember it)…Don’t buy anything right away. The 2nd rule is to source first from what I already have. 

It is important to know that not all bright ideas are meant to be. Adding time between the introduction and moving forward is a way of getting a grip on the emotional trap mechanism that pulls you in, and clamps you down. You can identify the clamping as you begin to ask yourself: Why did I buy all those?

Picking apples is an easy bright idea.

Check out your local orchards. 

What about all the Google app stuff

In the upper right box of dots, how many of the apps there do you use? Out of 34, I use 5 regularly. Some of them, I don’t know what they are.

There’s discussions and articles online about things I’ve not heard of. A few times over the last couple of months, I’ve been stuck on a website with no easy way out. 

The internet is feeling like the local woods is being developed without many knowing it is going on. When the world around us changes, we aren’t always aware of those changes. Early online days, when something was new, then, I believe, people knew about it fairly quickly. 

We are all being distracted. 

That is Something to think about.

Here’s a funny. In the morning. On sofa propped up on one arm, as I’m typing a blog post, an email or reading an article. I stop to think and close my eyes. Drifting off, my head lowers and lowers until my face is nearly on my phone. It’s hilarious. 

I almost dozed off right now. 😂😴

I did doze off minutes later. I woke around 2 PM! Guessing, my flu shot yesterday left me feeling lousy and tired. I feel better now.

Get Your Flu Shot, if you’re able.

Smooth isn’t working

September 16, I posted A new use if smooth, on this blog, how I want the rest of 2026 to feel smooth. Shortly after that was posted, I was reminded that probably will not happen. I am aware smooth is a challenge because being optimistic does carry an element of folly with it.

Here’s the low down.

There are times when a sensitive issue that’s part of a disability, is met with ignorance due to people not understanding. People might laugh, ridicule and/or be dismissive.

I have been in situations where those around me displayed those reactions. I even laughed about how silly something was that it bothers me, upsets me because of PTSD.  Trying to accommodate others at our expense is not, I believe, uncommon with non visual disabled people. 

Filing for a reasonable accommodation takes time waiting, documenting, gathering information, more waiting. Filing for a failure to accommodate takes, I feel, even longer. 

In the waiting, there is the anxiety, suffering,  and/or inconvenience.

Out of it all, what rises to the surface for me is the feeling I don’t matter. There is no way I can stop that heartache when I’m laughed at, when I hear no, not happening.

Being met with a clear right versus wrong does not mean the right will prevail.

Life isn’t always fair.

People with non visual disabilities have to build their own ramps with words. 

I have another ramp to build. 

The fall tweed blazer dilemma returns

This is an old blog subject about dressing how you want versus what’s convenient, affordable or available. It crosses my mind because I’m once again going through the to buy or not to buy a polyester tweed blazer. 

It has been a few years (in autumn) of my browsing online for a fall blazer. If I find one, then it is not in my size or I don’t like the price. I think now I have more important things than be bothered by feeling a need a tweed blazer. This is the end of the blazer saga*. There will be no more fall blazer shopping. 

Note, plaid and corduroy fall jackets also are done. I bought those already. 😂

* P.S.

Oh! What’s that!?

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