Character Creation, Letting Go & Recipe Sources

You know those times at the store when you see somebody you haven’t seen in months, and you thought they had moved away. You’re asked who told you that. A feeling of dread washes over you as you remember you do not want to say who. A web starts spinning right before your eyes. 

Use that puzzled look on your face to your advantage with a reply that you aren’t sure who it was. Then change the subject. 

Characters I create have such conversations. It is always a struggle for me to paint with words a negative profile. But, without that texture in the story, the narrative is too smooth, bland, unrealistic. We learn from people what characters can and should be.

What could possibly cause me to blog about that writing dilemma?

Well, I’m not sure.

It could be that today’s biggest task for me is to load up objects that facilitate downsizing my wardrobe. I really do dread thinning out my clothes.

Maybe baking the squash will lift my spirits.

Butternut Squash

This season I am keen on putting good effort into building a collection of recipes. Each week, I want to shop for and make a meal using a new to me recipe. 

To make it more fun as well as interesting, I’ll add different cuisines from around the World. I know American, Italian, Mexican, Chinese, and that’s it. A good source to start with is the Wikipedia page, List of Cuisines. 

Asters

There are years when purple asters are hardly seen. This year here in this Vermont lower elevation, I’ve seen big clusters of asters. So, I had to stop and take photos of them outside the thrift store. 

Learn something new

Coffee. Wondering why store bought coffee tastes better than home brewed coffee, I searched that question online. It is no surprise that 90% or better simple questions have already been posted it online.

A why didn’t I think of that: 

Home brewed coffee is not as fresh as store coffee where turn over means just opened freshness. 

Grinding coffee beans at home and using really hot water, I believe, does enhance favor.

 🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

Foliage reports are important

this time of year

My suggestion is to check out state tourism websites and Instagram. Instagram has boots on the ground reporting with actual photos that prove how the colors are doing. 

From what I’ve seen online, the higher elevations are showing good color. The map on the link below I believe is fairly accurate. There is color, that orange tint on the Green Mountains’ Presidential range seen from along Route 7 in Addison County.

 https://newengland.com/foliage/foliage/peak-fall-foliage-map/

🍂🍂🍂🍂🍂

Tip of the day:

Don’t cut your bangs without

looking in the mirror first.

🫣

It has to be said

To Keyboard creators: 

MY fingers are not that fat!

Please, do better

Thank you 

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. 

🍁🍁🍁🍁🍁

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