(The Everlasting Pumpkin glowing in the sun.)
Last fall, we headed out to Wildseed Farms in Fredericksburg to stock up on pumpkins for the season. They were gorgeous and fun, and all of them served their purpose through November, eventually rotting in the rain and humidity common here. Except for one.
That guy, pictured above, was big and strong, and held on for months and months, so we kept him on our porch. I didn’t know what else to do with it, and some of our neighbors, walking by on their evening strolls, would ask if it was real. The boys loved our Everlasting Pumpkin, and so did I.
We were beginning to think it would last forever, or at least until next Halloween. But last week, after a few downpours, I noticed a bunch of mold growing along our orange friend, and it was all mushy on one side.
It was time to say goodbye after many months of his presence on our porch, and there’s an empty spot where he sat for so long.
Maybe this fall, we’ll find another pumpkin to place on our porch, and hopefully it will live as long as this one did.
(The view from my back door, as the evening sun sets.)
I don’t know what it is about summer, but it seems to stir up feelings of restlessness within me. Maybe it’s the slower pace of the days, and the unending heat, but I’m feeling that same sense of longing creeping in that compelled me to take a blogging class last summer. I need to stay busy and I like a set schedule, and when that goes out the window, I feel a bit of a letdown, I guess. I’m still a fairly new mom, and I’m learning to recognize these feelings I have, so I can work to address them while caring for my boys. I have to meet their needs and my own, and finding that balance is really hard sometimes.
I heard this song on a repeat of “Austin City Limits” recently, and as cheesy as it sounds, I keep thinking about that girl dancing. I feel a bit like her sometimes, a little stuck where I am, and it’s so good to get out of my element every once in a while. Friday morning, I met some friends for coffee, and was treated to the stories of a former co-worker who had returned to Austin for a visit after moving to Virginia. My friend is in her early sixties, and she has the passion and energy of a teenager, always going, going, going. I laughed so hard my sides ached and my cheeks burned from smiling at her incredible tales, and the man sitting at the table next to us enjoyed her so much that he joined us, bonding over a song sung by Cher.
I want to be like my friend when I’m her age, but I’ve got to keep doing things now, and keep challenging myself. Sometimes I feel a bit down, but then I’ll laugh at a joke or see the sun setting outside my door, that beautiful, golden light pouring through the trees, and I’m revived again, with the energy to do something fulfilling for me.
(The sun setting through the trees.)
This summer, I’m taking a couple of classes, both for fun, and to challenge myself, and we’re entertaining the idea of taking a big vacation, something that always really scares me. I’m even thinking about going to Alt Summit again next year, which surprises me, too. I’m trying to use this restlessness for good, and I want to have stories to tell when I’m older.
(The summer sun setting does my heart so good.)
(My new pajamas from Garnet Hill.)
I tend to wear my pajamas until they fall apart, quite literally, and in the past, I would just grab a few pairs on clearance at Kohl’s or Target. Now that I’m making an effort to know exactly where my clothing comes from, it’s harder to find pajamas that are ethically made. I never expected this small journey of understanding to be easy, and I’m doing my research before buying anything these days.
I’ve always been a fan of Garnet Hill, and I own quite a few of their comfortable tees in various styles. Most of those tops, however, are “imported,” which doesn’t really say much about their origins. But Garnet Hill is a company that features clothing by different manufacturers, and they are working to become socially responsible in many ways. Green Cotton is a line of organic cotton clothing carried by Garnet Hill, and they make several different pajama styles. I’ll confess that I’ve always wanted to try a pair of Garnet Hill’s pajamas, since they are known for both their comfort and style.
So, I dug a little deeper and found that Green Cotton is owned by a Danish company called Novotex, which is known internationally as a leading producer of organic cotton products. They are committed to the highest standards of environmentally-friendly manufacturing, and their code of conduct provides for proper working conditions for their employees. They are working to create ethical products, too, which impressed me.
I decided to buy Green Cotton’s Ruched Surplice Tank Pajamas from Garnet Hill, and they are very well-made and comfortable. I chose the coral pair, which is really more of a light, peachy-pink, and while the top does have a tie, it isn’t uncomfortable to sleep in. The pants are full-length, and I usually prefer the capri style, especially in warmer weather, but they are light-weight and will be fine in my air-conditioned house. The surplice top is loose and comfortable, but not too revealing, and could actually work as a nursing top (for my pregnant friends who might be reading this). Overall, I’m really happy with my pajama purchase, and as soon as these wear out, I’ll buy another pair.
Maybe by then, ethically-made pajamas will be a bit easier to come by.
