Back to a Minnesota autumn — this encore life

The trip back to Minnesota from Rome went without a hitch. My flights were on time, the customs craziness wasn’t all that crazy, and my ride home was waiting for me in Minneapolis. The next morning when I awoke in my own bed, it was as if I’d simply blinked and the scene, language, and season had all changed.

The animals didn’t appear to be at all surprised by my sudden reappearance—they were hungry and gave me a “oh, you again” look as they attacked their breakfast that first morning. I spent several days unpacking. It’s amazing what a chore that is. Packing is much more fun.

What I hadn’t anticipated was that the fall colors would still be so vivid. That was a treat I thought I’d traded for the charm of Rome, but I got the best of both worlds. And I also was given the gift of lovely warmer temperatures. No frost yet, so my zinnias still smiled at me.

So now I’m preparing for winter—already took 24 large bags to the dump (3 loads in the old van). Yesterday’s leaf-free lawn is today again a victim of leaf-overload. I guess when one lives under 15 oak trees, you can’t expect too much.

My biggest joys on this Italy trip were being able to spend time with my sister and to assimilate into her world a bit. A unique experience and I feel so lucky to have been able to explore more of this planet.

24 leaf bags to the dump—I could see grass again!