One day at a time: 20 October 2014

In the States, 'midterm' has connotations of terror and tests and far far far more stress, and everyone breaths a sigh of relief when it's over so they can go back to the normal craziness of a regular schedule.

Over here, they have it so cushy! Instead of a week of tests in a row, teachers and kids get a week off during the 'midterm holiday' - airfare to exotic destinations triples in price, students (and teachers) catch up on sleep and real-life activities and everyone moans around the 20th October because we go back to the normal craziness of a regular schedule.

I've always loved October.

First, I loved it because I loved having my birthday at the beginning of the month - October meant presents!

Then, I distinctly remember going to the State Fair when I was about 6 years old. It was thrilling as it was the first time I could wear jeans and a jacket *for real* because the hot weather finally broke. October meant blessed relief. Summer heat does not last forever.

Now, I look forward to October because the weather here is so weird! It gets rainy and cloudy and gloomy here more often than not in May, June, July, August and the first part of September, aside from a few days of sunshine. Then, we tend to get a wonderful Indian summer where we get at least 2, if not 3 weeks of beautiful blue skies. The architectural lines of the city are decorated with avenues of fireworks as the leaves change dramatically. The skies soar and you even get the lighter shimmery blue near the horizon that only happens on a really bright day. On the west side of Edinburgh, you get the smell of the hops in the late afternoon near the brewery. On the east side, if you're close to the shore, you may get a tang of the sea. October air is alchemy of sunshine, decaying leaves, swirl of freshness and a smudge of an early chimney-fire. Last week it rained all day Thursday, but after a week of sun, I didn't even mind - we huddled down with our tea together and set our fireplace to work. I inhaled and pretended it was Christmas -very very cosy.

It will be getting even darker soon. The clocks change this Sunday, I think. Once you accept that the darkness will happen, it's easier to persevere! Just make sure to set the alarm clock in the morning as the dark mornings have a way of lulling you into sleeping too long.

I have also planted white cyclamen in the front yard - I am cheered by the effect.

It's a blurry picture, but I like the silvers and whites in my front garden. Looks sophisticated to me as the silver is found in the purple sage, the curry plant, the lavenders and the cyclamen leaves. I planted bacopa at the end of the summer (on clearance - woot!) and it is still spreading itself out happily, If I lift the bulbs and keep them dry when they die in the spring/summer, the white cyclamen will come back next year. Most people just use them as an annual though I think as they are ubiquitous at garden shops this time of year.

Last Wednesday, I totally scivved (played hooky) all day. F went over to play at S's house and while I probably should have cracked on painting and varnishing upstairs, it was such a lovely day, I just took myself out and did only what I felt like doing! well, after a few essential chores like taking F's prescriptions to the pharmacy.

On the Mound looking down to West End of Princes Street.

Mom's apartments in front of the castle.

After meeting Simon for lunch in Meadows (remembering our pre-parenting, pre-job dates) and popping in and out of charity shops (got a whole new autumn wardrobe refresh for about £25!), I walked back to Leith via the Scottish National Gallery.

Not allowed to take pictures in the gallery, but I visited the Impressionist rooms and saw the Trees by Cezanne and the Olive Trees by Van Goth. I saw 4 people looking at their smart phones, including the room monitors, and I inwardly laughed at a group of seemingly highschool students who were arguing in ridiculously posh English accents about the quality of one artist or other.

This is what I saw when I left the gallery.

This is a photo of St. Andrews' Square.

So after playing all Wednesday in such nice weather, Thursday was a return to a more normal existence. But I got this pretty picture of the front of our house with the completed dormers on the roof!

G had had to take the day off work, so we met up and took F and S over to Gorgie Farm in the morning. They had a brilliant time and were sooo tired out by the excitement.

F was picking out one pellet of food at a time and carefully offering it to the animals while S was grabbing loads of food and letting the goats gobble it up all at once.