It's autumn, it's autumn!

Even though Southern California really doesn't have a distinct fall season, all the signs are upon us. Several houses in my neighborhood already have their pumpkins (foam, cut-outs, lighted, inflatable) and scarecrows out on their lawns and fences. There are witches and giant spiders on rooftops and gauzy spider webs and fabric ghosts on bushes and trees. All the stores have had their giant-sized candy bags and Halloween costumes out on display weeks ago. All that and, yet, there are only a dozen red leaves on the 40-foot sweet gum tree in front of my house. In a few weeks all of them will become red and orange and, one by one, will scatter all over the lawn and sidewalk. It will be picturesque for about four days...then the dry leaves become work.

I usually put in a half-hearted attempt at decorating the house but I don't think I will do it this year. I'm a function-over-fashion kind of person and never really want to put up anything that I'd have to take down in a month. I want to focus my energy on three things this month: make a "Haku" costume (oh-kay?) for my daughter, finish training for AND RUN my first Half Marathon, and get the Kids' Marathon Training program started at my daughter's school. I'm enthusiastic about the program and hope that we'll get a decent response from the students. Most of the parents I've spoken with have been supportive. I'm hoping that it will go over well and become a tradition for our school. I'm also excited about running my first half-marathon.

IN THE KITCHEN:
In preparation for the coming holiday season I will also plan out my baking schedule so that we'll have enough breads to give away. I'm trying to be organized this year. Time to clear the pantry of old baking ingredients and stock up with fresh nuts, flour, and spices. Nothing worse than wanting to bake something but don't have all the ingredients on hand. And my baking urges usually come at 10 or 11 o'clock at night. I love to bake banana-nut, pumpkin-spiced, and cranberry-orange breads (and cookies.) Nothing smells as wonderful as breads baking in the oven. To me, it's the aroma of family and togetherness.

ON RUNNING:
There are two weeks left until the Long Beach Half-Marathon (10/14). I've been running on a regular basis for the past four month. My weekly mileage has increased from just 12 mpw to 22 mpw. Some weeks I even put in 25 miles. I am so amazed at what my body can do. Training for long distance races means slowing building up the length of one's long run. Last weekend I ran 12 miles. It took me 2 hours and 22 minutes, but I did it and I felt great! My oldest son is beginning to question my sanity, though.

IN THE GARDEN:
I've been busy learning about running so I didn't plant any vegetables or flowers this past spring. But, we do have some perennials so, this autumn, our garden offers baskets of jujubes and Asian pears. Our wax jambu are also bearing a lot of fruits this year. It didn't even flower last year even though my husband put all the right kind of fertilizers at the right time. Maybe it's a bi-annual fruit bearer.

As far as annuals go, in addition to assorted habaneros, Goat's Weed, and Devil's Tongue, I did grow the seriously hot chili pepper Naga Morich. Three plants yielded about 30 pepper pods--not as prolific as the other varieties. It is indeed lethally hot but isn't fleshy enough for fresh eating (which is the way my family consume 90% of the peppers.) I think Naga is meant more for drying and used as powder or sauce.

ON THE NIGHTSTAND:
I've been reading lots of books about running lately. What a surprise, eh? The books' contents vary from marathon stories to training plans to nutrition for runners. I've noticed that I approach all my passions the same way. I read all that I can get my hands on and talk to all the people who are willing to talk to me. Then, I try things out to find my comfort zone and style .

My passions, thus far, have been childhood education, cooking, baking, sewing, poetry, spirituality, gardening, and running. And with each passion comes a new Bookmark Folder and at least two shelves full of books. (Amazon.com stockholders adore me.)

I've also been re-reading some of my favorite poems. It's amazing how one's understanding of a poem changes and deepens over time. "Song of Myself" by Walt Whitman is a case in point.
"I believe in you my soul....the other I am must not abase itself to you,
And you must not be abased to the other."
My idea of "my soul" at age 44 is much fuller than what I'd imagined at age 19 or even 34. And I'm sure I will still be in wonderment at age 60.