September 2026 Island Trip – Day 3

Sleep was elusive this morning. I was in active thought mode about, mostly, the gathering. While not sleeping when I should have been was annoying, I did get some actionable things lined up in my 3-7AM brain. Yeah, it was quite a stretch of time. And then I was able to sleep from 7ish until 9:15.

I was on the mower by 10AM. After 4.5 total hours the entire place was done. While we estimate the number of acres I keep mowed (3ish), it’s fun/astonishing to realize that’s over 130,000 sqft! 😳 And Gawd it looks good, and park-like. I texted Jose asking if I could get on his schedule for the line trimming… 😏 I want to mow dad’s garden as well (another 4500 sqft 😂) just to knock down the 4’ weeds. And unless October is mild and wet (rather than cold and wet), this ought to be the last mow of the year. A reprieve for 5 or 6 months!

I unpacked my mama’s abalone shells today. I’ve offered them to my children. Two have put in a request, and I’m waiting to hear from the others. I’ll follow up with them tomorrow. Mom used one for soap at her bathroom sink. I keep a sage smudge bundle in mine. These are some of a number of items I want to spread around our family rather than keep in totes in the pump room… It’s good to revisit those totes.

The weather has been perfect here. Mostly sunny. Mid-60’s to low 70’s as a high. Stella has been staying in the low 70’s. The stars were out in abundance last night. We’re keeping the windows open at night and soaking up this almost-autumn perfection.