September is always a bittersweet month. It sees the end of summer and start of a new school year. This year my two girls are in 4th and 2nd grade. I cannot believe how the time has gone by. I love this stage! Sending them off to a day of learning is the best thing ever! And all those new school supplies, clean desks, and fresh books!

We said good-bye to Weston’s grandpa this month. We made a quick trip to Olathe, Colorado for the funeral. Even though it was a sad time, it was a good time. All of the aunts and uncles and cousins were present; we had lots of good story telling. The neatest thing about the funeral, was the procession to the graveyard. From the church to the cemetery is a good distance, and the hearse normally takes the casket. For some reason, a hearse was not available this time, so it was decided the casket bearers would carry the casket. We emerged from the church after our final farewells to a bright cloudless sky, a waiting congregation and the eight oldest grandsons ready to do their last duty for grandpa. They started off with the family following behind. As we walked, the congregation fell in behind us and it was the most peaceful scene. Bright Colorado sky. Strong young men. One old well-loved grandpa. Grandma being helped along by loving son and daughters. The respectful congregation lending support. It’s a scene that I will not forget any time soon!

-Ever wonder why they are called ‘pallbearers’? Pall refers to the heavy cloth that is often draped over a casket. So casket bearer was put together with the word pall to become ‘pallbearer’. Considering that typically we don’t have the pall over the casket we technically have casket bearers.

-And speaking of looking backwards over a life well lived, take a look at this couple who never have moved into the present century. Would you like to live like they do? They wear traditional clothes, have 1940’s vehicles and play board games in the evening for entertainment.

-I came across Letters From Afar in my online browsing. We have now gotten three letters from them and they are the nearest thing! Each letter comes with a double sided ‘handwritten’ letter from Isabelle, a map of where she is, and field notes with drawings and tidbits of information about the country. They are fun and educational. Plus, the young ones in the family are always happy to get something in the mail. We make a family deal out of it and the letters get read at supper time with everyone going to our world map and finding the current country. This would be perfect for a gift for a middle grade classroom, also. You can get 10% off your first order by using this link right here.

-Into listening to podcasts? Do I have one for you to binge listen to! It is life changing, but not in a good way. SCAMANDA is the most amazing thing I have ever heard in my life, and I don’t feel like I’ve been under a rock. I know a few things. Here is what Podbean (the app I use for podcasts) says about Scamanda:

“Amanda is a wife. A mother. A blogger. A Christian. A charming, beautiful, bubbly young woman who lives life to the fullest. But Amanda is dying, with a secret she doesn’t want anyone to know. She starts a blog detailing her cancer journey, and becomes an inspiration, touching and captivating her local community as well as followers all over the world. Until one day investigative producer Nancy gets an anonymous tip telling her to look at Amanda’s blog, setting Nancy on an unimaginable road to uncover Amanda’s secret. Award-wnning journalist Charlie Webster explores this unbelievable and bizarre, but all-too-real tale, of a woman from San Jose, California whose secret ripped a family part and left a community in shock. Scamanda is the true story of a woman whose own words held the key to her secret.

Thanks, Scamanda, for making me look cross-eyed at all the Go-Fund-Me’s floating around these days. You will never look at donating to causes the same after listing to this!

-Have you ever been totally surprised by a gift so awesome you can’t believe it? I just had that experience. We got home from Colorado to a giant box on our back porch. I wondered aloud what it was, but Weston said nothing. I walked around the box and saw the brand and knew. It was an ebike! We had been talking of getting me a new bike, but hadn’t pursued it, yet. I had off handedly mentioned an ebike with no expectations of actually getting one. But here it was. I have been thoroughly enjoying it. It makes riding bike a breeze. Send this link to your husband and maybe you will get the surprise of your life, too.

-Every time we have been to Colorado, I have said, “One of these times we are going to drive over the Grand Mesa.” This was the time. What is the Grand Mesa? It is the largest flat-topped mountain IN THE WORLD. Yes, the world! It has an area of about 500 square miles and stretches about 40 miles. That all sounds grander than the part we actually saw, but what we saw was enough for this prairie lover. It has uncrowded hikes (which we didn’t hike) Nordic ski trails (which we didn’t ski) and unparalleled views (which we drank in left, right and center). The exact road we took was the 63 mile Grand Mesa Scenic Byway. We stopped numerous times to gaze out over the valleys below us. Our lunch was by a mountain lake with fly fisherman just up the way and cattle contentedly munching grass. The leaves were just starting to turn, so we even got in on some fall color. Was it worth making our drive time a couple hours longer? Absolutely. Do it!

What have you found interesting this month? Share some of your thoughts (and links) in the comments!

And now, I must go ride my bike!

-Eva