Frost

The night of our first frost is always a scramble to bring inside any outdoor plants I'm determined to save... yet again! This beautiful hibiscus bush was gifted to me last year... or maybe the year before, when Melissa's dad had enjoyed it all summer but had no plans for it over the winter. Somehow, I became the plant rescuer, and before long, my collection of summer plants making its way indoors for a little winter warmth. My house, beginning to look a bit like Jumanji, but what's a girl to do when she has a soft spot for a plant in need of saving?

Tim, on the other hand, argued that we should just leave them outside to die. What the heck? Apparently, he doesn't share my passion for rescuing perfectly good plants! The hibiscus, however, has been thriving and growing bigger every year, so at this rate, it may have to double as our Christmas tree this holiday season. Just imagine the decorating possibilities.

Then there are the two awesome lemon trees that also needed rescuing before the frost. More gifted plants, and naturally, I'm determined to keep them alive, too. Tim even promised to buy me all the lemons I could ever want if I'd just leave them outside. Nice try, Tim. After a little negotiating, he begrudgingly helped me carry them inside to safety. It may take some very creative rearranging to accommodate my growing indoor jungle throughout the winter, but one way or another, we're making it happen. I'm not sure our living space will agree, but these plants have officially become part of the family.

The weather certainly took a turn, and Tim and I embraced the cooler temperatures by lounging under blankets all day, napping like a couple of bears happily settling in for hibernation. Honestly, it was tempting to call it a day and stay tucked away until spring. But since we're not bears, we eventually had to get moving. Places to go, people to see, and things to do!

I had been invited to a documentary premiere by a friend who had created a fantastic short film about East Greenwich, Rhode Island. After spending the past five years working on a book about the town, he decided to create a movie version for those who might prefer watching a story unfold on the screen rather than reading about it. I was thrilled to be invited to the very first showing, surrounded by his friends and family. The documentary was impressive, and it was such an honor to be included on his short list of people he wanted to share this special moment with. There's something wonderful about watching a friend pour years of hard work and passion into a project and finally seeing it come to life.

After the screening, we enjoyed a lovely reception before Tim and I decided to venture out to a restaurant where another friend of mine works. It's a place we would never have discovered on our own, and if we hadn't been deliberately heading there, I'm pretty sure we never would have found it.

I'm still not sure how West Warwick can be so close to home and yet feel like an entirely different world. Neither Tim nor I had ever been anywhere near this restaurant, and absolutely nothing looked familiar. We might as well have been dropped off on the moon! Thank goodness for GPS, which kept us pointed in the right direction. Our navigation efforts were well worth it, though, when my friend spotted me and came over for a big hug. It's always nice to surprise someone you care about, especially when that surprise comes with a little extra effort to get there.

It was a good reminder that showing up for the people we care about matters. Whether it's celebrating a friend's accomplishment, making the effort to visit someone at work, or simply letting people know they're thought of, relationships need a little tending to thrive.

So, I'll continue nurturing my friendships with the same love and kindness I give to my plants. Both require a little attention, some patience, and a willingness to go the extra mile... even if one occasionally takes over the living room or has Tim and I navigating unfamiliar roads. 

And Tim should consider himself lucky. Despite his objections to my ever-expanding indoor jungle, I'd never leave him out in the cold, either.

As the seasons change and we settle into the colder months, I'll keep making room for the things that bring me joy, whether they're growing in a pot or growing through the friendships that make life so much richer. And who knows...I might just be making lemonade from fresh lemon trees in a few years! 

“Never believe that a few caring people can't change the world. For, indeed, that's all who ever have.” — Margaret Mead