Magical moments

It was one of those perfect autumn days when the sun is shining, the air is crisp, and the landscape is putting on a spectacular show of fall colors. My friend Judy met me at Shepherd’s Run for their fall festival, and we couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day to get out and enjoy the season.

Shepherd’s Run hosts craft fairs around the holidays, so I suppose this was their warm-up for the busy season ahead. But holy cow, was it packed! I've never seen so many people there at once. Even with all that sprawling outdoor space, the crowds were hard to miss. I'm thinking I'd much prefer a visit on an ordinary day, when I can wander at my own pace without navigating a sea of people. There's something to be said for enjoying these beautiful places without the masses!

That said, we weren't about to let a few crowds spoil our fun. We strolled around, soaked up the sunshine, and admired all the fall festivities. One of my favorite finds was this adorable flower vendor set up inside an old VW Bug van. What's not to love about fresh flowers, a vintage vehicle, and a creative little business all rolled into one? 

Once we'd had our fill of autumn festivities and people-watching, we made our way back to my house for a little Mahjong. Shocker, I know! When there's an opportunity to squeeze in a few games, you know I'm going to take it. Judy and I settled in and played game after game, enjoying our usual fast-paced, competitive play while chatting away between hands. It's a pretty perfect combination of friendship, a little friendly rivalry, and a whole lot of fun.

I even broke out my new Christmas Mahjong tiles for us to try. Yes, I'm already thinking about Christmas! The new set added an extra challenge as we familiarized ourselves with the different tiles, but figuring out a new set is part of the fun. 

But the biggest surprise of the day had nothing to do with fall festivals or Mahjong. It was my sweet basement cat, who was lounging on the living room couch when Judy and I walked right past her. And the best part? She didn't move a muscle! No scrambling for cover, no racing back to the safety of the basement, and no disappearing act. She simply stayed put, as though having company wander past her was the most ordinary thing in the world.

For a cat who once spent her days hiding behind the basement water heater, every milestone is a pretty big deal. We've been patient with her, allowing her to explore the house and find her confidence in her own time, and each step she takes is worth celebrating. Who knows? Maybe one of these days she'll actually stick around long enough to greet our guests or jump up on my lap. I'm not holding my breath just yet, but I'm certainly encouraged by her progress.

All in all, it was a wonderfully lazy day, filled with sunshine, fall colors, friendship, a little friendly competition, and a heartwarming reminder that progress sometimes happens when we're least expecting it. No big plans, no packed schedule, and nothing that needed accomplishing... about as rare as seeing my basement cat in the living room.

It's easy to overlook the little things when we're busy looking ahead to the next big event. But days like this remind me how much there is to appreciate right in front of me, if I could slow down long enough to notice.... I'd hate to miss one magical moment the world serves up for me. 

“Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life.” — Omar Khayyam