Hobbling, But Happy: An Early October Walk In The Park

October 11, 2016July 1, 2025 / Ally Bean / 40 Comments

We’ve yet to see any fall color here, but on Sunday the sky was clear blue.

Zen-Den and I decided to go to a city park for a mosey.

It seemed like a sensible thing to do.

You see, Zen-Den, who sprained his ankle a few weekends ago, was just getting back to walking without a crutch.

And I had twisted my knee while mowing the yard on Saturday morning, meaning I was moving slowly, too.

So, not wanting to let a glorious day go to waste, we hit upon the idea of going to a nice flat park.

Where we hobbled ourselves around, park bench to park bench, taking photos and laughing about how we’ve somehow morphed into old people.

I’m Where I Belong As Autumn Begins. And You?

October 2, 2016October 2, 2016 / Ally Bean / 58 Comments

Take the “What State Do You Actually Belong In” quiz. Find out, for sure, where you belong. In case you’re unclear about this. Or you’re just looking for something to do. Which is how I stumbled upon this quiz. Which turned out to be spot on.

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I’ve often thought that if you don’t like autumn around here, then there’s something dead in your soul.

I can understand not liking our gray, snowy winters. They are dreary and can sap your soul, requiring a certain kind of physical and mental strength that not everyone has.

That some years I don’t have. No problem, there. That I get.

But to not like fall here in Ohio?

That seems most peculiar to me, oh Autumn-haters.

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Here’s what I mean.

Autumn is just beginning around here and already the weather has turned cooler, dropping into the 50s at night, and the humidity is gone. I’m sleeping more soundly at night, windows open, and am wearing sweaters, or fleece, during the day.

A more alert me, and you, is good.

The leaves on the trees and bushes have yet to turn colors, but each day a few leaves fall onto the ground, a precursor of what is to come: bold colors, naked trees and clear blue skies by day + dark starry skies by night.

This will be good, just wait and see.

And what about the fact that fall ushers in HallowThanksMasNewYear, a time of endless candy, cookies, costumes, outfits, and decorations? Hmmm? Had you thought of that, oh Autumn-haters?

Sweetness and sparkle is good for all of us.

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Obviously if you, oh Autumn-haters, insist on not liking this season, despite my ~~thrown together~~ well-reasoned and ~~quickly written~~ impassioned entreaty to change your mind, I will let it go.

Which, I do believe, now that I think about it, is the subtext of this entire season.

Don’t ‘ya know? 😉

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Living The Dream, Going Through The Car Wash

September 22, 2016September 22, 2016 / Ally Bean / 33 Comments

They say “dream big,” but I’m a bit of a contrarian on this point.

You see, I’m blessed with a temperament that enjoys silliness…

and tends to focus on the details of life.

As a result, many of my dreams are small…

like sitting in the car as the car goes through the car wash and taking photos of the process.

And do you know what’s the best part of this small dream?

The fact that it came true.

A Rosy Sunday Morning Walk In An Amazing Park

June 16, 2016July 1, 2025 / Ally Bean / 53 Comments

Just because we were in Columbus OH overnight and just because I remembered going to this park when I was a child and just because it was a gorgeous clear summer morning, we went to the Park of Roses.

Located in Clintonville inside Whetstone Park, the Park of Roses is a 13 acre garden with 11,000 rose bushes, most of which were in bloom while we were there.

The park was as amazing + colorful + beautiful as I remembered it, but what I didn’t remember was that rose scent surrounds you everywhere you walk. All the time.

Below are a few photos that give you, my gentle readers, an idea of the scope of the park and the details of the park. Did I mention it was amazing?

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