I can best describe the weather based on what you need to wear outside to be comfortable. At least 2 months ago, I began wearing gloves for the morning bike ride to church or work. A few weeks later I busted out the uncomplimentary scarf and hat. Last week I decided the season for long johns/long underwear was here. And even though it isn't snowing yet, the time for wearing my sleeping-bag-winter-coat is NOW. Last time I needed the coat was on Easter Sunday when it all of a sudden snowed, but I still insisted on wearing my new spring outfit to church. (yes you may call me stubborn)

The following are parts of a poem read at our Thanksgiving lunch last week which I felt ring particularly true for me to consider sometimes.

If I Had My Life To Live Over by Erma Bombeck
If I had my life to live over, I would have talked less and listened more. (I am more aware these days of when I interrupt someone in our conversation.)
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained and the sofa faded. (I haven't had a proper housewarming party at my new humble-abode because I want it to be sparkling clean and I want to have the perfect meal or finger foods to offer.)
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed. (My reason for not wearing a helmet when biking, or worse not wearing a hat in the now freezing weather.)
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage. (You don't want to know what all I have in storage i.e. at Grandma's.)
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day. (I'm learning the importance of rest when I am sick, but the main statement is also true.)
There would have been more "I love you's".. More "I'm sorrys" ... (Just 10 minutes ago I said the latter, it felt good to be honest and humble about a time when I was wrong.)
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute... look at it and really see it ... live it...and never give it back.

My new nickname by some friends here in Salzburg is Mary Mack because I read children's stories at a local bookstore and one day I got the kids to sing-along as I read this popular story.