Today would have been my Dad’s 90th birthday so I took the day off and drove to Marshall, Michigan for lunch at Win Schuler’s with Connie and Larry. I had two ulterior motives for the trip but mostly just wanted to spend the day away from my normal life to have time for reflection.

I find driving, especially on country roads, really relaxing. I sang, prayed, listened to an audio book, and generally relaxed.

I also stopped at five quilt shops 🙂 Dad loved to tease me about all my detours when traveling. I wouldn’t want to disappoint.

On the way home, I took the backroads, my favorite way to travel. I love country roads. I enjoy looking at barns (I want one!) and country homes. I also saw a brilliant sunset in New Buffalo and enjoyed supper watching the Cubs win game 4. (Dad was a Southsider so he wouldn’t have cared much whether they won or lost.)

I’m always a fair-weather fan of Chicago sports, but this year I have an extra reason for hoping the Cubbies make it to the World Series–and win. Craig Bendelow crossed home plate a couple weeks ago, leaving his earthly shell behind. His cousins had planned to take him to the Cubs game two days later, but God had better plans for him. At his memorial service, Dave Allison had us imagine Craig hitting a home run to win the series, running the bases to receive the accolades of his team and the congratulations of the team’s owner. At that point in the story, Dave stopped and told us that Craig had run his final round of bases and had been welcomed home by the owner (God.) What a cool picture. We’re all hoping the Cubs win it this year in honor of Craig.

Michigan is a bit ahead of Illinois in autumn glory, so I enjoyed the fall foliage as well. It feels like I’m going to be skipping fall this year between our Indian Summer and my plans to travel. (I leave Sunday.) I’ve also been following my Whole 30 eating plan so carmel apples and apple crisp are off limits. Usually I make a small apple crisp several nights in a row during these weeks, but only made one last night for our family celebration of John and my birthdays. I had a small bowl. No pumpkins or Halloween either.

October 13th. What a lovely day.

Happy Birthday Dad.