So, it is Thursday evening and I just realized that I never got around to writing my blog for the week and it is supposed to post in a few hours. No worries, I tell myself, just sit down and write it now. So here I am sitting at the same computer I’ve spent the entire day sitting at and I can’t seem to come up with a single original idea. I’ve decided to take my own advice and just write. The blog is titled Random Thoughts and Meaningless Musings and that is what you are about to get. I figure I’ll just start writing and we’ll see where we end up. Game? There is a giveaway at the end so just bear with me.
It’s windy outside. Really windy. And cold. Fall is definitely in the air. I like the wind. I find the sound it makes as it rustles through the leaves soothing. Of course I don’t like super hard winds since I have like a million really tall pines surrounding my house, but a steady yet gentle breeze is nice.
Interesting side note that popped into my head as I chatted about the sound of the wind, I sleep with my fan on and the sliding door to my bedroom partially open 365 days a year. I like the white noise from the fan and I like to sleep in a cold room. I might be part vampire. My husband has literally had to shovel snow out of the bedroom a few times. I’m not kidding. I mean it’s not deep but it has been known to blow in when the leaves from the trees have fallen and no longer provide a barrier.
Speaking of trees, the trees in my yard are beginning to turn. I know that within a few weeks my landscape will look like the photo I am attaching of my yard last September. Tahoe is beautiful in the fall. The mountainside is covered in red, yellow, and bright orange. It is simply amazing.
Bon Jovi is singing in the background as I bore you with my thoughts. I wish I could say that Jon Bon Jovi was actually in my home serenading me, but it’s just a recording. It’s My Life is currently playing. I really love this song. It is one of my favorites. I especially love the part that says: “It’s my life, it’s now or never, I ain’t gonna live forever.” I think that is an important lyric. I have found that in life it is important not to put stuff off. If you have a dream or a goal work now to make it happen. And yes I do mean work. Most things worth having don’t come easily so don’t wait around for your dreams to fall into your lap cause they probably won’t.
![2ec8c016[1]](https://kathidaleyblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/2ec8c0161.jpg)
(Oh yeah he’ll do!)
Hum, what now? Let’s talk candles. At this moment I have an apple scented candle burning in the background. It smells really nice but I think I’m about ready for pumpkin. I love everything pumpkin. Pumpkin candles, pumpkin desserts, pumpkin lattes, pumpkin decorations. October is by far my favorite of all the months and Halloween in by far my favorite of all the holidays. I’m known as the decorating queen in my family. I love to bring the feel of the season into my home so I change out tabletop displays, placemats, and other adornments on a regular basis.
Of course thoughts of pumpkins leads to thoughts of Halloween. I love everything about the holiday. I especially love to go trick-or-treating with the grandkids. I make a huge pot of chili which warms us from the inside before we head out. There is a neighborhood in Tahoe that is “the” neighborhood to trick-or-treat in. Everyone really does it big in this neighborhood and the decorations are as awesome as the energy generated by thousands of kids going from door to door. I’ve attached a couple of photos from Halloweens past of my grandkids. Aren’t they cute!
Echo is sitting next to me staring at me. I’m pretty sure he is concerned that I have lost my mind and he may be right. One thing is certain and that is he wants me to quit for the day. It has been a long day and I am tired. I can hear my husband and grandkids upstairs in the kitchen so I am betting it is time for dinner. I’m not sure what is on the menu for today but it smells good. So goodnight to all of you and hopefully next week I will be back with something a bit more coherent.
Hugs!!!
Giveaway: Comment below to be entered to win a Halloween in Paradise Mug. I will choose a winner Saturday morning. I will post the winner to both this page (in a comment) and on my main Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/kathidaleybooks
Random Thoughts and Meaningless Musings 
Wonderful post! You have signs of fall, we are celebrating because it’s in the lower nineties here, right in the middle of prime hurricane season. We sleep with fans on also, but can’t have doors or Windows open or we’d have to shovel mosquitoes out every morning!
Yikes. I’m glad I don’t really have to deal with a lot of bugs and mosquitoes.
I’m ready for fall! Not much a fan of pumpkin flavor/scented things, but I do love apple.
I really love both but to me pumpkin means Halloween.
Well you do pretty good work under pressure then because this was a great post. In the south it’s still in the low 90’s and humid, no breezes – ugh! I’m so looking forward to fall and the crisp air. I sleep with a ceiling fan and a table fan, both on high, plus a cool mist humidifier. All this white noise lulls me to sleep. The only other noise in the room is the dogs snoring, which is enough, especially since one sleeps right over my head on her own pillow. I couldn’t leave a door cracked or we’d be eaten up with mosquitoes, plus I see snakes outside quite often, and lizards galore, and while the royal blue lizards are quite cute, I don’t want them in my bed. Can’t wait for pumpkin lattes and hot chocolate and trick or treating, oh, and football!!!
Wow, 90’s. I’m not a fan of weather over 80. Luckily the average summertime temp in Tahoe is the high 70’s. We get 80’s occasionally but rarely do we hit 90.
Lol, Brenda.
🙂
Fall is my favorite season, and I am SO ready!
Yeah, me too.
I loved this post. Sometimes it’s nice just to be in the moment. I wish fall would come quickly here, but it’s still so very hot in Louisiana. Loved the pics. Your grandchildren are adorable!
Thanks. Those were old photos. They are a few years older now but still so much fun!
What a wonderful blog, Kathi … I loved reading it and there wasn’t a single boring sentence or thought. I love the fall season and it sounds like it’s definitely in the air for you. Sadly, for those of us living in North Texas, they are predicting high 90’s and possibly even a 100 degree day next week. Thank you for all your generous giveaways, awesome books, and sharing part of your life with us. 🙂
100 degrees? I would melt. Literally. Anything over 80 is too hot for me.
My favorite JBJ song is still “Blaze of Glory.” Don’t know why, just love it. Honestly though…hasn’t written a song I don’t like and he just gets better with age.
For me, fall isn’t so much about pumpkins as it is Apple Fest at our local orchard. We take the kids there every year and over-dose on caramel apples, apple slushies and apple pies. HEAVEN! And then yes, we buy a few pumpkins. My four year old son requires them for pies. He can eat a WHOLE pie by himself. True story.
Happy pre-fall and thanks for another give-away. ❤
Yeah I love Blaze of Glory too. In fact I agree, I love all his songs. And what a babe! Apple Fest sounds fun. We have a place in our area called Apple Hill. It’s similar in that you can buy apples and there are events and tons of yummy treats to eat. Now I can’t wait for October!
Jill, I’m in Texas, near Houston. As you know, we’ll see our 15 minutes of Fall in late October. However, I’m going to decorate for fall this weekend. Lol
I guess you can have fall indoors with the AC on. 🙂
Love your post! Fall is my favorite season as well. So cozy! Thanks for the chance to win this mug.
Thank you for responding Becky.
Sorry, who is JBJ?
Jon Bon Jovi.
I love fall and Halloween is my favorite holiday. I really have a great time decorating every year. I do miss my nieces being little though because i made their costumes every year. Kathy I love candles and use them all the time. I have quite a few tart burners and like trying out new scents, I think it’s time to start shopping for fall scents.
Taryn I just got a new Yankee Candle catalogue in the mail yesterday. Lots of fun stuff!
Great blog!! I do love the Fall colors. If it could stay Spring or Fall, wouldn’t it be a wonderful world. I don’t and can’t do the cold well. Halloween is my girls favorite holiday and they have made me more excited for it. I use to be a Christmas girl, but Halloween is really fun. Your grands are precious! Aren’t grands just the best?
Grands are the best! I have a lot of fun with my crew.
I love the fall, it’s my favorite time of year. Unfortunately in Nashville we don’t seem to get much of one. The weather cools the trees begin to turn, then we get hit with hot weather again, then back to cool and it ricochets for a few weeks, the trees get tired of to trying to figure out what is going on and they throw their leaves down in disgust. LOL. I love pumpkin flavored anything, the scent of pumpkin, I’m ready.
Take a drive up to the Blue Ridge Mountains. I’ve been there a few times in fall. It is spectacular.
We actually lived in Lynchburg for a year and were able to do that a few times, absolutely gorgeous.
This was a really great blog. When you ramble you do it in an informative and funny way that is entertaining. I hope we have a long, long fall and very short winter. Fall and spring are my favorite months.
I agree. I love snow around the holidays but then I’m done with it. Of course most years we have it into April at least.
I really enjoy reading your blog. I love decorating for fall. I got some cinnamon apple potpourri for my living room and pumpkin kitchen towels for the kitchen!
Fun. I haven’t done potpourri in a long time. What a good idea.
It brightens my day to read your musings although they are random they are so interesting and gives a glimpse of what your everyday life is and that aspects are similar to mine..fan going and window open lol
I’ve found I’m not alone in the fan/window club. 🙂
I live in Florida unfortunately I never get to see the fall colors. I use to live up north in Boston. We would all jump in our old station wagon and head to New Hampshire when we were kids. We would go to the White Mountains and walk among the colorful beautiful trees . So many colors Red. Orange and some still green. Fall has always been my favorite time of year the smells the colors oh my. Love going to grab a pumpkin latte along with a delicious pumpkin muffin or treat made of pumpkin from doughnuts to cheese cake pie so many to choose to call. Can’t wait to start lighting my candle spreading pumpkin joy. I Enjoyed your random thoughts on this blog it shows it came from your heart.
New England in the fall is the best. We decided to do Alaska this fall but have definite plans to do New England in October 2016.
You definitely had random thoughts. Fall does not feel too near here in southeastern Virginia with temps still in the 90’s, no leaves turning and no pumpkins out yet. But good news is no hurricanes either. Happy Labor Day Wee.
I’m glad about the no hurricanes.
We love fall too! Other then having to rake up all the leaves. We grew pumpkins and they are quite large this year! Love the smell of pumpkin candles and wax melts. We use wax melts more with the electric warmers – safer for our silly cats. Also love sleeping with the windows open unless the naughty skunk comes through our yard. There is nothing more horrible then to wake up to smell of fresh skunk spray!
Ew. I agree. I wouldn’t want to wake up to skunk. Awesome about the pumpkins. Take a photo before you harvest them and post it on my Facebook page.
I truly love the magic and beauty of Fall here in Michigan. I am just not happy with what comes after……
I’ve been to Michigan in the fall. It is absolutely gorgeous.
I love Fall! My family moved to Florida, and the one thing they no longer enjoy is the true changing of the seasons here in California. The various hues of the trees, the cooling temperatures, the Halloween displays, the apples, pumpkins, and…bags of candy that all seem to go on sale. I love Fall!
Fall really is the best time of year.
We have been to Tahoe in the fall and it was wonderful. Cooler weather, pretty colors. I love pumpkins and fall decorations, and my friend has a great Halloween party every year. Definitely a fun time of the year!
Halloween parties are the best!
Wow I love the Fall also as I am one who likes the cooler weather and also has the fan going as I like to have noise and also the cold air in the bedroom. Fall in Tahoe is just wonderful leaves are so pretty it is like here in eastern Iowa where the leaves turn those pretty colors. For someone who didn’t know what to write and a few hours left you did a great job. I also am one to decorate although when we moved up here on top of the hill noone come up here so I got in a down mood for decorating. My own kids and grandkids live in Calif but my grandson always gives me in his own way of talking a rundown of what he and his guardian did and if he had a party at school for Halloween. He is in 4th grade and I just love to talk to him and also hear his voice on the phone he is also in a rural area in Anderson ,Ca but he loves it there. I just miss having people over and also have people trick or treat at our home it is so fun. In Calif we lived on a corner and so we had just tons of treaters come to the door and loved it as decorating and then putting on a witches hat or something fun was great. I just love everything pumpkin love going to Olive Garden for their pumpkin cheesecake my girlfriend and I were talking about that yesterday that next Wednesday on our Wednesday night out we would have to go there and get it. Take care and have a good Holiday Weekend Stay Safe as I know that Tahoe is packed on the holiday weekend!
Pumpkin Cheesecake sounds perfect. We don’t have an Olive Garden here but there is one in Carson City which is about 45 minutes down the mountain.
I love autumn, too. Here in Iowa, it will be cool in the mornings and evenings and sometimes quite warm at midday. The leaves turn color and I get to wear some of my beautiful autumn clothing, too.
I need to get my fall and winter clothes out. It’s been chilly here so I think it is time.
I love fall. All the wonderful scents and beautiful fall colors are amazing. Apple scents are one of my favorite. I was just thinking earlier in the week how I am looking forward to the cooler weather and a trip to the local apple orchard. They not only have amazing apples, but lots of fun things for the kids to do. My kiddo’s are grown now but I have wonderful memories of taking them there for school and family trips. One of the other favorite places at the orchard is their bakery. OH MY!! It’s a little slice of heaven for all things apple. Pies, turnovers, donuts, fritters, apple butter, and my all time favorite apple dumplings! So yummy!!
You are making me hungry.
I always enjoy your Random Thoughts and Musings; this was no exception.
Fall is my favorite season too.
🍁🍂🍁🏈🍁🍂🍁🏈🍁🍂🍁
Thank you Maryann.
I love your random thoughts! Glad to know someone else has thoughts like I do.
LOL. I guess our thinking process is pretty random you just don’t know how random until you start free writing.
I love the fall season too..I live in NC so part of the state are the beautiful mountains and the beautiful ocean side..I am on ocean side and although it is still beautiful it’s not the mountains..I also sleep with a fan in winter..and the colder the room the better ..I wish my grandkids were closer but they are in Tenn and my other 3 children are in no hurry to give me more which I am ok with..lol as they are still babies 26, 25 and 21..so we have time..I’ve been thinking of doing a blog but I would just ramble about family and well it might get a tad boring..I’m behind on your books until I get a new kindle but I have a wish list..have a great day and I enjoyed your random thoughts..
I’ve been to upstate New York in the fall. It’s beautiful.
cold there huh…. well I live in ohio and we are finally getting the summer we never had. it is hot hot hot! 90’s for the next 3 days and I am loving it!!! my vacation was aweful and less than swimmable weather so this weekend, after chores and tending to my parents and 13 year old dog… I am heading out to my 23 year old ricky above ground pool. so bring it on with the hot temps the next 3 days. I too love pumpkins and all things fall but I am not ready to give up on the summer we have never had until now. 🙂
Bummer about the slow start to summer. We had a slow start as well but we did have some temps in the low 80’s in August. That is enough for me.
Nice post. Many good points. We change settings often here as well, to go with the season’s. Pumpkin is also a favorite here, along with peaches any time of the year. But your post also gave me a bit of sadness. You made an important point. My Dad, back in the 50’s, would tell us kids. If you do not go after what you want, you will never have it. If you don’t ask the answer will always be NO. If you do not step forward you will always be last. Success is a matter of backbone, not wishbone. And it is elbow grease will get you there. And, as you mentioned, never put off until tomorrow what you can do today, because tomorrow never comes. Have heard those in one form or another for decades. But until you published your “Random Thoughts” today, had not realized, I have rarely heard those old saws expressed in the past 20, 30 years or so. Too, too many expect the world handed to them on a silver platter. Many parents want their kids to have what they didn’t have and so spoiled them. Which is why when you see kids DOING things today, being creative, it is such a joy. Other than that. There is so much in each season to enjoy. Each has it own beauty. It’s own pleasures. Summer? Read under the trees. Spring? Read on the porch. Winter? Read by the fireplace with a cup of hot choc in one hand and cat on lap. And BOOKS!!! Without our books we would be stuck at home, not touring the universe. I am looking forward to your next one. On another page you were talking about covers. The cover is what encourages us to pick up the book. The blurb is what encourages us to look within. And it is the known, good writer that gets looked at first. THEN we look to others. And since meeting Chatting About Cozies and you and a couple of others I have found dozens of new writers, new books, and my kids are rolling their eyes and telling me. We need a bigger house to ‘house’ all the books I’ve been getting. We are running out of space. Because you can never have to many books. And I always have at least one on hand. And if I am half way through a book, I keep another one handy so I won’t have to do without. Inspite of it all. The house work gets done. Learned decades ago to clean as you go so you don’t have to go back and do. That takes twice as much time and elbow grease. Enjoy your day.
I’m so happy that you found us and are enjoying cozy mysteries. I really love writing them.
Looking forward to cooler weather. I did get my first Pumpkin Spice latte on the 1st, I don’t get many but it hit the spot. Thanks for your random thoughts and musings.
Thank you Barbara.
Well, it’s been a wetter than normal summer for us, but now, of course, it’s pushing 90 degrees, but then that isn’t that unusual here in Northeast Ohio. The only thing you can expect is that things won’t be what you expect! We have a few leaves coming down, but no real color yet. I love early fall, it’s usually 65-75 for the high and upper 50’s for lows. Late fall starts to get challenging as by the time we get into early November, snow is always a possibility and all the leaves might not be off the trees yet, leading to difficulty getting the yard free of leaf piles. It gets too cold here in the winter to even think of leaving a door or window open. Last Feburary, turned out to be the coldest ever recorded here- although I am sure it was colder when this area was under the glacier- we had days when it didn’t even make it to a high of zero. I am hoping for a “normal” fall and winter, but we will see what happens.
We had the mildest winter in my memory last year. We usually get around 400 inches of snow and I bet we didn’t get more than 10 inches total for the entire winter. Weird.
Fall is my favorite time of year!!! I also sleep with a fan and an open window all year long, except for this summer, because we had air conditioning for the first time in 4 years.
I’m finding there are a lot of us that love our fans. I take a fan with me when I travel. Gotta have it.
I love seeing all your fall pictures and all the candles for fall . Everything is still green around our area now , but it want be long till the trees are turning . I love your books on Halloween . Would love to win the beautiful mug . Thanks for the chance .
Thanks for commenting Liz.
I usually want summer to last forever since where I live it’s pretty short, but I must say your random musings made me long for fall. You also brought back a beautiful memory for me – I visited Tahoe in the fall one year and while out driving around looking at the fall leaf colors happened on a bride and groom getting their wedding pics taken with the fall color as a backdrop – every time I see fall colors I think of them and how beautiful their wedding pics must have been.
Wow, I bet those were awesome photos. Fall really is the best.
Starting to look forward to Halloween too. Last year we started painting our pumpkin teal. This is to show trick or treaters we are not giving out candy but some other treat. Some kids are so allergic the candy can kill them. Now they can trick or treat too. We gave out finger puppets. The teens even seemed to like them. Don’t know how to top it.
What a great idea.
What cute little goblins in your pictures. I love Halloween because of the little ones and their costumes. It is so great to see the smile on their faces. robeader53@yahoo.com
Those photos are a few years old but they’re still pretty adorable (don’t tell my 13 year old grandson I called him adorable.)
Sometimes it is just good to ramble, it keeps us human. Fall is my favorite time of year. Halloween is my favorite holiday. My house is already decorated for Halloween. It looks absolutely beautiful where you live, I’m so jealous!!!! 🙂
I really haven’t started to decorate the house yet since I’ve been writing so much but maybe this weekend. I think it is time for the summer décor to go back into the closet.
I decorate for every holiday as well. Our house is transformed at Halloween and Christmas.
Isn’t it fun to decorate!
Love Halloween, even though here in Florida is still is usually pretty warm. I so enjoy the little ones in their costumes. I love decorating even though as I get older I don’t go as crazy with the outdoors, no more grave yards, but just have to put out all my witches! Having so much rain & heat, very jealous of the those with cooler weather and changing of the leaves.
It’s nice that you make the best of it even with the heat.
Loved the blog and really enjoyed all the fall pictures! Looks like you have a lovely fall there! I’m jealous!
It really is nice here in the fall.
Upstate NY has many trees already changing and leaves everywhere. Very sad the summer is done 😦
Ah, one of those who wish for eternal summer. I think I’m ready to move on. 🙂
I love when you post random thoughts. They tend to be quite interesting. The Chicago area is starting to show signs of Fall, but weather wise, we are getting true Midwestern summer heat and humidity now. In our home we actually treasure each breath. Many respected physicians have frequently reminded Tom and me that every morning when our daughters awaken, there is hope for another day. Our daughters, on the other hand, tell me (but don’t have to) that they are so thankful that their Mom is still alive and home after too many very close calls over the past 14 months. Yes, each day, no matter what challenges it brings, is a blessing.Other then a door hanging, since our children are young adults, we only decorate for Christmas, but try to do something special with our daughters and granddaughter for each season/holiday. Ina week The Wizard of Oz fest is coming to town. I can’t go, but the girls, Gianna and my husband will have some fun. They have already posted photos of the yellow brick road in the making. Kristen and Gianna will be sporting Dorothy dresses (and I suspect a service dog will serve as Toto!
Wizard of Oz fest? That sounds awesome. I’m sorry you can’t attend but, like your daughters, I too am glad that you are with us. 🙂
Fall here in Texas is pretty much like our summer. Hot and humid. I do enjoy seeing all the beautiful fall decorations. Someone from California asked me today if Texas has a thing for pumpkins . She said that she couldn’t believe all the things relevant to pumpkins here. We have cookies, candles, and everything pumpkin scented you can think of. All I could think of to say to her was” Texas doesn’t really have a winter, so we pretend by hsbing lots of pumpkins around in different forms to make us think cold weather is coming.” She laughed and said ” oh that makes total sense. ” I laughed all the way home.
I love that. If you don’t have a natural fall make your own. Enjoy the pumpkins!
I already have all my pumpkin candles out and I am totally ready for Halloween! My table cover is now falls leaves and I am going to make leaf shaped placemats for the table in fall colors! I also must sleep with the fan but my husband doesn’t like it so I usually wait until he falls asleep and I turn it back on! Your grandkids are absoultely adorable in their costumes!
Leaf shaped placemats sound fun. My talent is limited to writing, I’m afraid I can’t sew at all.
I am a fan sleeper myself, can’t sleep without one. I love the noise and usually pack a small one with me on vacations.
Yeah, me too. I never go anywhere without my fan. I had a really nice one that I had to leave with a woman in a coffee shop in Maui two springs ago. I bought so many gifts for the family that I ran out of room in my suitcase so I was trying to carry the fan onto the plane but that didn’t work so I just handed it to a woman who was SOOO happy to get it. I guess it worked out okay since she swore she really needed a fan.
The winner of the mug for this week is Linda Mierka. Congrats. Please email me at kathidaley@kathidaley.com with a mailing address.
I agree with you about fall, it is my favorite too. High school football games (half time shows), marching band competitions, leaves color change, the decorations, and Halloween.
Love it!