*decides to pop in and say "I'm glad the Square's pace is returning to it's roots... feels more like the days when I joined."*

And like Jo said, it's easier for me to keep up with your lives this way. Otherwise, I wouldn't even lurk like I've been doing lately. I'd say "forget it" and ditch this place again. And I always hate doing that... always wonder how you all are, what you're up to...

Mely, is it showing my age that when I saw the book title (Growing Pains) all I thought of was the tv show?

Anyway, I thought I should drop by and tell you I'm alive.

Let's see, what else? Everything else I'd have to say, I've mentioned elsewhere. Namely: friday night's Breath of Soul concert!!! (if you want to see the last song, when the high school choir kids sang with them, let me know. Jo, it's the one I showed you already)

Oh, but here is something I haven't said elsewhere yet...
sunday night was fun. I love how we bring "freshies" (the freshmen) into the youth group. *mischievous smirk* Oh, I can't hold it in anymore...

*stops, catches breath... thinks of Noah's reaction, and bursts out in more uncontrollable laughter*

Ok, I better go. I have other posts to make, and other things I was in the middle of doing. so, yeah. bye for now!

hint for if you want me to stick around: ask me about BOS. I can never resist promoting them. What can I say? I'm a biased best fwend, and I want everyone to know how amazing Davey and the guys are.

As the wise old frog said, "Time's fun when you're having flies."

Chug-a-rum, chug-aaaaaa-rum!

Mel, your description of the hill across from you makes my heart beat faster! How lovely!

That's one chocolate-y face! Adorable.

Poggin, yay, you're back!

This year I'm duel enrolled in a community college, so I get high school credit and college credit at the same time.

Excellent! In what areas are you interested for a vocation eventually?

PA, I'm glad (but so not surprised) that you enjoyed the BOS concert!

So, after one majorly humid day this past week (far better than the month of July, though, which was all and total humidity ), we're settling into nice fall weather: steady rain today, much cooler, a fresh breath in the air,, viewing the night sky is more accessible. Ahhhh ...

Which reminds me to leave a warm apple crisp for the taking. Please share.

Which also reminds me that I bought my first Honeycrisp apples the other day. ♥

Hey, pogginfan! Glad to see you drop by the Square. Your ATLA avatar reminds me of how good that show was. Have you seen any of the newer series The Legend of Korra?

...is it showing my age...

*whistles innocently*

Glad you got to go to the Breath of Soul concert, PA, and to meet the guys. Sounds like a great time!

Mmmm, apple crisp! Thanks, jo. Just a couple weeks now until I make the annual orchard pilgrimage and get some Honeycrisp (or even SweeTango) of my own.

The weather, after last week's near-100 temps, has certainly changed to fit the season. No frost here just yet, but it may not be long now. Crisp, partly-cloudy days and cool nights, with some leaves changing colors (a little early due to the drought). This is one of my favorite times of the year!

*grabs a couple apples, leaving the chocolate for others*

PA, I'm glad (but so not surprised) that you enjoyed the BOS concert!

This ^ made me grin. (and chuckle)

And yes, thanks muchly for the apple crisp, Jo! *loves apple crisp*

Poggy, I know I didn't say it earlier, but: I REMEMBER YOU!! WELCOME HOME!!! ("home" being Nweb)

...is it showing my age...

*whistles innocently*

Glad you got to go to the Breath of Soul concert, PA, and to meet the guys. Sounds like a great time!

More like revisit the guys.

As I've said before (elsewhere), I grew up with one of them. And two of them I've known (though not well) since they were singing together in college. (as 5one) One of them, has only been with the group a few years, but I know him a bit too. Apparently they know ME, though... why do I say that?

Well, let's take their reactions to seeing me:
David-
I had been trying to get his attention for ages... but it was so crowded, it took awhile. But when he finally had no people in his vicinity, I said "David Charles!" and he whipped around, grinned, and goes "Who is THAT?" (meaning me) and I was like "DAAAVIIIIDD!!!" and he goes "Come 'ere!" and gave me a bear hug.

(keep in mind we've known each other since we were 8 and 12 years old. and barely get to see each other these days )

Then we took a picture. More high schoolers came up to him by then, so I turned to...

Jake-
Got a huge smile on his face when he saw me, gave me a big hug, and asked how I was. We talked a bit, and then he went to find Tony for me. (I wanted a picture with all four. the last time I'd seen them, two years ago, I was only able to gather three of them for a picture) While he did that...

Jesse-
I turned to the next one, Jesse, and he too hugged me and seemed happy I was there. And we talked for a bit. At some point, Mom came and got me and said "Seriously, we have to go now if we want to go to Dairy Queen". And Davey pointed out that they had to start heading toward the cd table. So, I went out there with them. Which is where...

Tony-
I finally got to say hi to Tony and get my picture with all four guys!

Random concert stuffs:
I remember that whenever the girls in the room screamed, and whistled and all that, I was half amused... and half feeling protective. Every time this happened, I would shake my head, and think to myself... "Silly girls... don't they know ALL FOUR OF THEM are taken already? Kids!"

(Jesse is married and has kids, Tony is married, Jake is married and has a baby on the way, and Davey is engaged... plus has an adorable little girl from his first marriage)

Speaking of Davey's Madison...
I saw her there on our way to the cd table. And Mom and I stopped to say hi. So, I leaned down "Hiya, Madi! Do you remember me?" "Yeah" "Can I have a hug?" "Uh-huh" and with that, she gave me a quick hug. (She seemed shy around my mom, though. but she's seen her even less than she's seen me) Frankly, I'm surprised she even remembered me. We rarely see her, and she's only around four or five years old. Six at the oldest (but I don't think she's that old).

............
Actually, I hope you guys don't mind, but I do have something on my mind. And talking helps... and you guys are some of the most understanding people I know.

So, as some of you have probably guessed by now (thanks to facebook and the "Make Your Day" thread in SO), I'm kind of in a bit of a funk. Ok, a huge funk!

The church choirs starting up for the fall, Davey's concert, his sister getting married about a month ago and moving away, and another friend of ours having her first baby... it's got me all wacky.

I mean, I always miss our old group... it's always in the back of my mind somewhere... that we're all grown up and they're gone. The shallowness or deepness tends to vary, but it's ever-present... my missing them. But times like right now, prompted by the above, it smacks me in the face... becomes almost all I think about. Almost unbearable, so that I'm almost always crying.

But it's kind of hard not to think about it! I mean, when you sing with people from grade school through til college, and then they're suddenly gone... even if it's been around a decade since it quit, it still feels as painful as when it first split. Especially when you are as close and in sync with each other as we were. (and still are)

Most of you know that I've been a part of choirs at church since grade school, school from grade school through college, and even community theatre groups, if you can count those. (Like when I did the Madrigal dinner last december) But I have NEVER in my life, during it's run or since, had another group like that one.

B.I.G. Choir (stands for Believers in God) was special. Unique. Irreplaceable. Unmatchable. We knew each other as friends and as singers so well, that everything we did was by instinct. Our voices blended perfectly... we could anticipate what the rest would do... we could immeadiately adjust if one spontaneously changed something for fun. We were there for every up and down each of us went through for most of our lives.

We were there for birthdays, concerts, sports things, holidays. When relatives or pets died. For youth group activities, graduations (8th and 12th grades), confirmation, weddings, births of children. Or even just because... like when we'd watch Sister Act at someone's house. Or when my sister got her driver's license on my birthday, and our first stop was Davey's house to see him and his sister. Or when my sister had the idea that they all could throw me a surprise birthday party in our basement.

I guess what I'm trying to say, is that we were more than "just some choir"... more than just even mere friends. We were a family. We bickered, stood up for each other, held each other when we cried, jumped up and down together when full of joy. Shared the laughter and the tears. Still do... but it's harder when separated by many miles. And by jobs. And schooling. And Breath of Soul.

Don't get me wrong... I love where we're at now. We all have things we love to do, most of them have amazing little families of their own. We're happy. And there are perks to being the grown ups for once. But a big part of me still wants to go back... even if for an hour. A minute. I miss them so much it hurts. So much that sleeping is hard. That I can't stop listening to our old songs, or watching our old "concerts" on tape. They're a part of me... I was used to seeing them "Every day but Saturday". And even though that time has long since past... even though part of me is used to our current state... it still hurts. It's like a part of me is missing. Not just them... but ME.

Like those times I told you about when we would sing? We weren't five individuals (the core group). We weren't 8-10 individuals (when we had more). It was like we were one person... thought, moved, sang, felt... LIVED as one. You can't have that ripped from you and have it not be weird. So, it happened ages ago... at times like these past few weeks (especially the last several days), it feels like it was yesterday.

I have one comfort in all this... I know I'm not the only one feeling it. David's sister told me she misses us too... jumped at my idea of planning a "Reunion Concert" (even though we know it could be a few years down the road). And the others might not say it... but I can see it in their eyes whenever we happen to be together for some reason. Like the concert, or Heidi's brother's college grad party recentlyish, or Christmas or Easter. We don't always speak of it... but I can just FEEL that we all still aren't fully over the split. And to be honest, I don't think we ever will be used to it... not fully. We might get used to the new patterns of our lives... but I don't think that we won't notice that a part of each of us has a huge hole.

...
Sorry to dump all this on you guys. And my intention is not to bring anyone down. But I also know that whenever I am hurting, you guys have been there to lift me back up. Kind of like they did. And it helps. Like, I've been talking to Rosie about the group a lot... and she's even feeling a bit of it just because she knows what that must have been like for us. And because she says she can feel the bond through our songs. She told me that she's jealous she wasn't a part of it. That she couldn't be there to see us interact off-stage, or perform. Her saying all that brings such peace in the midst of the crazy of my thoughts. And so I guess... why not share it with you? Sharing the bad times lessens the load. Just like sharing the good times multiplies the joy. So, yeah. If you could pray for me... and I guess the whole group... that'd be great. Thanks for being such great friends! Thanks for listening! You're the best!

and wow, if you made it through all that, you deserve a medal! and a cookie!

A very happy Mortereve to y'all. As I am sitting at work with nothing better to do, I thought I'd look in on the Square and see how things are going. Alas, it has been far too long since I have been on here. Which, as I well know, is no one's fault but my own. And (on a totally random note) I'm way too used to typing reports. I keep double spacing between sentences. Regardless.

*sends special to Aunty Jo*
That crisp looks amazing. Had my first Honeycrisp apples of the season as well with my sister the other day. I'm not sure who was more ecstatic about it.

*waves to Princess Anna*
I know this is going to sound horribly cliche, but separation from loved ones is one of the aspects of life. They will be missed, as well as times spent with them. That being said, it also helps us to appreciate the time we can spend with them even more. Unfortunately, we can't go back. But we can keep those memories, even though we move on, and look forward to the times that we do get to spend with them. Growing, while beneficial to us, isn't always easy, especially when it means being separated from family, whether related by blood or not. Of course, you probably already knew all that. Not really sure if that was at all helpful or not.

In regards to the weather........it's been cooler here (as compared to having heat indexes of about 110, a welcome change), in the range of upper 80's/lower 90's. Rather wondering if we are going to have an early fall/winter. Can't wait for the high's to be in the upper 60's/lower 70's. Probably (hopefully) within another few weeks.

*waves to anyone else who might be around*

Hey, Atamar! Great to see you stop by the site and the Town Square!

It sounds so hot down there. Lower 90s can happen early in September here, but by the end of the month it would be pretty rare. We're more likely to get a little frost on the pumpkin instead.

Wow,that's a very detailed and thoughtful post, PA. I hope sharing it here (and writing it out) helps. (Madison sounds really cute...as little girls her age often are). Thanks for telling us about your evening with BOS.

Apples...apples...really must get some. I think the orchard visits commence next week in these here parts.

Hey ho!

You know, I think I adopted that "hey ho" from Orious. Remember her? She used to post the most wonderfully MAMMOTH posts in the Square with a gazillion smilies. I miss her!

I make the annual orchard pilgrimage and get some Honeycrisp (or even SweeTango) of my own.

Mmm, yes, I'm enjoying a Honeycrisp daily: they're so utterly crisp and delectable ... and quite pricey. I don't know if we have SweeTangos up here. I'll have to keep an eye out. It was you and ceppault who introduced me to Honeycrisps a few years ago. I'm forever grateful.

Alas, it has been far too long since I have been on here.

Yes, it has! 'Tis grand to see you here in the ol' Town Square. And I really appreciate your paragraph on friendships, memories, and seasons of life.

PA, I'm glad you feel free to share in the Square. Keep moving forward, while treasuring the memories!

Wow, Ata, you've still got it really warm, not surprisingly as you're more than a day's drive south of us! Last night, the temperatures hit 6C/42.8F—very fresh with awesome night/pre-dawn skies; daytimes are around 16C/60.8F. The trees are more than blushing now. Early turners are going strong, simply gorgeous, yet there are many that are just starting, while some have not even begun yet, such as our crimson maple out front. I think we won't be raking its leaves off the ground until November. It's one of the last to turn. How I love a long, full, gorgeous, cool-weather fall-time!

Must get autumn avvy and sig set up soon!

*leaves a plate of seasonally-shaped cookies for all to enjoy*

I don't know if SweeTangos have made it your way yet, jo. The University's keeping the hybrid rather close to the vest right now.

Our run of truly wonderful autumn weather continues, though wind and rain are forecast for next Thursday so I may need to plan all my orchard/color peeping/campfire/stargazing trips to come before then. I just love the weather this time of year and it goes by all too fast.

It was 80F/27C today, way above average but quite easy to handle given the very low humidity we have right now. As I mentioned in the astronomy thread, today's Twins baseball game ended shortly before sunset, and while riding the train back home I had a great view of tonight's big bright Harvest Moon on the rise in one direction, and the twilit Minneapolis skyline on the other. It was hard to beat!

There's a large maple tree right outside my bedroom window, and its color seems to be advancing day by day - almost hour by hour.

I do remember Orious, jo....not to mention Jints, who once upon a time had those wonderful "It's Friday!" posts here in the Square.

*leaves a basket of apples and chocolate, and vanishes*

*appears in the Square, wearing her familiar cape, and waves to her dear, dear friends*

How are you all doing? It's been so long since I posted in here, but I've been lurking all the same. I've missed this!

I'm also totally loving fall. The leaves are changing, the air is cool and refreshing, and I'm enjoying it so much. Looking forward to what October and November bring (especially NaNo ).

I also remember Orious, and miss her as well. She actually is the one who encouraged me to try for 50k in my second year of NaNo. I wasn't going to attempt it, but I ended up writing 25k in the last 4 days or something. It was craziness. But I appreciate her encouragement so much and if it hadn't been for her words, egging me on to keep going, I probably wouldn't have made 50k that year, and my writing may not be the same as it is now.

Well, I look forward to chatting with you all again! Hopefully the Square will return to the days of its former glory. *pours everyone a cup of apple cider, waves, and poofs*

I don't know if SweeTangos have made it your way yet, jo.

Guess what? I found some at the store yesterday! I bought a couple and will try the taste this weekend sometime. However, I have entire stashes of Honeycrisps in the two fridges, 'cause they remain my favourite. ♥ Have I mentioned that before?

I just love the weather this time of year and it goes by all too fast.

A hearty (and rather melancholy) DITTO there!

while riding the train back home I had a great view of tonight's big bright Harvest Moon on the rise in one direction, and the twilit Minneapolis skyline on the other. It was hard to beat!

That sounds awesome, wow! A beautiful treat.

Yesterday here was almost humid, but today the temperatures are dropping, with our low on Sunday night heading very close to freezing. There could easily be snow flurries just north of us, up the escarpment (Niagara escarpment, that is).

Mountie! I admire those of you who are so dedicated to NaNo. That's wonderful!

But I appreciate her encouragement so much and if it hadn't been for her words, egging me on to keep going, I probably wouldn't have made 50k that year, and my writing may not be the same as it is now.

Sounds similar to what Lewis did for Tolkien in consistently prodding him in the writing of The LotR. JRR wrote that if it wasn't for CSL's persistent encouragement, he doubts whether he would have ever finished that long tale.

Well, it's Canadian Thanksgiving this weeknd. Some years it can be relatively warm; this year, not so at all. I much prefer the latter. And in honour of this joyous occasion, I leave a very profound pictorial thought:

Mountie! I admire those of you who are so dedicated to NaNo. That's wonderful!

Jo! Hello! How are you doing?

Ah, yes. We're either dedicated or completely crazy. But seriously, thank you! Your admiration is very appreciated.

Sounds similar to what Lewis did for Tolkien in consistently prodding him in the writing of The LotR. JRR wrote that if it wasn't for CSL's persistent encouragement, he doubts whether he would have ever finished that long tale.

So does that mean I'll be the next Tolkien, then? But no, in all seriousness, I love that story! Thanks for sharing. It's so true; I've discovered that writers need encouragement along the journey, especially myself. I've found that many of my novels don't get finished if not for the support I've found in my friends (and their persistent reminders to just get that story done already! ) I love my writer friends... and I love writing. This fall will hopefully be amazing when it comes to my novels and their progress. (One can hope, anyway.)

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving to you, dear Jo! And a very merry unbirthday to everyone else.

*chuckles at jo's Thanksgiving picture*

Enjoy your Thanksgiving weekend jo! (I've long thought the Canadian timing makes more sense, as a harvest holiday, since the growing season is over here in these Northern climes).

Winds exceeding 45 mph knocked a lot of our leaves down, but the huge maple just outside my window still gives the light a golden hue. Still pretty!

I'm looking forward to NaNo as well, Mountie! It's a lot of fun even if my 'winning percentage' is only .333 so far.

I believe we had our first frost last night, though I've not had confirmation yet. Some areas north of here - including the small town of Karlstad in far northwest Minnesota, which was fighting wildfires just days ago - got up to 14 inches of snow yesterday. They even closed some of the schools up there.

Some areas north of here - including the small town of Karlstad in far northwest Minnesota, which was fighting wildfires just days ago - got up to 14 inches of snow yesterday. They even closed some of the schools up there.

Karlstad? *blinks*

Minnesota, makes sense.
There's a Karlstad in Sweden as well. I've been there a few times shopping. It's the largest city in that county of Sweden (one of the counties along the Norwegian border), and it's got a university.

But it hasn't got any snow yet this fall
Nor has Oslo, and I wouldn't miss it if we didn't get any at all. I'll accept a little, enough to give people a White Christmas, but after that they can travel to the mountains if they want to go skiing, they needn't do it here.

And there's no need for ice on the pavement/sidewalk.

*wanders into the square*

the last time I was here was a looooooooong time ago *waves to everyone* I hope everyone is enjoying autumn, so far I am, though I have to admit that I'm not really looking forward to the days when it will get colder, right now it's very nice outside

Looking forward to what October and November bring (especially NaNo ).

I'm looking forward to NaNo too

I've had such a tight schedual these days, I've to SO much homework to catch up on but as you can see instead of doing it I'm procrastinating on NW I've got a hard time with homework these days cause my main teacher has his own sort of view points on graphic design and they don't really agree with mine. He's REALLY into advertising and I just CAN'T stand it I've got to make three posters and three album covers and while he tells me that I have total creative freedom, what he means is I have creative freedom provided that I do things the way he wants them, which can be a bit discouraging at times, cause I had some ideas that other teachers told me were good, but because they didn't fit with his standard I had to discard them *sighs* ah well, I've got some other great teachers Narnian_Archer and I went to the internation exibition of graphic design being held here, and it was great fun and very helpful. I enjoyed the French section best

I believe we had our first frost last night, though I've not had confirmation yet.

we've had frost in the mornings since the beginning of October makes getting up and traveling to college not so much fun *is not a big fan of the cold*

Some areas north of here - including the small town of Karlstad in far northwest Minnesota, which was fighting wildfires just days ago - got up to 14 inches of snow yesterday. They even closed some of the schools up there.

snow already!!!! Am I glad I don't live there If we're lucky our snow season will begin late this year as it did last year

I suppse I should go attack my homework, I've got to present it to my teacher tomorrow.
*leaves a basket of chocolets*

Gooood morning Town Square!!

Guess what? I found some [SweeTango apples] at the store yesterday! I bought a couple and will try the taste this weekend sometime. However, I have entire stashes of Honeycrisps in the two fridges, 'cause they remain my favourite. ♥

It may be after 1 am here but after reading the posts on the last page I'm hungry for apple crisp.

My orchard trips this year have been somewhat disappointing as many were hit hard by the bad growing season, but I did find some SweeTango apples at my local [insert name of large Minnesota-based discount retailer here ]. Crisp, crunchy, and sweet! Yum!!

I'm also looking forward to NaNo, now that I have a plot idea. Not sure it'll take me to 50k words, but I'm going to give it a shot. And it'll have a happy ending this year.

We may have had some frost last week but today (Sunday) was way above average - 71F/22C. There is rain in our forecast, which we really need.

There's something else I need...sleep. So, good mortereve to all!

*leaves a basket of apples for all*