summer ending, new seasons beginning

So today is either the first day of fall or the last day of summer... I suppose it depends on how you look at it. Either way, it's a time of change. The leaves are already turning here in the southeast and everything green has taken on that tired, worn-out look. Despite all that, I've still been able to hang out in my bathing suit and float in the lake. It's been a divine summer... never mind the blistering heat.

My ankle (yes, I'm giving you an update on it still) has healed almost completely. I thought I'd be a gimp for the rest of my life but it's just about there. Still a little stiff if I turn it in certain directions but the swelling has finally -- finally -- disappeared completely and I no longer have to vary the heat and cold packs.

I believe I've traveled almost the entire southeast this summer. Sadly, I never made it to TN (sorry Hannah!). Sunday I travel up to NYC where I will proceed to tour the entire northeast. Just kidding! My dad insists that I've never been in a city quite like NYC. When I claim to have been to large cities, he just gives me a smile and says, "But you've never been to New York."

I get it that it's a large city... I suppose it's the fast pace that makes it different from other cities I've been to (Chicago, London, Kiev) but I haven't yet figured out why both my parents laugh or express some kind of condescension when I say I've been to cities before.

Anyway, that's in a few days so I'm wrapping things up around here before jumping on a plane with my most important worldly possessions.

And.... here's what I'm working on! I'm a little more than half-way through. There's a pen so you can tell how big it is.


And if you can't tell what color it is...