Beauty on the Backroads

Stories of grace for life's unexpected turns

putting on the new

October baseball (and holding on to hope)

We closed the windows in the house this week. We haven’t yet turned on the heat, but there’s a noticeable chill in the air when we walk out to the bus stop each morning. Our breath is visible as we exhale in the natural rhythm of life.

October is a magical time. The shifting of seasons can’t be denied. (At least, not if you live in a place that has four seasons. I’ve never lived anywhere that didn’t.) Temperatures drop. Sweatshirts are added to the wardrobe. And pumpkin everything takes top billing on menus and grocery shelves. Football is king.

Joey Kyber via Unsplash

Joey Kyber via Unsplash

But it’s also the time of year when hope begins to bubble up anew. At least it does if you’re a baseball fan. (And if you’re not a baseball fan, I hope I won’t lose you here.)

My husband and I are lifelong Chicago Cubs fans. In case you miss the significance of that statement, let me clarify: We have waited our whole lives, and our parents have waited their whole lives, for this team to make it to the World Series. October baseball beyond the last weekend of the regular season is never a guarantee, so when it happens to your team, it’s like the beginning of the season all over again.

Read the rest of this post over at Putting on the New, where I write on the 12th of every month.

It’ll cost ya

I’m not what you would call a big spender. Though, to be honest, I’m not all that good at saving either. I’m happiest when we can pay our bills and have a little left over for fun. (Don’t worry, this isn’t a post about budgeting or planning for your financial future.)

Investing? That’s a whole different concept, something I don’t often think about. I don’t plan well, financially, for the future or think much about the old mantra: You gotta spend money to make money.

Fabian Blank via unsplash

Fabian Blank via unsplash

At least, I didn’t. Not until this year.

See, this year is the first year that I’ve started investing in my writing. What has been a fun hobby that I sometimes get paid for has become–or more accurately is becoming–a business I want to grow. Not just so I can make money (because believe me there isn’t a ton of money to be made in this business) but so I can do more of the kind of work I love.

Read the rest of this post at Putting on the New, where I post on the 12th of each mont.