t all goes so fast. There's nothing particularly wise in noting that, but I think we lead a very different sort of life up until we realize how fast. After the reality taps us on the shoulder, we get to figure out how to spend what's left of that sand in the top-half of the hourglass.

It's an unusually warm October. Everyone is loving it, and my wife begrudgingly acknowledges that "it's not freezing, I guess." Work has been a mixture of excitement and dread, with some employee turnover and some new projects that may or may not pan out. Business is steady, but never guaranteed, and the slide into winter is always a bit of downer. Imagine the bare shots of a frozen wasteland outside of the ski resort in The Shining, and you get a glimpse of what comes to mind when I think of another Illinois winter.

But tonight, a Sunday night, I have no reason to complain. Yesterday I spent the afternoon with my Dad, brother Chris and neighbor Robin while rooting around for old motorcycles. Today I had grilled brats for lunch while visiting my brother's in-law's farm with Sally. They have quite an operation, and in the fall it turns into the agricultural equivalent of Disneyland. Tonight I spent a little time at our church's Fall Festival out on a farm Northwest of town and escaped just before the rain. It's all way too nice, way too enjoyable, and way too easy to last... and it triggers this low grade sense of dread. I'm always nagged after having such a nice weekend... always waiting for a shoe to drop. I assume there's a medical root to that condition, or simply an excess (or lack) of Mt. Dew in my diet that could remedy the situation. Regardless, I know I've been richly blessed, and I need to work hard to not take things for granted (or for granite, because then everything looks very heavy).

I just came in the office to import some photos taken over the last 3 weeks - House stuff, niece birthdays, old Ducatis & Triumphs. But instead figured I should write down what a nice weekend I had, so if my dread has some legitimacy, I've got a reminder that there's a balance - there are days like this to remember.

Tomorrow is a day of renewed hope. A new employee starts that I'm excited to have in-house. Fresh blood, fresh eyes, lots of fresh organs in general, I guess, if we're doing the complete inventory. Another employee is having a baby tomorrow (his wife at least, but hopefully he'll offer sage advice regarding breathing and such). Five years ago tomorrow Sally & I found ourselves entering into a much scarier contract than our marital one - the purchase of our house. I'll let you know how that turns out in about 15 more years.

Has it really been five years?

...so fast.