October in Review

October brought a mix of challenges and memorable moments that left a mark on this year.

Our month began with a final road trip of the season—though it wasn’t quite the carefree getaway we’d imagined, as Hurricane Helene was making its way up the coast. My heart felt heavy with worry, knowing one of my closest friends and a client were directly in its path. Trying to enjoy the beauty around us while thinking of them and others facing the storm was bittersweet. Thankfully, both families came through without severe losses, but seeing how many others were affected has left a lasting impact.

Our journey took us to the New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia, a place that felt like stepping into another era. The landscape was breathtaking, and exploring Thurmond—a town that’s now a time capsule of a bustling past—was surreal. Walking down its quiet streets, you get a sense of the history and life that once thrived there. If you ever have the chance to visit, I highly recommend spending some time in Thurmond. It’s a powerful reminder of both the passage of time and the stories places hold.

Back at home, we wrapped up the gardening season, putting the garden to rest. This year, growing was tough with all the erratic weather and the realization that some of our systems need work. I’m already making plans for winter projects to prepare for a better season next year—one that hopefully doesn’t feel quite so uphill.

On the brighter side, Oakley has made incredible progress in his personal protection training. Watching him work, doing what he was truly meant for, is amazing. Over the next few months, we’re moving him into dual-purpose training, starting with scent work. A long-term dream of mine would be to have him certified as a service dog, though we’d need to tackle a few quirks, like his separation anxiety. For now, we’ll focus on building his skills, one step at a time.

Finally, October saw the quiet launch of my passion project, Rustic Ink Mercantile. I’ve always had this “retirement dream” of opening a general store in a small mountain town—a place with shelves stocked with local produce, bulk goods, and handmade items, and offering classes on everything from canning to sourdough. Since the timing and location for a physical store aren’t quite right, I decided to bring the dream to life online. Rustic Ink Mercantile is now open on Etsy, with a starting lineup of printable planner inserts and other helpful printables. My goal is to expand in 2025 with more guidebooks and unique home goods, and maybe even some of those bulk items that make it feel like a true mercantile.

All in all, October was a month of growth, reflection, and dreaming ahead. Now, I’m looking forward to leaning into the holiday season, with all its warmth and celebrations.