The Broad Running Broad

It’s a few days later, but nonetheless: Happy Autumn, knights ‘n dames.

We finally got some rain after a dry spell, which hopefully can help the drought we’re dealing with. The skies are moodier, and the trees have been turning colors early this year.

This past Saturday morning was my annual trip to Lynd Fruit Farm. At my old place I had a front and a back to decorate, while my new home only has the patio out front. I wanted to bring home some white and orange mini pumpkins that tie into my Halloween wreath and fit in with the flower pots out front. The wreath has a little black cat doll sewn onto it, and I was undecided if I wanted to find something at Lynd to tie in with the little cat doll.

While I was at Lynd, two things happened. The first was that I ran into my old pastor and her family. I hadn’t seen her in about four years, and it was nice to hug and briefly catch up. I’m still in disbelief that their son is now a man. If he’s grown, just how fast has the time flown by?

The second thing that happened was the discovery of the little yard stakes. Located in a crate near the mini pumpkins, the yard stakes were wooden cutouts painted to look like either candy corn, pumpkins, ghosts and …. black cats.

I bought two little black cat stakes with my pumpkins.

And instead of a long run on Saturday, I pushed that back to Sunday and got my patio ready for Autumn/Halloween.

Then on Sunday I ran.

The plan was to get 12 miles done, since this was my first long run in a couple of weeks. I did complete 12 miles … but it took me two hours and 46 minutes.

In between starting my run a little too late in the morning, my water bottle getting a crack in it that spilled all of my fuel out by Mile 2, and trying to run in 80 degrees without any liquids to cool me down, I bonked around Mile 10. My calves were bugging me, so I decided to walk the last 1.5 miles back to my car.

Sunday Runday has since been christened Struggle Runday.

I made sure I got to Columbus Running Company after my run for a new bottle. Because I am not running without my fuel again.

Fast forward to today/tonight. You’re probably wondering what my fall decorating and running update has to do with Wholesome Woman Autumn. Well, here it is.

Pretty much everyone has heard the big news out of Hollywood where Diddy got arrested and is facing charges for some horrifying crimes (full disclosure: I’m being vague because I don’t know everyone’s tolerance level for that topic.) Frankly, I’ve been trying to avoid as much news and gossip as possible on the subject because it bothers me, and I’m still distressed by what’s managing to come out.

With the Diddy news seems to come a torrent of disgusting, vulgar and upsetting stories that the YouTube algorithm keeps recommending to me – and I have been clicking the “Don’t recommend channel” button a lot this past week. On top of the national news, there’s also the regular local news that has been hard to read lately.

Frankly, it seems like the sheer level of upsetting or just plain gross stuff has quadrupled with the end of summer, and I don’t have the bandwidth for it anymore.

I’ve decided this Autumn, in addition to regular responsibilities, I’m making the effort to block out grossness and cultivate a wholesome environment.

I want to nest with my cozy fall decor and coffee before the fracas of the holidays arrive. I want to start baking again now that it’s not too hot to run the oven, and make a conscious effort to look around on my runs and take in nature changing. I want to cuddle with Marina and find a new pumpkin patch to explore with Mom.

I definitely want to get back into consuming softer or uplifting media again to counterbalance whatever the news is reporting.

And most importantly, I want to get back on my walk with God. I don’t like to talk about religion on here, so I’m not going to say too much beyond feeling like now is a perfect time to reconnect to God and my Christianity.

Which is a nicer way of saying I’m starting to think the end might actually be near and I want to make sure I’m not going to the same place as Diddy in the afterlife.

So Reader-friends, the world around us is doing what it’s going to do. In the meantime, I’m focusing on and only inviting wholesome things into my home during the new season. I’m prioritizing warmth, health and peace. As well as kitty cuddles.

May you all know peace and quiet,

Yours in running and life,

Allison