The Weekly Ramble – September 25, 2026

It must be baby snail season! I’ve seen more and more of these little guys while I’m out on my walk in the mornings. Thankfully, they’re out early before most people or there isn’t much foot traffic as they’re alive and kicking when I cross their paths.

I’m so loving these cooler days! One morning when I headed out, it was 64 degrees. I had shorts and a tank top on and it was just chilly enough that I wondered if fall had finally arrived. Of course, I was hot and sweaty when I got back, but it was a nice reminder that cooler days will come.

I’ve been trying to get out walking at first light. I have to motivate myself since I my regular walking partners are at school, work, or on a cruise. (My friend and neighbor Julie is enjoying a cruise out of Boston, so I’m patiently waiting for her to get back.)

I think the light exposure + steps has been good. While my tongue still burns, at least I’m sleeping better! It’s possible that this acupressure mat is also helping? I dunno.

I’d heard people rave about the expensive purple mat (you know the one) so I put it on my Christmas list last year. My daughter-in-law suggested I take this one that she had bought and didn’t use.

It’s about 1/10 the price of the big name brand, and while I don’t have a comparison, it does seem to help! (Here are some of my other old lady tools.)

Here’s what else I’ve been doing, eating, listening/watching, and/or reading this past week:

What I’m Learning

I can’t remember if I told y’all that I’ve started another run through the Bible. I’ve really missed the daily routine. I think something’s working!

Anyway, this week I had one of those aha moments in Genesis 19. It’s the story of Lot and his daughters. Talk about women led astray by the world. Oy! 🙈🙉🙊

The two girls decide to get impregnated by their dad because they think no man will have them. It made me so sad to think about the heritage they were giving their children.

Then… I noticed that one of them was the generator of the Moabites. Who do we know who was a Moabite?

There were several ding-a-lings in their clan, but the most famous and the best, of course, was Ruth, who was both an ancestor to David as well as an earthly foremother of Jesus.

How kind of God to fold Ruth back into His line, and what a heritage we have in her! I thought that was really cool.

It pays to read your Bible! 👏😜

What I’ve Been Doing

Besides walking, Bible study, and acupressure, I’ve been working on some organization projects. If you haven’t already, now is a great time to get your cabinets ship-shape!

I started with the spice cupboard. There’s so much cooking and baking to do NOW as well as later. Set up your spice cupboard for success and it will serve you for months to come.

Mine was in disarray and the middle shelf was sagging. So I:

• gutted it all, wiped it down.
• dumped the old stuff. (If it doesn’t smell anymore, it probably has zero flavor.)
• gave away what I didn’t like.
• married the duplicates where possible.
• took note of what was missing or running out.
• bought replacements where needed.

Cleaning the spice cupboard is not about decanting everything into expensive jars, though if that makes your heart sing, go for it.

Just take stock! Know what you have so you don’t end up without or buying duplicates. Spices cost a pretty penny, fam! 🤑

Knowing that I don’t need to buy anything for the fallidays/holidays makes me so happy! (I fixed the saggy shelf with a chess set. Ha!)

Since the five kids are all doing some grocery shopping for themselves or earmarking certain foods so it doesn’t get gobbled by an unsuspecting hungry person, I decided the “snack cupboard” needed some help.

I bought bins at Target — they only had four colors, otherwise I would have a different color for everyone! — and now each person can have his or her own stash and we can have things a little bit tidier.

My main pantry is the cupboard below, so I’m hoping this will work.

What I’ve Been Eating

I’ve had my Greek yogurt and muesli on repeat this last couple weeks. As I mentioned, Gemini is my nutrition coach and has said that this is an excellent option.

Per the bot’s recommendation, I’ve increased the yogurt to 300 grams and added 1/2 cup frozen raspberries to the mix instead of my apple. At first I didn’t think I’d like it with the weepiness of thawing raspberries, but the chia in the muesli dries its tears and it’s really yummy!

I add a little vanilla bean paste to keep things exciting. 🤗

I’ve also adopted a Coke Zero habit. I’m struck.

Old timers will remember that Vanilla Coke (full strength) was my go-to while the kids were little. Every afternoon I had one, like clockwork.

Then I cut down on sugar and sodas got expensive. I had always been resistant to Diet Coke, so I missed the memo that Coke Zero actually tastes good!

I know that it has other garbage I shouldn’t have, but honestly, it’s helping me keep to the 1400 calories that would otherwise bore me to tears, so I’m keeping to it.

What I’ve Been Listening/Watching

The new season of The Art of Home Podcast is up! Allison and I did another seasonal ramble and cover a lot of fun as well as serious topics.

I always listen before I share a link. Ignore all my giggling. Not sure what was going on that day. Ha!

We’ll be recording a Christmas ramble in a few weeks, so let me know if you have topics you want to discuss.

FRIDAY MOVIE NIGHT: We watched the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. It was good. The book was better. Both make me cry.

What I’ve Been Reading

I have not been able to get into a good daily routine, so that needs to be an October goal! I’ve started and abandoned several books, including the newest Kate Watson book that I thought I would enjoy.

Not sure if it’s the book or me, but I read the first few chapters and then skipped to the last five chapters. The destination didn’t feel worth the journey to me, so I abandoned it.

I’m hoping I can complete one of these in the last week of the month:

• The Pilgrim’s Progress 
• The Borrowed Life of Frederick Fife 
• Nothing to See Here 

What I’ve Been Writing

I’ve been working on some new posts on the sites as well as a new meal plan for Crocktoberfest. Can’t believe that October starts in just a week!

I won’t be doing a daily challenge like I did in 2020 but definitely trying to use it more. This meal plan makes it easy for anyone to use theirs at least 5x a week!

Here’s what’s new on the blogs: