10/06/2026
September! The month of birthdays in our family. First up was Gratton, he got to go to a full on VT game and was blown away by football entertainment college-style. Eve surprised him with streamers on his bed and a sign the morning of his birthday, 7!!! Then my birthday, celebrated with our brother-in-law Bradley, our first big shebang at the farm. It was a great success, with grown men seated by candle light at children’s tables.
After the festivities September held our first normal weeks at our new home. Of course with lots to do. Cleaning creek banks, riding horses, pressure washing things, reorganizing sheds, clearing fences, it is a joyful work to be dirty and outside. The filth of farm life is upon us, but alas we have a mudroom this time, praise. Other exciting news is: my brother got engaged (!) and our first little cousin, Floyd, turned 1 (!) Some girlfriends took me out to dinner, and our horse is finally off for training! We have spent lots of time with my sister (who lives close by finally!!!) who is schooling us on horses and reminding me I’m not 20 anymore.
Ty runs these Virginia mountain trails in the mornings, still comes home smelling like fish, and talks on the phone more than I can comprehend. He cantered on a horse the other evening and said “YA!” to get her to go like all the western cowboys do. Life is never dull.
Fall, of course, is my favorite time of year, it is the perfect weather, with the perfect colors, with this exciting and constant tug of war between cold and hot and life and death. The fading of all the bustling life of summer, with hints of the season of rest to come. It is very sweet to me and in short, reminds me of my mom. So riding our Maggie Mae up and down the mountain has been a balm to my soul. God continues to disciple us, in the giving and receiving, in the calm moments, and the chaotic ones, and in September, He has allowed us to reflect as we dream of what’s ahead. It’s been good.
- Shannon Shannon Walker
