the bridges of madison county

I still haven't figured out why there are covered bridges in the heart of Iowa, or anywhere for that matter, but I decided no matter the reason, they are romantic. It was the annual covered bridge festival this weekend so Adam and I went to check out the excitement with our friends Kelsey and Ben. We decided that Winterset is one of those hidden gems in Iowa. We wandered around the city square eating candy apples, pulled pork sandwiches and hot apple cider, listening to local quartets serenade the sunny autumn afternoon. We even sat down for a slice of apple pie ala mode at the cafe Clint Eastwood and Meryl Streep made famous in the movie, Bridges of Madison County. I can't imagine a better way to spend an afternoon. All through college my roommate Lynn raved about this festival and somehow I never made it with her, but now I understand her enchantment with it all. I'm sure there are festivals like this across the country. And even though I will always be a city girl at heart, I can still appreciate a little small town fun.



(and for those of you wondering about my new hair color, this is it, what do you think?)

Freedom

What is freedom?
maybe you can't understand it until it's taken away
we talk about freedom to choose
freedom to vote
freedom of speech
freedom of religion
but none of these freedoms mean anything if you don't practice them, appreciate them, value them

Freedom to drive a car
Freedom to have children
Freedom to walk in the sunshine

Do I even know the freedoms I have?
Freedom is intangible
you can't put a price tag on it,
but then how do you get it?
Can you earn it? buy it? deserve it? find it?
Or is it illusive like a shooting star, impossible to grasp, priceless.

Some freedom is inherent
it's a choice—to love, to believe,
Some freedom is personal
Some is political

We have no control over it,
or do we?
Someone has control over it, but who?
What freedom do you have?

apple picking

Adam and I found an apple orchard north of Des Moines and had a great time picking apples and going on a hayrack ride. Now we have more apples than we know what to do with. I'll be making apple pie, apple bread, apple crisp, apple muffins...for weeks.

I believe

I believe in second chances, mercy, and forgiveness.
I believe in true love and high school sweethearts.
I believe in hard work.
I believe in sunrises and sunsets—new beginnings every morning and a quiet end to an otherwise crazy day.
I believe in God—the one who created everything, but still has time to love me.
I believe in the power of family to carry you through any situation.
I believe in good wine, dark chocolate, and coffee.
I believe in loving your neighbor, turning the other cheek, and listening before jumping to conclusions.
I believe in myself.
I believe in freedom—freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom to education, and freedom to live in peace.
I believe I am entitled to my own opinion, that I can make my own choices, but once those choices are made, I am responsible for the consequences.
I believe you get out of life what you put into it.
I believe in angels and things unseen.
I believe in the power of prayer and miracles and dreams.
I believe in heaven and peace on earth, not just at Christmas time.
I believe in random acts of kindness and true beauty.
I believe.
I believe.