The first snow of the season fell Friday night. Although I was aware of the forecast, it was strange to look out the front window Saturday morning and see the neighborhood white. There was only enough to cover the grass, and it melted by the end of the day but the cold has remained, and that too is strange this early in October.

The office picnic on Friday went OK. It was moved inside because of the cold temperature, and everyone clogged the hallways where the food was laid out on tables, then people split into groups and ate in various meeting rooms. The idea was to move from group to group and meet as many people as possible, but I didn't do that. We had a good conversation about television and movies going, so I stayed put, as did the others in that group.

The weather changed my Saturday plans. My aunt thought, with the cold and damp, that it was best to keep my cousin home from bowling, and I agreed. There is still plenty of time to get in three more bowling days. So instead I picked up Tammy and Cooper and we went to Nebraska City. I always buy jeans at an outlet there. Jeans never fit me very well so I'd just as soon pay half price for them. I'll be glad when the waistlines go back up and boot cut, which is becoming more flared by the season, goes away.

On Sunday Keith and I went to a family christening. The church is in the country and I was most excited about getting to see inside it. Little white country churches are one of my favorite things. After the service, we continued the celebration at the baby's home. What was to be a barbecue became three cold men standing outside beside the grill and a cozy houseful of everyone else enjoying the baby and conversation.

During the drive home, Keith and I talked -- again -- about how strange it is to be the elders in the family now. For me it's like being a fish out of water -- what exactly is my role; do I even have a role? I don't particularly like this evolution, and it has nothing to do with age. I just miss my family. Those who were always present when I was growing up. This is definitely a growing stage that makes me melancholy.