My very own Grey's Anatomy episode.

With fall comes all things romantic (see list) and a bit of indulgent TV series watching. Slumped down in the couch for two episodes of Grey's Anatomy is where I am found after work.

My latest novel lies discarded on the floor somewhere near my passenger seat. I like to keep it near me during long drives. It has such a pretty cover. I almost feel bad for it.

I heard a recent parenting radio broadcast suggest that "TV media speaks to the heart while a book speaks to the mind." Within the context of orienting children toward literature instead of compulsive TV watching, it makes sense. My mom read to me often. I should know better.

But as a journalist, the statement makes me all kinds of conflicted. I received an overpriced education to become a news media person. I also work at Nordstrom. Sure, the news is full of bad messages. It dampens the glee of lunch hour in under a minute with stories of destruction from across the globe. Events are skewed are presuppositions are made. It is also a thruway for advertising and don't we all hate that!

If Jeremiah 17:9 suggests that the heart is the seat of wickedness and the news media is reporting on said wickedness, well then, they may just be doing their job.

After the seventh (estimated) Grey's episode this week, I made a trip to the dermatologist. Nothing out of the ordinary, just for an examination of a small bump at the base of my scalp. It took Dr. Tavelli all of 5 minutes to assess and tell me:

"You're a healthy kid. The spot doesn't concern me too much. We can inject it with cortisone and it will likely disappear"

Or...

"We can cut it off, put a couple of stitches in the scalp and send you on your way."

I answered decidedly, lacking my usual discretion:

"Cut it off? Yes, lets do that."

As Meredith Grey said, "Surgeons like to cut." It is not always the answer and in my case, did nothing life-altering. Romanced by the operating field delivered through my TV screen the chaotic brilliance and metallic sheen of a ten-blade, I wanted "the procedure."

 It may sound macabre (Happy Halloween!) and maybe it is, but I wanted there to be blood. A small clip and a couple of sutures later, I requested a mirror to see where the two sides of my flesh were sown together.

At the outset of this week was the dilemma of which fall boot to purchase for the season. By Thursday, I'm cavalier about clipping a piece of my scalp off.

What a welcome to October. I think it should involve more reading and a little less medical drama just to be on the safe side. Who knows if I might find other reasons to be visiting a surgical table soon...

That was meant to sound creepy.

Now read my list of romantic fall activities to make yourself feel better:

Smiling pumpkins.
The moccasin heel.
The return of the cozy blanket.
Smiling pumpkins.
A heap of old sweaters, some old, some new.
A game plan for colds (not getting one).
The familiar hug of denim.
Don't mind if I add a scarf.
Time indoors.
The bikini body postponed for another season.
Saying yes to a scone.
Applesauce making.
Collecting chestnuts.
Leaf smell.
Curtains.

September

Praise be to the back-to-school shopper! If not for sales, for social interaction. September blew into Portland on the smoky breeze of a forest fire. I am thankful it's here.

August was a sluggish retail month, a time for making lists because there is time to make lists when you are paid to remain upright and exuberant for a period of eight hours a day. For an introvert it can be an exhausting feat.

After punching my employee number into the register at mindblowing rate of five times per minute (in the event of a miraculous increase in sales figures), I am fabulous at waiting.


Waiting for that velvet hum of the receipt printer. That sound is nice.

Wait. Wait.
 Mistake woman's purse dog for domesticated squirrel. Laugh(discretely).
Wait. Point the way to women's restroom.
Wait. 
Answer phone. Wait. 
Take a stroll ( to the other register). 
Wait.
Swivel mannequins hands right side up after being tampered with by sugar-infused children. 
Wait again.
Scan the floor for signs of life. Wait. 
Locate happenstance customer. Appear casual, not desperate.
Maximize small talk. Ask questions. Lots of questions.
Accept a return, with enthusiasm.


Wait...