Planning and Plotting by Lorrie Orr

 

September Prompt: With summer over, autumn is often a time of new beginnings. What Ten Things will you be doing in the last four months of 2026? These could be short term goals you set, intentional practices, writing tasks, etc. Don’t be limited by the number – choose any number you like.

Photo: Lorrie Orr

September brings some nostalgia for the fleeting summer, and some excitement for a return to cozier pursuits indoors. I think back to my not-so-far away teaching days and want to organize my desk, sharpen a fistful of pencils, and arrange my notebooks. I feel energized in the fall, and I often start new projects. So, what will I accomplish in these last months of the year? These are 12 of my goals.

** Writing **

1. Revise The Characters of Christmas manuscript (written at least 10 years ago) for possible Substack articles in December.

2. Compile my Christmas recipes into an e-book for family and friend.

3. Take Ann Griffiths’ online writing course in September.

4. Continue to work on my children’s book: rough copy, revise, revise, revise

5. Check with my local bookstores to see if they will carry my memoir Life is Short but Wide.

6. Work on my Substack site and perhaps a self-contained website.

** Home Refresh **

1. Tidy my studio where I write and sew. There will definitely be new notebooks and freshly sharpened pencils.

2. Sort through photographs. Label / discard / organize into years.

3. Switch my wardrobe from summer to autumn/winter. This involves tidying closets and drawers, discarding worn items, and donating items that no longer fit my life.

4. A thorough house-cleaning. This has already begun. I try to use natural cleaners and have been very happy with Mint Cleaning Products – a two-woman company making products in Ucluelet, BC. In autumn I also use a peppermint oil spray around door frames and window screens to keep spiders away.

** Celebrate **

1. Out of 13 family members, 8 of us have birthdays between September and December. We have one combined party in September, another in November, and another in late November/December. It’s fun and busy. Plus, there’s Thanksgiving in October and Christmas in December.

2. My birthday. This year is a big one for me. One of those numbers that ends in 0. This one is hitting hard and has made me think a lot. I’m thankful for health and energy and hope to stay active for many more years. There’s so much richness in life.


I look at my list and think everything is doable. I also know that unexpected things happen in life, and I trust that I will meet them with the grace and wisdom God provides.

“In their hearts humans plan their course,

but the Lord establishes their steps.” Proverbs 16:9 NIV 

 

Lorrie Orr writes from Vancouver Island, BC.

She is the author of one book, a memoir, Life is Short but Wide,

and has a number of other books waiting to be worked on,

as well as a vast amount of writing in her head.

She also writes on Substack and her personal slice of life blog.