The Orbit Report: Deer Sightings, DIY Disasters & The Fall of Sober October

(by Sara Jane Shelvock, CEO, Torus Coffee Company LLC)

Ah, November in Iowa — where the air’s cold, the leaves are gold, and everyone’s surviving on caffeine, football, and pure stubbornness. This week in our little Midwestern galaxy: we crafted, we coughed, we cheered for Iowa football (and mourned a little), and then… we celebrated the end of Sober October like true Hawkeye fans — with zero chill and way too many snacks.

The Orbit Report: Deer Sightings, DIY Disasters & The Fall of Sober October

🎨 DIY Stained Glass Leaves: Fall Crafting in the Chaos

Nothing says fall in Iowa like hot glue, tissue paper, and a kitchen table covered in chaos.

The kids and I kicked off the week with DIY stained glass leaves, which sounds fancy until you realize it’s just construction paper, glue, and a prayer the cat doesn’t jump on your project. Still — when the sunlight hit those colorful tissue paper “leaves,” it looked like a Target fall décor aisle exploded in the best way possible.

We’re calling it “art,” and honestly, I’m impressed no one glued themselves to the table. Keep an eye out — Torus Coffee Company’s DIY Craft Section is launching soon! Because if I’m going to live through glitter explosions and failed Pinterest projects, I might as well document them for the internet.

🤢 The Great Family Flu Wipeout of 2025

Just when life was getting cozy, the stomach flu struck like a linebacker from Oregon.

One minute we were fine; the next, everyone was pale, cranky, and living off Pedialyte and saltines. It was less “cozy fall family vibes” and more “plague house, Iowa edition.”

Even the dog looked concerned. The only upside? I somehow hit 15,000 steps pacing between the bathroom and the washing machine. So technically, I’m still meeting my #200MilesNovember goal… just not in the glamorous way I imagined.

🦌 Walking Into the Woods (Literally)

Once we all recovered, I decided to keep up my walking streak. Walking has basically become my full-time job — the Fitbit buzzes so much it could probably file taxes at this point.

And because Iowa is basically a real-life postcard this time of year, we’ve seen everything from orange sunsets to full-on deer encounters. The other day, a herd stood in the trail staring at us like, “Oh great, the humans are back.” I froze. They froze. For a second, I thought I was Snow White — until one snorted and bolted like I owed him money.

Still, those crisp fall walks are where all my best ideas (and snack cravings) come from. If you’re local, you know — there’s nothing like the sound of crunching leaves, the smell of wood smoke, and the distant echo of someone yelling “Go Hawks!” from their garage.

🏈 Iowa vs. Oregon: Hope, Heartbreak & Nachos

Now let’s talk about the emotional rollercoaster that was the Iowa vs. Oregon game.

Everyone thought Iowa didn’t stand a chance. But then — we led for a while! The living room erupted. There were nachos, high-fives, and maybe even a premature “We’re back, baby!” shout from my husband. For about 20 glorious minutes, we believed.

Then Oregon hit that final field goal, and the room went silent. You could practically hear every Iowan mutter in unison, “Classic.”

Still, there’s something about Iowa Hawkeye football that keeps you coming back. The energy, the pride, the eternal optimism. Win or lose, we tailgate, we cheer, and we still show up in black and gold the next weekend like it’s our job. Because here, football isn’t a game — it’s a lifestyle.

🍻 The End of Sober October: What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

Sober October ended last week… and let’s just say, we celebrated like true Midwestern champions.

It started with a small get-together: a few friends, some homemade snacks, a fridge full of “We earned this” drinks. Everything was fine — until someone said, “Just one more.”

Cut to: me belting out 90s karaoke into a wooden spoon, my husband challenging people to a dance-off, and the dog judging us from the couch. At some point, I think I tried to give a TED Talk about freeze-dried candy.

Let’s just say our post-Sober October party ended with laughter, spilled chips, and the kind of headache that makes you Google “Can Gatorade fix my life?” the next morning. Moral of the story: our tolerance didn’t just lower — it filed for early retirement.

Still, it was the perfect way to close out a long month of self-control — messy, funny, and full of love (and electrolytes).

🌌 Wrapping Up This Week’s Orbit Report

So to sum it all up: we crafted chaos, survived the flu, walked like Forrest Gump, cheered for the Hawkeyes, and partied like we were still in college.

Another perfectly imperfect week in the Shelvock solar system — where the coffee’s strong, the snacks are freeze-dried, and life is a mix of laughter, football, and family madness.

The Orbit Report

Stay curious. Stay crunchy. Stay cosmic.

 — Sara Jane Shelvock, CEO, Torus Coffee Company LLC