November Favorites
autumn
A Few Culprits
There have been a few rainy days, two good soakers, and cool weather seems to be settling down. It seems that the veggie garden is done, not a good year; most plants died or did not produce. While collecting the last of the veggies, I spotted a few caterpillars that have made the garden their home. We cut the stems and relocated them to another part of the property, not wanting to harm them.
And as one season ends another starts, and for me, the end of a dry spell. The other day, while sitting, I had an urge to write, almost as an urgent call, so I grabbed pen and paper and was able to write an entire chapter; it has been quite a long time, but the dry spell is broken.
Of Mice and Bats – A Halloween Poem
A Halloween poem.
Of Mice and Bats
False hero has fallen
entwined in lies
pricked by the spikes of his creation.
Have a Happy Fall!
Everyday Thanks
Thanksgiving will certainly be very different this year across the country. So much has changed for all of us. For me, it will be just my husband and I, and the cats, of course. Just a simple meal, and we plan to enjoy the day while relaxing and thinking about so many things we are grateful for. However, there are so many little things to be grateful for every single day. All we have to do is observe with intention, and we see miracles everywhere. I truly believe that, and moreover, I choose to believe that in this crazy time we are living. Yes, 2020 has been though for everybody, but it also has its blessings.
This morning was cold; it was 30 degrees outside. However, I spotted two beautiful miracles.
Even in the midst of worldwide sadness, a pandemic, unrest, and other less than perfect situations, we can still be grateful for the glimpses of blessings we have, no matter how simple or small we may think they are; but are they? May you and yours have a blessed Thanksgiving day, and for the rest of you who live in other countries where this day is not celebrated, may you find much to be thankful for every day of your lives.
Fallen
Fallen – A Thanksgiving Poem
Rust, yellow, brown
Life becomes death
Fallen leaves, withering trees
Spirit sleeps within.
The earth sleeps countless dreams
The heart beats a million thanks
To live to die, to die to live
Spirit lives within.
A thankful heart
Fallen to Earth
Asleep in rusts
Alive, still, rests.
Spirit blesses the earth below
Awakes the heart
the sleeping soul
from dusk till dawn.
Simple Beginnings
The other day, I was looking outside at the first signs of autumn, looking for an amber or red leaf here and there, while enjoying the silence that surrounded me. I could only hear the birds outside. The cats were sleeping, so the silence embraced the home. I love the green-yellow color of the grass as it is getting ready for winter to come. Autumn is a transition for nature, just as people have their own autumn seasons in life.
As I glanced at the tiny winding dirt path going from my neighbor’s home to her next door neighbor, I realized that I missed those early childhood signs of friendship and closeness between neighbors. The paths that were created by the frequent walks to a neighbor’s home, all natural friendly foot traffic. After living in New Jersey USA, for so many years, and closer to the city, I had forgotten those tiny paths crossing lawns that were so common in my childhood.
I understood that life has changed, and that the tiny dirt roads I admire so much in paintings depicting country settings had become my reality and a symbol of simple beginnings – unpretentious, serene, simple beginnings. I found myself reminiscing, with a smile and teary eyes. Sometimes what we view as the ending is just a new beginning.
Crimson Miracle
Photo by M.A.D.
Crimson Miracle
Shriveled leaf, sunrise gone
Shriveled life, blue moon shone
Risen anew, ashes to dust
Wind gentle blows, caressing soul.
Cycle of perfect harmony
A thankful heart beats on
Season of crimson miracles
To live, to die, and be reborn.
Celebrating Autumn
Image via Wikipedia
I love Autumn; it is my favorite season. So much happens during this time. Nature becomes a changing painting. Around mid September, I start preparing to welcome the Fall. I try to enjoy this season to the max as it is also a prelude to another favorite – Winter. Most likely, during fall, you will find me doing these activities, some of which I will not be able to do to total contentment this year, since I am in transition to move to VA. However, I will certainly enjoy as many as I can.
Candles – I start by buying scented candle jars to welcome the season. Some of my favorites are pumpkin spice, spiced apple, cinnamon spice, vanilla, gingerbread, maple pecan … and other scents. At the end of fall I make sure that I have a pine or evergreen and cedar scent to welcome Winter.
I also give a good fall cleaning to the house to get it ready for the joyous season. After that, the home is ready for decorating. I like to decorate using a natural approach. Many of the things will be handmade and using natural materials such as leaves, twigs, branches … Many of these items can be tweaked for the winter, and later on recycled into mulch. The organic feel is perfect for the season and conveys a warmth and coziness. The outside decor follows the same approach. I use some recycled vintage items as well.
Since the weather will be changing, so does the wardrobe. I enjoy cleaning up closets and getting ready the outfits for the season. Even hubby’s closet gets the Autumn treatment. I love to play with fabrics and colors.
I enjoy the no A/C season and take advantage of it by opening all the windows to let the crisp air inside. The cats love it too. Their beds also get the autumn treatment, and get their heavy blankets on.
During this time, I celebrate by enjoying the quiet of the woods and parks. We take walks, and love the smells of nature – wet leaves that are starting to decompose, the moisture in the air, as well as the crisp air of the season. The sound of crunching leaves as you walk, the wind, and the scenery that slowly paints itself in nature – a palette of unique colors. This is the perfect time to pick up fallen leaves and branches to use in the decor. This is also beach time for me, as I enjoy the beach during fall, not during the summer. It is not crowded and it is quiet, and the weather is better. So there are many beach walks during this time.
One of my favorite rituals is to prepare for Halloween; I love the holiday. In our neighborhood, we get tons of trick or treaters and I enjoy preparing colorful candy bags to give away to the kids. I love to sit outside with a bucket full of bags while watching the parade of cute costumes. I pick a favorite costume as a mental exercise. I prepare 80-100 little bags and most of them go. Sometimes, my neighbor will have a Halloween bash and most of the traffic will come to our street. Their home is decorated with all kinds of spooks, smoke, sounds, and moving creatures … Last year two local rock bands played – this is also a treat, and I have grown accustomed to it over the years. I will certainly miss it once we move.
Finally, I make sure I have some of my favorite treats on hand – the pumpkin or apple pie, hot chocolate, ginger tea, pumpkin spice creamer, cinnamon bun creamer, and the rarely found coconut creamer, mini marshmallows, and my favorite – the tiny candy corn and pumpkin candy. These treats make me happy.
And this is how I celebrate Autumn.
Inkspeare 