Monday, October 19, 2015

Still Greedy for Autumn's Treasures


The new week starts out grey and blustery.  Perhaps that's why I went in search of photos today that capture Autumn with her heart on her sleeves, er, I mean leaves.

As we work away at this post, we are especially drawn to these photos for their deeply satisfying colours. They're so brilliant you just want to bite them. And, perhaps I'm especially enamoured with leafy pictures, for around here some trees are quite bare already and although many still hold tight to their leafy gems, their days are numbered, and therefore to be treasured.

Which is why, if I was anywhere near it, I would want to sit on that bench awhile and just sit. Breathe in the smell that's unique to Autumn ... earthy, spicy, smoky, even a little leaf moldy. I'd be tempted to want to either take pictures or especially write while I sit there, but then I'd be missing so much with my eye buried behind a lens or my nose inside a journal page, wouldn't I?  So perhaps, for today at least, I'd leave them both at home and actually be present to the world around me.


You know what else I'd want to do sitting on that delightful bench in that deliriously delicious spot on God's good earth? I'd pick out a leaf or two and twirl the stems between my thumb and finger and watch them spin around like tops. Twirling, twirling, such a sight, Twirling, twirling, pure delight!

And, I'd bend close and examine their pretty patterns and shapes and textures. Touch them softly with my fingertips to feel their leathery or brittle surfaces. I'd also want to find a pile of leaves all dried and curled up, and kick them high in the air and then just watch them float back to the earth.

I'd sure want to try Susan Branch's idea ... "Catch a leaf in midair, make a wish, kiss it & toss it into the wind."
What would I wish for as I tossed it into the wind? Maybe that I would remember these moments and on those bleak midwinter evenings, when life feels a bit dull, I'd do like Mr. Wordsworth once described about his daffodils.....

"For oft when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils leafy frills."

(apologies to Mr. W for dallying with his perfect poem)

For, on those days when life feels empty or lonely or overwhelming, by envisioning something that has given us great contentment and joy in the past, we can indeed recreate those feelings and, noting from personal experience, our whole being can be enlivened. As if we were actually there again. Methinks that is the gift of memory -- good memories, that is -- the ability that lets us relive those times of joy so we may, once again, be lifted up and fortified in weak or disheartening moments.

Of course, the downside of memory is that we can also keep referring to memories of bad experiences which is to our detriment and the whittling away of our well being. So, I'm filling up on the good stuff, so I have lots to fall back on in those trying times we all experience. Today I'm feasting on these gifts from Autumn's hand  and in this case, I think it's okay to be greedy about filling our memories with lovely things.

There it is ... who knew all those words would tumble out just from thinking about a little collection of leafy photos cobbled into a mosaic. I'm grateful. And I hope these tumbled-out words will bring something of a smile and the urge for you to go out and kick up a few leaves before it's too late.


Source
   


Sending you hugs of the bear-size kind,
Brenda


This week I'm happily linking to


Please Note: I created the above mosaic using picmonkey.com, but the individual photos are not my own. These beauties were found at Unsplash.com and are available for free and can be used in whatever way a person wishes. In truth, even though I take a lot of photos, photography is not my first love; I'd sooner write and let someone else take the pictures. So I'm grateful for people who give us this gift so freely.

 

15 comments:

  1. Beautiful pictures. Have a wonderful week. Hugs, Martha

    ReplyDelete
  2. Lovely writing and pictures. And yes just to sit on a bench or chair and watch a tree in autumn, worth leaving chores inside to do this.

    I pull out memories to think about when I'm sitting in a dentist's chair! Best way to pass the time there.

    ReplyDelete
  3. It all goes by so quickly! I noticed how fresh the air smelled when I was out raking this morning. If it hadn't been so chilly, I would have sat on the rocking bench and rocked for a spell. Since it was so brisk, I just kept moving.

    ReplyDelete
  4. What a lovely mosaic, Brenda. I like the idea of building up our resilience with happy memories. Thanks for sharing Unsplash.com--I'll have to check out their beautiful images.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Brenda, autumn is a deeply satisfying season, isn't it? I've always loved the earthy scents that evolve with the changes and who wouldn't love the tapestry of colours we are graced with.
    Susan Branch's idea of making a wish with a leaf is charming and one to do as I love the whimsical side of life.
    I had one of the tea bags you sent me today and it was wonderful after a day of final garden clean up and planting the garlic.

    ReplyDelete
  6. During autumn, I find my thoughts turning inward and homeward after the exuberance of summer outings. It's a delightful time to take long walks and scuff in the leaves and just sit and think. I'd love to sit on that bench, too, and indulge in a bit of fanciful thinking. A beautiful post, Brenda.

    ReplyDelete
  7. LOVE this post, Brenda. I feel exactly as you do about fall. Your photos are fabulous....they capture the essence of this most beautiful season. Susan

    ReplyDelete
  8. Your photos are beautiful, Brenda. I appreciated reading your thoughts too; I agree with the importance of filling up on happy, positive memories and ideas. It's good for me, better than dwelling on the negative things. I hope you're having a good week so far.

    ReplyDelete
  9. You wrote what my heart says this time of the year , really ! I want to always remember the beauty of this season , my favorite season. Often I find myself so busy taking photos of the leaves and trees or writing or reading as I sit by our pond soaking up the season I find myself not present in the moment. But oh what an inspirational and uplifting time of the year for me. Beautiful post.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Beautiful memories are a thing to savour so I am glad that you are concentrating on making those memories! xx

    ReplyDelete
  11. Keep filling up on the good stuff. What a wonderful idea.
    Every year, I watch a leaf fall from a tree, watching it fall until it hits the ground. I then go and get it. I add it to my collection of years passed, leaves that I have pressed. They are all neatly laying in the pages of a special book.
    Good memories!

    ReplyDelete
  12. In nature, autumn is at the end of the cycle of life and yet to me it feels like a new beginning, full of possibilities and promise.
    Amalia
    xo

    ReplyDelete
  13. Brenda, I finally had time to check out both blogs and I am also excited to find a fellow Alberta blogger. I enjoyed the mosaic of fall colors. We are so blessed to be nearing the end of October with great temperatures. I've added you to my blog roll so I can get regular updates. Sylvia

    ReplyDelete
  14. the images are beautiful and though the photographs are nice....it is your lovely words that make them shine. Your words have transported me into a lovely autumn day.

    ReplyDelete

To My Beautiful Readers,

Some people come into our lives, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never the same. ~ Franz Peter Schubert

Thank you so much for leaving your 'footprint' here in my comment box. I do appreciate you taking a moment to share your thoughts today.

Brenda xo