"There truly is something magically enjoyable and inspiring
that happens when one season ends, and another begins.
I think it’s because the start
of each season also provides us with a new beginning.
With each new season, our environment changes around us,
and we are all brought along for the ride. A renewed energy
comes alive within us when this happens."
AMANDA, Tulip & Sage blog
I had been hanging onto Summer's coattails all month, but now that Autumn is officially here, my soul settles into this most favourite season. Lamps get turned on earlier as days grow shorter; for me that's a cozy feeling. It's time, then, for twinkle lights, candles, BC McIntosh apples, pumpkin spice lattes, and woolly sweaters, to name a few.
I washed windows yesterday. It was a pleasant task; the air was crisp and balmy at the same time—even as the breeze bites, it soothes. Although not many birds out, the bees were busy in the sedums. I'm surprised as days grow shorter to see new blossoms opening on one hydrangea (above), while from another (at the bottom) I snipped the aging but still gorgeous blooms to dry for winter bouquets.
After supper last night, I went out to drop a birthday card in the mailbox. I love the evening light at this time of year. A quietness creeps over the neighbourhood. Walking back to the house, I saw this stunning bloom on Peace Rose. Oh my! It bloomed beautifully all summer, but this rose seemed the most exquisite of all. If Mom were nearby and there wasn't Covid, I'd be taking this to her for her own bedside table—since it is her rosebush that makes so many of us happy. Instead, I set it on my own table; it was the last thing I saw before switching off the lamp.
“Keep good company, read good books, love good things and
cultivate soul and body as faithfully as you can.”
LOUISA MAY ALCOTT, Rose in Bloom
A Few Autumn Favourites
—the sound of skittering leaves on the sidewalk
—watching the leaves fall from the trees on a windy day
—a warm sweater or scarf on a cool morning
—pumpkin spice lattes
—shadows and cozy lamps in corners
—walking on a pile of crunchy leaves
—comfort food like apple crisp and corn chowder
—Canadian Thanksgiving in a couple of weeks
—bouquets of twigs and leaves
* * *
There is an exquisite hint of peach in the eastern sky—the morning has dawned here.
So I'll sign off and wish you a pleasant weekend.
Heart Hugs,
Brenda
xox
The last rose in my garden is also my Peace rose. It seems paler now the season is ending, but still beautiful.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, I do so enjoy that lovely, lovely Rose. This one seemed deeper gold than the ones through summertime. Thanks for stopping in. I'm glad you are back in circulation. xox
DeleteI had not heard of Rose in Bloom by Louisa May Alcott so I looked it up. It's free for Kindle on Amazon right now so I bought it to read.
ReplyDeleteJenny, I so hope you will enjoy this lovely book. It was most meaningful to me when I was coming into adulthood. The book, set in the 1870s, is the story of a young girl whose parents died, and her uncle became her guardian. Although she lived with her aunties, he was the father figure and took great and loving care in shaping her young life, wanting her to grow up to make good choices, to be kind and responsible, and not be filled with the frippery and frills of the empty-headed young ladies he saw in his day. She learned to trust him when he asked her to do, or give up, something. And that story became a metaphor for me in my relationship with Jesus. As He shaped my young life, I learned to trust that everything He asked of me, via his instructions through the Gospels., was always for my good and always from His heart of love. I'm so glad you found it 'free' today! Bonus treat. Do let me know how you found the book.
Deletelove your autumn poems it is a new season of change. I can feel it as more of my old activities begin again: we can go to our physical church, Daughters of Utah Pioneers meeting and my poetry group are coming alive! I love fall.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lin. I'm sure you must be feeling happy to begin some of your usual activities. Keep safe.
DeleteSuch a sweet send-off to summer and warm welcome to crisp cool fall days! Beautiful!
ReplyDeleteAwww, thank you, Janet!
DeleteDid you read Eight Cousins too? There were so beautiful stories written in bygone days! Canadian Thanksgiving comes at a great transition time. I love all things autumn. I'm waiting until next week to bring out gourds, wheat and spicy scented candles. We've just started a new Zoom bible study that continues until Advent. Did you see the interview of Thomas King by Margaret Atwood? I'm reading the new Elena Ferrante book. I'm finding it powerful but disturbing. Enjoy the week-end!
ReplyDeleteYes, I did read Eight Cousins, a long time ago. Gourds and wheat always remind me of our Thanksgiving displays at church when I was a girl. Do enjoy your new bible study. I didn't see the interview of Thomas King by Margaret Atwood -- I'll see if it's available anywhere online. And I'm not familiar with Elena Ferrante. You do introduce me to some interesting books or authors to chase down. Wishing you a pleasant weekend.
DeleteOh yes! I love this time of year.Pulling on an extra sweater just feels good, as does getting cozy under a warm blanket. Enjoy the weekend.
ReplyDeleteIt sure is a lovely time of year!
DeleteThe beauty of the Peace rose is a wonderment! She seems to pour all of her heart into these last blooms as the season turns; "a thing of beauty and a joy forever".
ReplyDeleteShe really is a thing of beauty and a joy forever. Glad we get to be caretakers of this rose of Mom's.
DeleteLooking at that beautiful rose is the perfect way to end a day. I agree that each new season is like a new beginning. I don't know what I would do if I couldn't enjoy the switch to fall, cooler weather, shorter days, more time to collect thoughts. All under a nice warm afghan. Bring on the twinkle lights and candles too. Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteI love that we have seasons around here, I cannot imagine life any other way. But of course it's what we have grown up with and are used to. Hope you have a great weekend, Lisa.
DeleteNo pulling on sweaters down here in s.e. FL. Last evening I saw that the temp was 91, and it said it was 8 degrees warmer than it had been during the day. There have been hints of fall coming though and I enjoy them and the anticipation of cooler temps when they do eventually come. Have a lovely weekend ~ FlowerLady
ReplyDeleteThat's a tad warm, Lorraine! Hopefully your hints of fall become reality soon.
DeleteBrenda, this is such a lovely post. As is your stunning Peace Rose. Autumn is here for us all to enjoy once again. Like an old friend we are thrilled to see. I cut some of my hydrangeas to dry and hopefully make a wonderful arrangement to enjoy this fall and winter. Enjoy these wonderful days and stay well.
ReplyDeletePS. Love the Louisa May Alcott quote.
So true, Sandra, the seasons come around and we do enjoy them like the old friends they are. They can be counted on to always show up -- faithful and companionable.
DeleteYou have once again blessed us with your writing and photographs! Hydrangeas are a favorite of mine! My grandmother had great luck with hers. The Peace Rose is one my father tried to grow; Mother loved the fragrance! I have taken a bit of a trip down memory lane while reading this entry! I love the Louisa May Alcott philosophy!
ReplyDeleteThe rose, the rose, the beautiful rose! It is so lovely. I didn't know that Louisa May Alcott book either, but I've now ordered mine from Amazon. And thank you for describing how it spoke of your relationship with Jesus. The crunchy autumn leaves always remind me of primary school where every Autumn recess time my two friends and I would diligently bunch up the leaves into lines and corners to mark the walls of the "rooms" of our playhouse. Such great memories. I'm enjoying a great playlist on Spotify these days called Sweater Weather - Instrumentals.
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteAs always, I enjoyed your post. Thank you for the quote from Louisa May Alcott.
xx oo
Carla