The Simple Woman's Daybook: October Edition

" Even if something is left undone, everyone must

take time to sit still and watch the leaves turn. "

ELIZABETH LAWRENCE

Autumn is a time of year that 'fills my well' and gives me so much to muse about. Activities that feed my soul are usually simple and soothing as well as nourishing. Going for a walk at dusk, kicking my feet in the fallen leaves, and watching the ducks fly overhead into the sunset.... it's moments like these that make me oh so glad! to be alive.

I find working on the prompts set out by Peggy from The Simple Woman's Daybook puts me in touch with the simple things going on around me. Usually nothing fancy or newsworthy, in the grand sense, but these are the things that become daily bread for the soul. I find myself on the lookout for these ordinary glimpses when I read the writings of other bloggers. I hunger to know the details—the little life secrets—of what makes life meaningful and beautiful for you. It is what I look for when I happen to re-read old journals of mine too. Sharing my little findings with you gives me joy. And it is always my sincere wish that something I offer will have made your visit here worth while.

So.... it's the first Monday of the month and time for October's edition of The Simple Woman's Daybook. I hope October will be good to you. We have Canadian Thanksgiving coming up this weekend. Alas, no big family events planned, but hopefully a bit of turkey and stuffing and pumpkin pie will add some festive feeling to mark the occasion. For, indeed, we are thankful for all blessings and gifts that come our way.

For Today

" October gave a party:

The leaves by hundreds came

The Chestnuts, Oaks, and Maples,

And leaves of every name.

The Sunshine spread a carpet

And everything was grand,

Miss Weather led the dancing

Professor Wind, the band ... "

GEORGE COOPER

Outside my window...

Although Autumn still dazzles in spots with brilliant colour,

in our corner it is already on the waning side—many trees stand

 barren as gullies and lawns deepen in curling leaves. 

My window is open a crack and autumn's peculiar scent wafts in—

that mix of wood smoke, cool air, earth, and dead leaves.

I am thinking... 

When I was a girl, I disliked the forlorn, barren look of late autumn.

Trees void of leaves left me feeling unsettled. I did not like the emptiness,

the starkness. It was a far cry from the snug, cozy, homey feeling I loved.

'Twould be many a year before I'd come to truly appreciate the

clean open space of empty branches stretched against a grey sky. 

I am thankful...

for deep breaths and the ability to delight in the natural world around me.

Like Anne of Green Gables, I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers. 

One of my favourite things... 

Going out with my guy for a drive in the countryside

and then stopping somewhere for a picnic lunch.

" A picnic is a state of mind

and can be made anywhere. "

SUSAN BRANCH

I am wearing...

black jeans, black long-sleeved tee-shirt, a red and black plaid vest.

In this photo, I'm posing along the main street of the village that was

central to our family life growing up on the farm.

I am creating...

I'm itching to write and ideas dance inside my head, much like

fluttering leaves dance down the street on a breeze. I mutter to myself

thinking about this word and that one, as sentences take shape on paper on

my computer screen. As the daylight hours shorten and time in the

garden draws to a close, I find myself drawing nearer to my desk,

my books, and pen keyboard.

I am watching...

the sparrows having a grand splish-splash bath in the luncheon plate size

clay pot tray on our deck. Had to fill it up three or four times

because they were so exuberant in their ablutions.

I am reading...

Bella Grace,  a 160-page magazine deliciously filled with

lovely articles, quotables, photography.

" An ordinary life can be extraordinary;

there is beauty in imperfection and that magic

can be found in the every day."

THE EDITORS 

I am listening to...

Harvest Moon (Neil Young) as sung by Lord Huron,

since we enjoyed a harvest moon earlier this week. The song is a favourite. 

I am hoping...

to finish reading the insightful little volume I recently found by

Louisa May Alcott Hospital Sketches from the Civil War. She volunteered

as a nurse around 1862 and recorded her experiences in letters

she wrote home. I appreciate hearing more about this well-known author's

personal encounters during this tumultuous time. Little Women

was published eight years later.

I am learning...

restraint in offering my vociferous opinion on every topic at hand,

especially the ones that make me hopping mad or upset.

Using my tongue to speak generous words of comfort,

praise, and affirmation is a much better way. I don't have to ask

God for forgiveness so often (wink).    

In the kitchen...

Our next door neighbour dropped off fresh plums

from their tree. They are so sweet and juicy.

Don't you just love that plummy colour? 

In the garden...

We've had no killing frost yet (fingers crossed) so many plants are still blooming,

including this climbing rose. 

A favourite link... 

is the blog handmade by amalia. She's creative

with fabric and yarn as well as words in poetry. And

she always knows how to tickle the fancy of the child within.

A favourite quote...

" Like the trees that are dropping leaves, this is a time

for each of us to gently release anything that has become

a burden…trusting that it is this letting go that

will eventually lead to the new growth we seek. "

ANNETTE CHILDS, Ph.D.

A moment from my day...

When out for my walk last night just as the sun was doing its theatrics,

I caught glimpse of its reflection in the neighbour's window.

That's some artist!

Closing notes...

Take no thought for tomorrow: for tomorrow shall

take care of itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

GOSPEL OF MATTHEW

Grace and mercy are freshly minted every morning for us— 

I plan not to waste today's energy on tomorrow's business.

As they say, sufficient for the day.

* * *

Wishing you a beautiful day. Stay safe. 

Heart Hugs,

Brenda

xox