"What is small?
Children are small.
Seeds are small.
Moments are small.
Yet of these the whole world is composed."
Reclaiming Quiet, Cultivating a Life of Holy Attention
Sarah Clarkson
Sometimes a person pulls a book from a shelf looking for something. In this case, I was looking for a line of inspiration that I could open with. I flipped through Sarah's much underlined book, hoping something would pop out. That's when I found those lovely lines above.
It's been another full, busy week and my offerings today are small. A few thoughts, scraps, really. But in the spirit of Sarah's words, I hope you will find a measure of cheer... the lilt that lifts the soul a little.
One. Small Lights
As soon as I saw it, I knew this photo was joining today's post.
The candle drew me in with its comforting wick of light. I could
almost feel its warmth. I'm grateful to live in an age when
candles and twinkle lights are so readily available to fill dark
corners with cheer as winter approaches.
Oh, and I love how the pink rose peers from the dark background.
Another lift for a soul longing for a thing of beauty.
Two. Little Pockets
"Joy doesn't cancel out heavy things but it
gives you little pockets of strength to carry on."
from Sharecare on Facebook
Three. Weather Changes
The weather has switched gears—I could feel the chill of winter
in the air yesterday. Which means, in my corner of the world,
this will wrap up my last autumn-y post for the year. And signals
the season of creating cozy nooks inside our homes and souls.
Four. Reading Pile
Looking forward to dipping into these books new to me:
Book of Lives, A Memoir of Sorts (2025)
by Margaret Atwood
Dearly (new poems, 2020)
by Margaret Atwood
The Queen Who Came in from the Cold:
Her Majesty The Queen Investigates
by S.J. Bennett
(releases on November 11th)
*
I'm now planning to re-read
Reclaiming Quiet, Cultivating a Life of Holy Attention
by Sarah Clarkson (2024)
I've started to gather my cozy reads for the
coming season—will share soon.
Five. Remembering
Remembering those who gave their lives for others.
May their sacrifice never been in vain.
November 11th
And I want to add that there have been a
couple of people recently, who I only knew through their
social media presence and who poured so much goodness here,
who unexpectedly passed away.
Two Canadians who cared and made a difference,
whose posts filled my life with light and hope,
especially on those days when the world felt dark and grim.
To Stan and Darren. RIP
❦
As I wrap up, I glance out the window to discover that winter has arrived on the wings of snowflakes. Already rooftops are covered and evergreen branches are sugar dusted. And with that, the air shifts. I begin to feel that 'certain' something swirling around me... I must go find my twinkle lights.
❦
Hoping your days are pleasant whatever you're up to,
Brenda
Photo credits:
(top) by Thomas Wolter from Pixabay
(one) by Myriams-Fotos from Pixabay
(two) by Валерий Григоренко from Pixabay
(three) by iPicture from Pixabay
(four) by by Alana Jordan from Pixabay
(five) by Kevin Graham from Pixabay
My Blogging Schedule:
I post on Fridays
Sometimes it's just a small thing that can cheer a person up. Maybe, "small" doesn't always get the credit it deserves. It's looking a little whitish around here today. Good time to get into the books.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous Betty
Thanks, Betty, for your note. Sometimes the little things are just what we need. It's afternoon here and it's still snowing, so it's time for a curl up with a good book.
DeleteLovely. Nourishing. As always, thank you. (Side note: Was Stan the pilot/photographer with the cute doggie on Twitter? When I left Twitter, I knew I would miss his uplifting comments. Maybe you are not speaking of him, though.)
ReplyDeleteSo lovely to hear from you, Marigold! Thank you for stopping by. And yes, it was Stan the pilot/photographer on X with Jersey his dog who left us. He leaves a big hole.
DeleteOh, Brenda, how sad to learn of Stan's passing. He was such a nice man. Thank you for the update.
DeleteIsn’t the first snowfall exciting? It changes the whole landscape. Lovely fall pictures, Brenda. I just browsed through my Country Living December issue. Always fun to get a magazine in the mail especially the Christmas ones. I just finished reading “Beloved” by Jan Karon. I really enjoyed, getting reacquainted with all her characters and catching up with their lives. Have a lovely weekend. Hugs, Elaine
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I agree, about the first snowfall being exciting! And how lovely that you got your December issue of Country Living. I have a copy on my dining table, I'm trying to hold off browsing it until it's a little closer to December (I'll see how that works - haha). And like you, I quite enjoyed Jan Karon's new novel. I couldn't wait until December for that one. It was a treat to read.
DeleteThanks, Elaine, for popping in and saying hi. Happy weekend.
It was so cozy here today that I took a delicious nap! It snowed all morning but that has now stopped and left the world transformed. A very cozy small read. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteA nap on a snowy day - what a perfect treat. Thanks, Joy, for your note!
DeleteBrenda, your 'little lifts' are so lovely, and indeed they do lift the soul.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Barbara. xo
DeleteGood Morning from Brooklyn Brenda! I love that your blog for this week has still a lot of “ cozy” in it with the BEAUTIFUL photographs of “Fall” and cozy reading places and lists to enjoy! I want very much to find Sarah Clarkson’s book and also Margaret Atwood’s “ Book of Lives.”
ReplyDeleteAlso love your descriptions of the first “ Hello!” of Winter! Your thoughts and words are very poetic! You could teach a writing course!☺️ There is a “special feeling in the air” when Winter comes to the first dusting of snow. Hope you have your hats and mittens ready!
And “Rememberances”……. I always think of this November/ Thanksgiving time as a time for THANKFULNESS in big letters . This year , perhaps because of an “All Saint’s Day “ service I attended last Sunday I feel more aware of a quiet contemplation that I want to “ sit in” as I think about the people whose lives were richly lived .
As ALWAYS I SO appreciate “ the lifts” that you bring to my soul!!!!! Enjoy your weekend ahead!! 🍁🍂🌨️❄️🫶🏻~ Ann from Ohio
Thank you, dear Ann, for your kindhearted words. I hope you can find the books. I like your idea to spend time thinking about people who lived rich lives. I'm so glad for their inspiration and example of how we can spend our own lives. Trust you are enjoying your time in Brooklyn. Wishing you a beautiful week ahead! xo
DeleteGood morning, Brenda. I read your lovely words at home this morning looking at the pale blue sky with a few clouds. Small things are so delightful and you've captured that delight in your words and images. The pink rose with the candle on a book is full of quiet beauty. Thank you for sharing with us today.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Lorrie, for your lovely note. xo
DeleteI love this post of "smalls," Brenda! I immediately thought of the pastor I had from age 8 until I was a young married woman with two babies. He often said, "Despise not the day of small things" (inspired by Zechariah 4:10). I think it is true that the "small things" are often truly large in importance. I also love the idea of joy giving "little pockets of strength to carry on." Inspiring!
ReplyDeleteLovely to hear from you, Cheryl. I had thought of that same verse - the words were playing around in my mind when I was working on this post. I'm glad you brought it up here. It fits perfectly in today's theme.
DeleteBrenda...your quote from Sarah Clarkson is lovely...I must look for her book...I am sure it would be one that would be good to have on the bookshelf. Small things are my favorite...in reality they make life extra special. It sounds like you need to find your boots - we are just having a few snow showers today but the forecast says it will warm up again. :) Hugs!
ReplyDeleteAs it turns out, the snow melted after a couple of days because the temperatures went back up above freezing. So I don't need the boots for the moment. Haha. Debbie, I think you would enjoy Sarah's book. Wishing you a beautiful week ahead. Thanks for stopping by.
DeleteHi Brenda....That was a very nice post with lovely photos. It has started snowing a bit there and guess what? Light snow is forecast here in western Massachusetts, too. Winter is waiting in the wings as the last autumn leaves flitter down through the air and land on the cold ground. I hope you have a terrific week, Brenda. I know you will make many cozy spots in your home. Susan
ReplyDeleteWe had our first snowfall here yesterday. I am glad that I got my winter tires installed last week!
ReplyDelete