An Autumn Catch-Up

"That time of year thou mayst in me behold

When yellow leaves, or none, or few, do hang

Upon those boughs which shake against the cold,

Bare ruin'd choirs, where late the sweet birds sang."

lines from Sonnet 73, William Shakespeare

We've had such lovely autumn days where the air has been a mix of warm and crisp. Where the sun has made the red and bronze leaves stand out against pale blue skies. And no end of leaf piles to happily crunch through on our morning walks. There was no indication of snow on our weather apps so it was quite the surprise to find it snow-raining one morning when we woke. But since then, the snow has melted and we're back to the brown sugar look of late autumn.

If you've checked in here on occasion, you'll have noticed that I've been away for several weeks now. It's been expectedly, and unexpectedly, busy with family situations these past few months. And at the end of the day, my heart never quite felt up to writing in the midst of the ups and downs of it all. But the good Lord is gracing us with courage, kindness, and, yes, even joy to face each new day of challenges.

So what is helping me to carry on with some semblance of grace and joy?

1. Between all the necessary tasks and appointments, we continue to get in our daily walks (30 to 40 minutes). It's good to be outdoors as we watch the neighbourhood readying itself for winter. It's good to be in the present moment, taking notice of the beauty that's still all around if we but stop and look. 

2. My books. They are a great source of comfort and, more importantly, a good distraction these days. With so many things that need tending, and paths that seem to have no way through, my mind is ever diligent to stay alert and keep 'safe'—for there be dragons out there. And it's not so much from worry, per se, although there is some of that too, but it's that thoughts feel so unsettled, unresolved, and restless that they go round and round the ever squeaking 'gerbil wheel'. . . . And so I read to keep my thoughts from jumping back on that wheel. Getting immersed in a good tale relaxes and calms my mind from the frets, worries, and to-do lists.

One delightful book I'm reading is The Cozy Commonplace Book by Miranda Mills. Newly published, its chockful of seasonal verse, quotations, cozy book lists, recipes, and charming illustrations. It's one book that definitely takes me away from my more anxious thoughts.

At this time I am especially drawn to a few of my favourite mystery writers — classic Christie and Sayers, along with current authors like Louise Penny of the Inspector Gamache series and S.J. Bennett with Her Majesty The Queen Investigates series. Both have new novels out this fall, Miss Wolcott's Ghost and Death on the Royal Yacht, respectively. There is something about whodunnit tales that a reader can take comfort in — we know the case eventually will be resolved and justice shall be served. There's a feeling of safety and comfort in knowing it turns out in the end. Which, of course, is what we hope for in our real lives. Although it doesn't always work out that way, but we try to hope for better days ahead.

Other books that I have been dipping into include Lark Rise to Candleford by Flora Thompson; The Stubborn Light of Things, A Nature Diary by Melissa Harrison; Nature Writing for Every Day of the Year edited by Jane McMorland Hunter; and The Magician's Book, A Skeptic's Adventures in Narnia by Laura Miller.

3. Things I keep reminding myself to remember:

❧ "Sufficient for the day". I ask myself, what's the next thing I need to take of care? And just focus on that for the moment. It's one task at a time.

❧ Rest. Both my body and my mind. Taking time to consciously be 'Off Duty'. And especially in the middle of the night when I wake and find those dreaded thoughts are right there. I gently tell my mind, Girl you're off duty now. No thinking about what you need to do tomorrow or next week. This little huge reminder has been a real help to me. 

❧ Watch for little joys that arrive as gifts that I can look forward to each day. Spotting a bright yellow leaf sitting on top of the snow. Berries hanging from a branch. Chickadees chatting in a tree top. The scent of coffee wafting up from the kitchen on a cool morning. The 'too funny' reel on Instagram. A friend messaging with a hello. All reminding me to take time for a bit of fun, some relaxation, a cup of tea, a square of chocolate, a nice book.

❧ This line from a quote someone recently sent me about their own struggles watching a beloved spouse dying from terminal cancer. The quote is by someone named John Blanchard: “So He (God) supplies perfectly measured grace . . . For daily needs there is daily grace, for sudden needs, sudden grace, for overwhelming need, overwhelming grace.” It's that last line that grabs my heart: "for overwhelming need there is overwhelming grace". Those words greatly comfort me.

Crows gathering at sunset for the night

Sunrise hitting the maple tree filling

a corner with light

A salad of leaves on our front step

after a wild and windy day

If Calvin (from Calvin and Hobbes cartoon) were

in need of 50 different leaves for his school project, 

he'd have the assignment wrapped up in a wink.

One leaf defying winter on a

snowy morning in October. 

Evening scented stock buried

beneath crystalized snow

Almost time to switch from Autumn Décor

to Christmas - woohoo 

I hope that life will settle down again. But we don't know, do we? I think of you, beautiful readers, and appreciate you popping in once in a while to let me know you've been missing my posts. Please know I am missing you, too. I hope to post more regularly again, but I won't promise anything right now.

In the meantime, for all the turmoil and unsettledness in our world, personally and further afield, there is still so much for which to be grateful. So many little things to enjoy. Because it's still a beautiful life we're living on this amazing planet we call home.

❦

Heart hugs,

Brenda

Photos:

Brenda Leyland @ It's A Beautiful Life