"The quality of presence determines the quality of life."
~ Jack Kornfield
hello november,
you with your wet, gray sky,
barren trees, and cold winds
we open our hearts to longer evenings
crisper days, candle light, rain
and hot cocoa
i welcome you with an open heart
so what do you say that we work together this year. . .
you do what you do best
and I promise to take excellent notes
***
“How beautifully leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days.”
- John Burroughs
Today’s secret to happiness was finding color in the garden!
“ The secret to happiness today is …”
- my little grandson
My little grandson has a saying that he uses often. He might say it while riding in his carseat in the back seat of the car, or maybe in the afternoon when he is having a snack. I am not sure where he heard it, but it always delights me and makes me take pause. I found myself pausing often in October to take note of all the moments that brought joy, delight, and a soothing balm to my soul.
***
"We love fog because it shifts old anomalies into the elements surrounding them. It gives relief from a way of seeing,"
- Eavan Boland
The fog moved slowly, playing hide and seek with the trees on the hill across the lake.
***
“The perfect weather of Indian Summer lengthened and lingered, warm sunny days were followed by brisk nights with Halloween a presentiment in the air.”
― Wallace Stegner, Remembering Laughter
***
Percy comes to play yesterday and brings with him the magic of Halloween. He is not interested in candy, but talks non-stop about the outdoor decorations in their neighborhood and around town. The lego knights and dragons decorate their castle and Heather-Hazel (the witch), follows us everywhere. The skeletons in the tree glow with the colors of fall, and the countdown to Halloween begins.
***