September Song

 These days are simply glowing in beauty as autumn arrives. The early mornings are moist, and the breezes can be chilly, but trees rustle and crickets chirp with vigorous life. I've been able to catch a few sunrises recently, which to me is magical. I am seldom up to see the early dawns of summertime, and in winter, slate-clouds often obscure the view. I love the rosy light and the purple clouds moving and bursting to welcome the rising sun.

  In direct sunshine these days are still warm, but the shadows generally call for a sweater. In the gutters, a few dry leaves begin the trend. Here and there a single leaf will let go and flutter through the air, spinning before it settles, floating down.

 

And the last day or two it's been raining in delicious, pattering installments, sweeping another layer of leaves from the trees, and scattering them across wet pavement. The geese have begun flying over in great Vs, honking in familiar tones, landing in pastures, and generally adding to the peaceful vigor that is this time of year.

a reminder

 Sometimes it seems that if we were in a new spot, or new circumstances or scenery, then all would be well. It would be easier to appreciate things, easier to be active, easier to get involved, to not be discouraged, to study harder, or read more, easier to love. But so often that isn't true.
 Now, I am a great believer in fresh scenery, in getting away for a bit, visiting, traveling, seeing the world. But it doesn't solve our problems. It freshens our perspective, lets us see again the wonders we have grown dull to. But whether you are at home or abroad, it is hard to get up early, exercise when you should, study hard, work, help, read good books, manage your time, pray, memorize, love people, serve. It's hard to eat right, be thankful, say no, say yes, limit tv; live and learn and care about the whole spinning world, with its vast diversities and wonders, without becoming discontent in, or blind to, our own hobbit-hole lives.

 It's hard. But then, we weren't meant to lean on our own abilities. (And thank God for that, as my abilities will never suffice.) In every moment it is God we must trust and lean on. Christ is enough. And as I have been here, and been there recently, I am reminded: lean into prayer.

Crisp

Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in fall --f. scott fitzgerald

Happy Baggins birthday~

"We are in for a spell of perfect weather now, each day is luminous, every night brimmed with stars. Picnics at noon, supper by the applewood fire at night, a walk in the cool moonlight before bed." -Gladys Taber

Prepare for take-off

I am finishing up my stay here, and getting ready to head home again.

Savoring the glimpses of mountain, and deep hills, variously shadowed and sunlit.

Enjoying the pattering rain on this different, but hospitable roof.

Excited to be planning my autumn days, filled with studying and productivity. I hope to do these plans justice. I also plan to keep blogging here frequently, and to keep updates here on what I'm staying busy with. Lectures: great books, history, politics, geography... all are on the menu so far, along with crocheting, bacon pancakes, flannel shirts, walks, chai, soups, crafts...

food, sailing, and other adventures

plums from the tree!
(some I dipped in honey--mwah!) 

 panang curry at an amazing thai restaurant

 The cousins took me sailing!

don't have any pictures of the sails up, because I was too busy enjoying myself...

they even let me help with the jib-sheets, and take the tiller for a bit!

Season of mists

Tea Quote Tuesday

"Would you like an adventure, or should we have our tea first?" 

-- Peter Pan (Barrie)

Rainy weekend

As September continues to be cool and rainy where I am, I am delighting in early autumn-ness. Yes, it surely will get warm again before true autumn sets in, but that is no reason not to enjoy every leaf-blowing, chilly moment that I get. There's never any point in arguing the weather anyway, or in pressing against the unyielding seasons as if they were a revolving door. So I'll pick my favorite bits out of whatever comes!

I have the added blessing of a change of scenery, if not quite climate. I'm still in the mountains of the PNW and enjoying it immensely, especially the hiking, where I can enjoy the terrain and the piney scents. 

Thinking of Mrs. Miniver as I often do in autumn... when the wind-shield wipers go (although mine don't quite say 'beef tea'). Found an old blog I've been fond of and am enjoying quotes and pictures from there, especially this one.

I'm rereading The Red House Mystery, watching Chuck, and Once Upon a Time, trying to make omelettes, making pumpkin pancakes, and peanut butter cookies, and keeping auntie company. Also planning all sorts of fun things to do in the coming months, and enjoying the sweatshirt and boots weather, looking forward to my cozy sweaters. I dearly love this month and this whole season....

I'll write more soon I hope.

We've turned the page... September

It's one of those days that really does feel like September. Chilly, rather cloudy, with pumpkin muffins for breakfast. The first leaves have fallen, and there have been several days of rain, which is good for the forest-fires, and great for a pot of tea as well. I'm not sure what it is about this season that makes me want to write blogposts, but I'm not arguing the point. It's a Friday, and we've passed my birthday and are on to the fickle precursors of autumn. I have a list of things to be done today, and people to see as well. But I'll take whatever moments I have and write here, because I must.