Went for what should of been a short walk with my daughter. We ended up finishing our walk along a footpath well hidden from the roads and farms in the dark, noticing the different sounds and shapes of the trees made it seem like a different place completely, not the path we had walked earlier in the daylight.
Amazing bonfire and fireworks by the sea at Alnmouth this year. The bonfire glow made my daughter’s curls look like wavy rivers of gold. I’ve been noticing Jupiter hanging out with the moon too.
I saw the full moon from my kitchen window at 7am over the roof tops, it was beautiful.
I live in Paris and all the florists and supermarkets are full of big pots of chrysanthemums in the run up to Toussaint (all saints day). It’s a gorgeous sight as they put them out on the pavements so there are bursts of colour everywhere.
Years ago, as an ‘assistante’ at a French school, I was invited for a meal by a colleague and went to get flowers to take along as a thank you. Fortunately, the florist checked what they were for and advised me to choose something else. The chrysanthemums I had chosen were ‘funeral flowers’. I was very glad she checked!
Ah interesting! When I worked in the florist we were told never to combine white a red flowers for older customers, because of an association with funerals. I think that might have died out now (it was 20 years ago), but maybe a British equivalent?
My grandmother, who worked in a hospital when she was young, couldn’t cope with red and white flowers together. She told me it was unlucky, because they represented blood and bandages. I’ve never heard anyone else say this, but I still don’t like to see red and white flowers together and have never been able to put those colours together myself.
Beautiful things. I'm not getting out of the house much at the moment, but a short walk to a fence nearby which has a beautiful creeper with red maple like leaves always brings joy at this time of year. As the sun had finally appeared the leaves cast delicate shadows on the fence.
Loved the description of the Narnia-esque lampposts!
We couldn’t resist nipping out to collect a few windfall apples from amongst the orchard grass and fallen leaves this week to make a spiced apple jelly (a spoonful spread on salty, buttered toast certainly cheered up a rainy afternoon).
It's been a funny autumn so far: it was so mild in the last week of October that we had a few daffodils blooming! At the same time the trees are becoming more naked, and i can see my breath in the air early and late in the day. Quite a few squirrels chasing each other around the garden. The blackbirds are back with their cheerful songs.
Driving home the other day, huge flocks of Canada geese were circling over stubbly cornfields. They're migrating south (I live in Wisconsin) and their honks are always a sign of fall ending and winter coming. It's bittersweet, a comfort and a sadness.
I have had hearing aids fitted this week and so have been enjoying hearing almost everything! The dogs toenails clacking on the laminate floor, the bathroom clock ticking, the clarity of people's voices, but best of all MORE BIRDS! I walked through the park with the wind in the trees, the leaves rustling and birds sounding like they were next to me, including the beautiful song of a blackcap. It's been a long and gradual decline, but I hadn't realised how muffled the world has become - it's been a joyous experience and a much needed boost!
Here in Sheffield, some of the large lime trees have lost most of their leaves. I can see one from my living room window, through a gap in the houses opposite, that I enjoy watching through the seasons. I noticed this week that from this distance the branches looked bare for the first time and were showing up beautifully against the pale evening sky. Blue with a hint of pink.
Interesting to note the difference between Sheffield and Bristol where most still have plenty of leaves (as you can see) but it is looking gauzy. And yes, winter skies! That is a thing to look forward to.
The past two days have been windy in Belfast. I really feel for anyone flying in or out -- I've been on one of those bumpy flights into City Airport. But yesterday's walk to the meadows southwest of town was beautiful, all the trees showing off their resilience in the wind. Some are mostly bare, some still mostly green.
There is still so much green isn’t there! So many leaves hanging in late this year. Maybe it is a cold snap they need, as you’re right they are getting plenty of wind.
I’m with you on the dog causing the demise of firework joy. It’s a shame but also the little buggers are ok I guess. Chrysanthemums - I admire their enthusiasm but they are a little too Russ Abbot ‘Atmosphere’/over-cheery uncle for me. The sort of flower that says ‘not three bad’ when you ask them how they are
My vase of gently autumn hued flowers would *never* say ‘not three bad’… I know what you mean, but at the same time, you’re wrong. They are dead classy.
I am so delighted to hear from so far afield as California! Thank you for your beautiful observations. And helping give us a sense of the whole earth shifting through the seasons. You make me appreciate our (many!) rainy days.
They are always the last and the most glorious aren’t they, but yes, extra late. I find it hard to remember year on year but am hoping keeping this going will act as a good annual comparison.
Went for what should of been a short walk with my daughter. We ended up finishing our walk along a footpath well hidden from the roads and farms in the dark, noticing the different sounds and shapes of the trees made it seem like a different place completely, not the path we had walked earlier in the daylight.
Oh that sounds so eerie and beautiful. What a great thing to do to make the most of the dark x
Amazing bonfire and fireworks by the sea at Alnmouth this year. The bonfire glow made my daughter’s curls look like wavy rivers of gold. I’ve been noticing Jupiter hanging out with the moon too.
This is the most beautiful image, and all wrapped up in your loving gaze at your daughter too. Poetry!
I saw the full moon from my kitchen window at 7am over the roof tops, it was beautiful.
I live in Paris and all the florists and supermarkets are full of big pots of chrysanthemums in the run up to Toussaint (all saints day). It’s a gorgeous sight as they put them out on the pavements so there are bursts of colour everywhere.
Ah I would love to be in France at this time of the year to see this. Such a special and so very French thing. Thank you for sharing.
Years ago, as an ‘assistante’ at a French school, I was invited for a meal by a colleague and went to get flowers to take along as a thank you. Fortunately, the florist checked what they were for and advised me to choose something else. The chrysanthemums I had chosen were ‘funeral flowers’. I was very glad she checked!
Ah interesting! When I worked in the florist we were told never to combine white a red flowers for older customers, because of an association with funerals. I think that might have died out now (it was 20 years ago), but maybe a British equivalent?
My grandmother, who worked in a hospital when she was young, couldn’t cope with red and white flowers together. She told me it was unlucky, because they represented blood and bandages. I’ve never heard anyone else say this, but I still don’t like to see red and white flowers together and have never been able to put those colours together myself.
Yes, this is actually what I was told in the florists but I was disbelieving my memory. And no, I never do either!
Yes Chrysanthemums are only funeral or grave flowers in Italy too.
Interesting. I wonder if this is why people resist them here too, some long ago traces of a memory of this.
I teach French and we've been teaching about Toussaint this week. Thank you for decribing it so vividly.
Beautiful things. I'm not getting out of the house much at the moment, but a short walk to a fence nearby which has a beautiful creeper with red maple like leaves always brings joy at this time of year. As the sun had finally appeared the leaves cast delicate shadows on the fence.
Gorgeous, thank you both. Maybe as the leaves thin out we are getting stronger shadows from the ones that are left behind.
Oh yes, that's what I was thinking but didn't want to write a long message!
Loved the description of the Narnia-esque lampposts!
We couldn’t resist nipping out to collect a few windfall apples from amongst the orchard grass and fallen leaves this week to make a spiced apple jelly (a spoonful spread on salty, buttered toast certainly cheered up a rainy afternoon).
I bet your kitchen smelt amazing too!
The larch has turned an amazing golden colour. They will soon lose all their needles and be laid bare for the winter.
Yes, what a colour they turn. Enjoying it while it lasts…
It's been a funny autumn so far: it was so mild in the last week of October that we had a few daffodils blooming! At the same time the trees are becoming more naked, and i can see my breath in the air early and late in the day. Quite a few squirrels chasing each other around the garden. The blackbirds are back with their cheerful songs.
Ah the blackbirds! How excellent. I haven’t heard that yet. That’s something to listen out for. Boo about the daffodils though…
Driving home the other day, huge flocks of Canada geese were circling over stubbly cornfields. They're migrating south (I live in Wisconsin) and their honks are always a sign of fall ending and winter coming. It's bittersweet, a comfort and a sadness.
This is so evocative! I’m right there. Thank you Jill.
I have had hearing aids fitted this week and so have been enjoying hearing almost everything! The dogs toenails clacking on the laminate floor, the bathroom clock ticking, the clarity of people's voices, but best of all MORE BIRDS! I walked through the park with the wind in the trees, the leaves rustling and birds sounding like they were next to me, including the beautiful song of a blackcap. It's been a long and gradual decline, but I hadn't realised how muffled the world has become - it's been a joyous experience and a much needed boost!
This is wonderful! Congratulations! How fabulous to have got your hearing but also renewed your appreciation of it at the same time.
Here in Sheffield, some of the large lime trees have lost most of their leaves. I can see one from my living room window, through a gap in the houses opposite, that I enjoy watching through the seasons. I noticed this week that from this distance the branches looked bare for the first time and were showing up beautifully against the pale evening sky. Blue with a hint of pink.
Interesting to note the difference between Sheffield and Bristol where most still have plenty of leaves (as you can see) but it is looking gauzy. And yes, winter skies! That is a thing to look forward to.
The past two days have been windy in Belfast. I really feel for anyone flying in or out -- I've been on one of those bumpy flights into City Airport. But yesterday's walk to the meadows southwest of town was beautiful, all the trees showing off their resilience in the wind. Some are mostly bare, some still mostly green.
There is still so much green isn’t there! So many leaves hanging in late this year. Maybe it is a cold snap they need, as you’re right they are getting plenty of wind.
I’m with you on the dog causing the demise of firework joy. It’s a shame but also the little buggers are ok I guess. Chrysanthemums - I admire their enthusiasm but they are a little too Russ Abbot ‘Atmosphere’/over-cheery uncle for me. The sort of flower that says ‘not three bad’ when you ask them how they are
My vase of gently autumn hued flowers would *never* say ‘not three bad’… I know what you mean, but at the same time, you’re wrong. They are dead classy.
I've been shopping & treated myself to your wonderful Almanac🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
Ah wonderful! Very seasonal! x
Yes .. going to wrap it up for myself under the tree
I am so delighted to hear from so far afield as California! Thank you for your beautiful observations. And helping give us a sense of the whole earth shifting through the seasons. You make me appreciate our (many!) rainy days.
They are always the last and the most glorious aren’t they, but yes, extra late. I find it hard to remember year on year but am hoping keeping this going will act as a good annual comparison.