Ahhh, Lia… I am new here but have been enjoying your weekly updates and the wonderful community. I’m sure the space left by your son’s move to university is felt acutely. I find that as the weather cools and the darkness starts to creep in at the edges of each day I want to gather my family up under piles of blankets and breathe them in. They are with us for such a short time but so it goes that they stretch and grow and leave our nest but not our hearts. Last night, I saw the moon - massive, orange, and warm seemingly suspended in time but when I went out later with the dogs it had risen higher and it’s warm soft glow had been exchanged for a brighter, whiter light. Still beautiful of course, but more distant. I think our children are like that, soft, warm, chubby fingered and then we look again and they are grown - brighter, sharper, moving away from us but still lovely, still loved.
Oh Lia I am adrift too, as I just left my youngest at Uni to return to an empty house. My eyes mist on my morning commute as I watch parents clasping the hands of their little ones, chatting on the way to school and I puzzle at how fast the time has gone. No need to add this to the weekly poem, just wanted you to know you are not alone! However the terms are very short and soon there are bags of stuff and washing returning and filling the house!!
Oh thank you so much Anna, isnt it just so strange! Yes we are at the other end of all those people saying 'it goes by so fast' - wishing i'd believed them! Love to you x
the windows are all steamed up on the outside in the morning; the preciousness of each moment of warm sun; watching an amazing almost full moon dancing in and out of the dark black cloud with a fluffy white swirl of feathery boa cloud skimming between them - who needs the telly?
and I feel for you with the uni departure - After my first son went, I was in the Co-op and just burst into tears over the mixed leaves salad - his favourite. Go gently with yourself .
It’s the change in the light I’ve noticed most this week, suddenly having to close the curtains against the dark when we hadn’t done it until well after dinner.... Walking around the house putting lamps on, my husband following us and turning them all off!
This week is sweaters (jumpers?) at the ready but not needed yet. Lots of asters and bees still about. Thrushes noisily stripping berry bushes for winter (even though they know their feeders will be full). A feeling of busy preparedness for a future of uncertainty.
After two months now, I finally begin to destress and really start listening to my body and spirit. We, my dog friend and I, stood upon the highest point of our village - a tumuli - and let our hair and thoughts be touched by the first stronger autumnal winds.
Don’t worry about not being jolly - it’s good to share how you’re actually feeling at the minute. If it’s at all encouraging, when I left for university three years ago was when I started loving home the most. Being away made me appreciate home all the more, and I (still do!) love come back at weekends, being looked after, and spending time with my parents. But also I’m sorry, I’m sure nothing makes it feel that much better right now. I’ve had a bit of a down week also because my trip to Vietnam ended and yesterday I had an X-ray and found I definitely broke my foot. I find it hard to believe this won’t make the descent into winter a bit miserable as I won’t be able to go outside except on crutches, which doesn’t lend itself to lovely long autumn walks. I’m trying to find the bright side but it’s a bit pants. Anyway, my short three things this week are. The cold upon returning to the UK (it’s just so cold), and linked to this - the start of sweater weather (my favourite season!!), and finally, an allotment pumpkin on the windowsill, blazing with orange glory.
Oof - I'm so sorry!! I was similar when I left for uni. I loved coming home to the comforts of my family and their rhythms. I'm so sorry about your foot. Thank goodness for windowsill pumpkins!
I love that! I plan to take out a few things today for my "harvest kit" as Lia mentioned in her video last week. I enjoy sketching and would love to draw some leaves.
Oh Im so sorry to hear this Ella! What a pain. Thank you for your lovely words of reassurance. I am seeing little signs of that in him already, which is lovely x
My heart is with you this week, Lia. Though my boys are all quite young, I remember so clearly when my parents dropped me off at uni a few hours away. I came home often. My home is often cozily chaotic, and I do my best to add touches of beauty like a lit candle or autumn foliage (that my 2 year old cannot reach and nibble on).
I love the comments poetry. If it's sustainable for you, I would like the practice to continue. If it's not, that's alright with us.
This week I loved the gray skies against orange leaves, striding in boots down a dirt path with little fingers woven through mine, and feeling the chill in the air as I prepare the first chicken soup of the season, warming the bones of the house.
Dear Lia. I prefer " a slightly chaotic kitchen, a messy and very busy life" ... I've tried that calm route but it just isn't for me. I wish you much joy as your extra time evolves into a fulfilling new life, with lots of visits from your son.
I do love those Other Comments too. They read like a poem before your posts get into your nitty gritty. It must be a lot of work to edit them, but please note that whether or not you continue to include them, I have appreciated them and the editing work you do.
However you wish to share comments is fine, after all as you put it in your post , life changes. My week? An away to hug trees in Harrogate, leaves turning and falling down around me. New yarn for a knitalong with a friend. Bright coloured crochet blankets around me on cool evenings.
Ah Lia - my heart hurt for ages this time last year when I dropped my eldest off for University. (Bristol in fact!) What a gift it is to love them so much.
My three things: crimson rosehips and hawthorn berries against a blue September sky; the first crumble, with both apples and blackberries from the garden; fairweather cat settling in for autumnal cuddles.
Also - you must do what you need with the comments. You are gently shepherding a kind community of (it seems) like minded souls who will all want what's best for you. I read all the comments anyway, as I'm sure many do, so we can gather in each others' seasonal reflections if you need to pull back. Walk gently.
I do enjoy everyone’s comments on here, it’s like a memory jogger and inspiration for lovely and seasonal activities. This week I’ve seen lots of hares chasing around. Enjoyed my first roast dinner of the season with family celebrating a 93rd birthday and marvelled at consecutive sunsets, especially one with roe deer in the forefront.
Sending warm wishes to you and a wonderful week ahead to all.
I’m enjoying the fact that the changes in the garden are happening much more gradually. There is time to breathe. There are squirrels about and I see jays most days. I realise this is a struggle for many people, but I love the darker evenings.
As gardens close down we drifted into Iford Manor and delights abounded cosmos blooming asters abounding and yew hedges leafing up their dangerous red berries glistening .Salvia blues and asters in purple like emperors of old -bit of a wow with Italianate views and statues to guide us along the paths -vistas to die for as we left this other worldly place -bumping along lanes back to city days 🌿🍃🌱
A sad week for me with not much time to appreciate seasonal beauty. Am trying to frame it differently however to give me a new perspective. - My parents both had very difficult health news -‘The autumn of their lives’ I guess where they ( & we) must accept the changes which come to us all. It’s not the end however & like autumn it will bring darkness & a quieter time of life but the light will return.
I’m so sorry to hear about this tough time for your family. I wonder if you have read or heard of Wintering, by Katherine May? I found it an incredibly comforting book at a difficult time and have friends who felt the same.
Ahhh, Lia… I am new here but have been enjoying your weekly updates and the wonderful community. I’m sure the space left by your son’s move to university is felt acutely. I find that as the weather cools and the darkness starts to creep in at the edges of each day I want to gather my family up under piles of blankets and breathe them in. They are with us for such a short time but so it goes that they stretch and grow and leave our nest but not our hearts. Last night, I saw the moon - massive, orange, and warm seemingly suspended in time but when I went out later with the dogs it had risen higher and it’s warm soft glow had been exchanged for a brighter, whiter light. Still beautiful of course, but more distant. I think our children are like that, soft, warm, chubby fingered and then we look again and they are grown - brighter, sharper, moving away from us but still lovely, still loved.
Oh my goodness, how gorgeous. I love this, thank you x
I love this. Thank you.
that's so beautiful!
Now I’m crying. Beautiful.
Oh Lindsay - that’s made me tear up. So true ...
Oh Lia I am adrift too, as I just left my youngest at Uni to return to an empty house. My eyes mist on my morning commute as I watch parents clasping the hands of their little ones, chatting on the way to school and I puzzle at how fast the time has gone. No need to add this to the weekly poem, just wanted you to know you are not alone! However the terms are very short and soon there are bags of stuff and washing returning and filling the house!!
Oh thank you so much Anna, isnt it just so strange! Yes we are at the other end of all those people saying 'it goes by so fast' - wishing i'd believed them! Love to you x
the windows are all steamed up on the outside in the morning; the preciousness of each moment of warm sun; watching an amazing almost full moon dancing in and out of the dark black cloud with a fluffy white swirl of feathery boa cloud skimming between them - who needs the telly?
and I feel for you with the uni departure - After my first son went, I was in the Co-op and just burst into tears over the mixed leaves salad - his favourite. Go gently with yourself .
|Thank you so much Mo, it's been strange week, but it's feeling ok. And yes I had a moment in the supermarket too, how funny x
i wonder if the staff get used to it at this time of year!!
and I am happy with however you choose to use the comments - what feels right to you?
It’s the change in the light I’ve noticed most this week, suddenly having to close the curtains against the dark when we hadn’t done it until well after dinner.... Walking around the house putting lamps on, my husband following us and turning them all off!
Yes, similar here with the curtains.
This week is sweaters (jumpers?) at the ready but not needed yet. Lots of asters and bees still about. Thrushes noisily stripping berry bushes for winter (even though they know their feeders will be full). A feeling of busy preparedness for a future of uncertainty.
I have noticed the asters with bees too! And loved it
After two months now, I finally begin to destress and really start listening to my body and spirit. We, my dog friend and I, stood upon the highest point of our village - a tumuli - and let our hair and thoughts be touched by the first stronger autumnal winds.
Don’t worry about not being jolly - it’s good to share how you’re actually feeling at the minute. If it’s at all encouraging, when I left for university three years ago was when I started loving home the most. Being away made me appreciate home all the more, and I (still do!) love come back at weekends, being looked after, and spending time with my parents. But also I’m sorry, I’m sure nothing makes it feel that much better right now. I’ve had a bit of a down week also because my trip to Vietnam ended and yesterday I had an X-ray and found I definitely broke my foot. I find it hard to believe this won’t make the descent into winter a bit miserable as I won’t be able to go outside except on crutches, which doesn’t lend itself to lovely long autumn walks. I’m trying to find the bright side but it’s a bit pants. Anyway, my short three things this week are. The cold upon returning to the UK (it’s just so cold), and linked to this - the start of sweater weather (my favourite season!!), and finally, an allotment pumpkin on the windowsill, blazing with orange glory.
Oof - I'm so sorry!! I was similar when I left for uni. I loved coming home to the comforts of my family and their rhythms. I'm so sorry about your foot. Thank goodness for windowsill pumpkins!
Thank you! I am trying to take my painting outside as a way of still being connected to the seasons, but soon I’ll need gloves to do that I think
I love that! I plan to take out a few things today for my "harvest kit" as Lia mentioned in her video last week. I enjoy sketching and would love to draw some leaves.
Oh Im so sorry to hear this Ella! What a pain. Thank you for your lovely words of reassurance. I am seeing little signs of that in him already, which is lovely x
So sorry to hear about your foot, what a pain (literally). Sending healing thoughts!
Oh Ella - that’s not good. I’m so sorry to hear that - I do hope you heal quickly and find some positives along the way.
My heart is with you this week, Lia. Though my boys are all quite young, I remember so clearly when my parents dropped me off at uni a few hours away. I came home often. My home is often cozily chaotic, and I do my best to add touches of beauty like a lit candle or autumn foliage (that my 2 year old cannot reach and nibble on).
I love the comments poetry. If it's sustainable for you, I would like the practice to continue. If it's not, that's alright with us.
This week I loved the gray skies against orange leaves, striding in boots down a dirt path with little fingers woven through mine, and feeling the chill in the air as I prepare the first chicken soup of the season, warming the bones of the house.
Thank so much Jess x
You paint the pictures so clearly with your words!
Dear Lia. I prefer " a slightly chaotic kitchen, a messy and very busy life" ... I've tried that calm route but it just isn't for me. I wish you much joy as your extra time evolves into a fulfilling new life, with lots of visits from your son.
I do love those Other Comments too. They read like a poem before your posts get into your nitty gritty. It must be a lot of work to edit them, but please note that whether or not you continue to include them, I have appreciated them and the editing work you do.
Here's to an Awesome Autumn for all of us.
me
Thank you so much Madelyne x
However you wish to share comments is fine, after all as you put it in your post , life changes. My week? An away to hug trees in Harrogate, leaves turning and falling down around me. New yarn for a knitalong with a friend. Bright coloured crochet blankets around me on cool evenings.
Sounds gorgeous!
Ah Lia - my heart hurt for ages this time last year when I dropped my eldest off for University. (Bristol in fact!) What a gift it is to love them so much.
My three things: crimson rosehips and hawthorn berries against a blue September sky; the first crumble, with both apples and blackberries from the garden; fairweather cat settling in for autumnal cuddles.
Also - you must do what you need with the comments. You are gently shepherding a kind community of (it seems) like minded souls who will all want what's best for you. I read all the comments anyway, as I'm sure many do, so we can gather in each others' seasonal reflections if you need to pull back. Walk gently.
Thank you so much Wendy, this is really lovely. Yes, what a gift x
This is so beautifully put. And ah, the first crumble! Nothing like it.
Couldn’t agree more with how Wendy put it about the weekly poetry
I do enjoy everyone’s comments on here, it’s like a memory jogger and inspiration for lovely and seasonal activities. This week I’ve seen lots of hares chasing around. Enjoyed my first roast dinner of the season with family celebrating a 93rd birthday and marvelled at consecutive sunsets, especially one with roe deer in the forefront.
Sending warm wishes to you and a wonderful week ahead to all.
I’m enjoying the fact that the changes in the garden are happening much more gradually. There is time to breathe. There are squirrels about and I see jays most days. I realise this is a struggle for many people, but I love the darker evenings.
Hares race across the stubble, swallows skim the tops of the grasses in the meadow and a hedgehog hides in the garage.
As gardens close down we drifted into Iford Manor and delights abounded cosmos blooming asters abounding and yew hedges leafing up their dangerous red berries glistening .Salvia blues and asters in purple like emperors of old -bit of a wow with Italianate views and statues to guide us along the paths -vistas to die for as we left this other worldly place -bumping along lanes back to city days 🌿🍃🌱
A sad week for me with not much time to appreciate seasonal beauty. Am trying to frame it differently however to give me a new perspective. - My parents both had very difficult health news -‘The autumn of their lives’ I guess where they ( & we) must accept the changes which come to us all. It’s not the end however & like autumn it will bring darkness & a quieter time of life but the light will return.
I’m so sorry to hear about this tough time for your family. I wonder if you have read or heard of Wintering, by Katherine May? I found it an incredibly comforting book at a difficult time and have friends who felt the same.
Thankyou Anne - I actually have Wintering on my kindle but haven’t read it - now might well be the time ! X
I am so sorry to hear this Emma, what a blow this must be. I hope you are ok, and finding ways to cope with the new reality. Love to you x
Thankyou .. I appreciate this kind little community x
I'm so sorry, Emma. I'm sending you love.