Yes it’s been particularly dull and grey but still quite mild here in West Yorkshire. I’ve missed seeing the late autumn sun lighting up the fireworks display of leaves as they quiver in the breeze hanging on for one last show before dancing off down the lane. I have snuggled on the sofa with laptop discovering family history and their dates, sad stories and mysterious ancestors.
I've found this last week, in particular the constant overcast greyness, a bit of a downer to be honest. Taking a couple of woodland walks near me has helped though, watching the last leaves fall from the trees, the birds puffing their feathers up against the cold. As i write this a cheerful little robin has just perched on our front windowsill.
Unfortunately, this week of the year is always election week, although it is only every four years that we have the “big one.” Everything feels off-kilter. It is unseasonably warm along the entire East Coast of the U.S. Roses are still blooming even while the trees burst into color and then become bare. It’s impossible to know what to wear! But I did get over to the mountains in western North Carolina to spend some time with my daughter in nature. The beech trees had held onto their leaves and created pockets of gold on the mountainsides. It’s like they decided to try to make everyone feel better after the hurricane damage. We saw the remnants of the damage, but we also looked out over ridge after ridge that has been here since time immemorial and reflected on how to outlast the current crisis.
I'm in a challenging environment as my husband has been taken into hospital, I was starting to retreat into "my bubble" again. I go there in times of extreme pressure. I'm constantly overwhelmed & struggling to function.
However, I finally reached for my junk journal & wrote how I was feeling. I felt so much better for getting my worries out of my head.
I've not had the energy to go for a country walk in so long, we live in rural S W Scotland. I'm aiming to go on a short one today & recharge my battery. I miss nature & her calming effect on me.
Just getting out of the front door is a massive effort these days.
Wish me luck!!! Hoping for good news & energising powers from the mother.
Blessings to all, man & beast. Hoping for peace on our beautiful plamet. XXX
After more heading into 81 years of experience on this earth, all I know is my own experience. I don't know what the future will bring and I cannot negate the experiences of those whose opinions differ from my own. This week I am grateful for a spate of warm weather, bronze and copper oak leaves still dropping, cardinals using the deck as a feeder platform, chickadees watching for the appearance of feeders, and finally Amazon has Lia's 2005 Almanac which will arrive on the 19th...hurrah!
Your almanac (my first one) arrived this week! The week has been gloomy, heartbreaking, and I’m trying to ward off what if stories. And, the writing circle I held this week was extra tender, conversations with friends extra long, and I have taken more time to journal and sit in the woods.
Really feeling this gloom in my bones this time. Two weeks without sun…staying indoors, cuddling my cat, reading, listening to podcasts and music that makes me smile, laugh and scream, counting my lucky stars that I don’t live in the States but also feeling the pain and fear for what happened and what this could mean for the world. A sunless sky and no moon or stars by night to console myself with makes it hard. Hoping this pall of grey cloud will break one day…
Thanks for your reflections Lia. I found Chris Packham's initial post really helpful. "I will not give up on the beautiful and the good. The grip on my dreams just got tighter."
The weather has been so strange - the endless dull skies robbing us of light day and night. But it is the stillness, I think, that is so eerie. Like the world is holding its breath. The oaks are now copper, but with no wind their leaves are reluctant to fall.
Sending love to all. Don't give up on the beautiful and the good.
Yes, the grey has felt oppressive and the stillness even more so. After the magical and sparkly events are over, this feels like a calm but sombre point in the year, particularly when the sun doesn’t shine. I used to really struggle with November, but I’ve learned to sink into it. I love the darker part of the year, but it’s still nice to remember that this is the last full month of decreasing daylight and start to look forward to the next magical and sparkly celebrations.
Thank you, Lia, for bringing some perspective to that pathetic troll’s words. The universe will deal with him. We do have some serious work ahead of us in the US. I vote in elections (absentee ballot in this recent one) but I’ll mostly be focusing on taking care of the folks physically near me. I think the strength of neighborhoods and their connections are going to be really important.
Struggling to breathe deeply and hoping to regain the ability to take comfort in the natural world. Too mortified to cry until I read your words, Lia. Thank you. They help. As do most others’ comments and observations. Maybe tonight the skies will clear and the moon will smooth my tattered soul.
I’m very grateful for your leadership in cultivating greater appreciation for the natural world and rhythms of daily life. Your work and this community bring me great joy.
On the pond, the 4 cygnets have spread their wings and headed off to join the other teenagers. The dad left a few days later. We'll probably not know if it's him that returns with a new mate, or another pair. Either way, there will hopefully be more cygnets again in 2025.
To balance the grey weather and the election result, it's 2 weeks today we get married 🙂
Grey days all week; where has the sun gone? We need it to bring out the lovely colours of autumn. The plants seem to be confused by the mild weather, the blackberries think it's still autumn and the daisies and gorse think it's spring. I see the tips of bulbs peeping through the soil - they are going to get a shock when winter arrives!
And one thing that has given me great joy this week is my subscription to Scribehound Gardening. Such a wonderful range of thoughts and information to listen to in the morning. Lia, I loved your piece - it really brought the gardening by the moon thing to life and I’m looking forward to joining in, starting with the tulip bulbs 😄
I'm so sorry not to reply to this sooner, and so delighted you are enjoying it! I love having something calm and interesting to read each morning (to stop me scrolling...)
This week has really felt very wintery here in the North East of England. It's been very cold! The big puffy jacket is out alongside warm scarves. Gloves and big boots on standby. Candles and twinkly lights alongside cosy blankets are my tonic for the dark nights ahead and being lucky enough to be able to afford to put the heating on which makes a huge difference 🙏
Sending solidarity to everyone in need right now . Hope you can find some light amidst the dark times xxx
So lighting fires & reading Carly Mountain ‘s Descent & Rising :Womens Stories & the embodiment of the Inanna Myth has kept the sense of patriarchal victory at bay🙏 otherwise eating beautiful soups with the minerality of cavolo nero means winter is here 🌧️ and walking in a continual gloaming keeps the spirit warm .The robins in our garden are now friendly again swimming in the birdbath and whirring their wings -a vignette of calm amidst the stormy world we inhabit 🍁🌿
Yes it’s been particularly dull and grey but still quite mild here in West Yorkshire. I’ve missed seeing the late autumn sun lighting up the fireworks display of leaves as they quiver in the breeze hanging on for one last show before dancing off down the lane. I have snuggled on the sofa with laptop discovering family history and their dates, sad stories and mysterious ancestors.
I've found this last week, in particular the constant overcast greyness, a bit of a downer to be honest. Taking a couple of woodland walks near me has helped though, watching the last leaves fall from the trees, the birds puffing their feathers up against the cold. As i write this a cheerful little robin has just perched on our front windowsill.
Unfortunately, this week of the year is always election week, although it is only every four years that we have the “big one.” Everything feels off-kilter. It is unseasonably warm along the entire East Coast of the U.S. Roses are still blooming even while the trees burst into color and then become bare. It’s impossible to know what to wear! But I did get over to the mountains in western North Carolina to spend some time with my daughter in nature. The beech trees had held onto their leaves and created pockets of gold on the mountainsides. It’s like they decided to try to make everyone feel better after the hurricane damage. We saw the remnants of the damage, but we also looked out over ridge after ridge that has been here since time immemorial and reflected on how to outlast the current crisis.
I'm in a challenging environment as my husband has been taken into hospital, I was starting to retreat into "my bubble" again. I go there in times of extreme pressure. I'm constantly overwhelmed & struggling to function.
However, I finally reached for my junk journal & wrote how I was feeling. I felt so much better for getting my worries out of my head.
I've not had the energy to go for a country walk in so long, we live in rural S W Scotland. I'm aiming to go on a short one today & recharge my battery. I miss nature & her calming effect on me.
Just getting out of the front door is a massive effort these days.
Wish me luck!!! Hoping for good news & energising powers from the mother.
Blessings to all, man & beast. Hoping for peace on our beautiful plamet. XXX
I'm sorry you're having such a hard time Jo. Hope you can get out there, and that it does you good xx
Aww, thank you so much. Just discovered our drain pipe to septic tank is blocked, so will have to get the rods out. Not managed a walk yet. XxX
Oh my! I feel for you going through what sounds like a challenging time.
Many thanks doll, just seen my husband in hospital, going home now, 10.55pm in UK. Hoping things get better for all of us. XxX
I hope things pick up very soon for you Jo. Sending hugs and healing wishes up your way and I hope the wee walk out lifts your spirits xxx
Aww, bless you doll. Thank you so much, problems as above ◇ to deal with 1s. XxX
Hoping that nature helps you find the strength and peace you need Jo x
Aww, many thanks & blessings to you too doll. Problems as above ◇ to sort out 1st! XXX
After more heading into 81 years of experience on this earth, all I know is my own experience. I don't know what the future will bring and I cannot negate the experiences of those whose opinions differ from my own. This week I am grateful for a spate of warm weather, bronze and copper oak leaves still dropping, cardinals using the deck as a feeder platform, chickadees watching for the appearance of feeders, and finally Amazon has Lia's 2005 Almanac which will arrive on the 19th...hurrah!
Ooh is that on US amazon? Great to know, I hope you love it.
Your almanac (my first one) arrived this week! The week has been gloomy, heartbreaking, and I’m trying to ward off what if stories. And, the writing circle I held this week was extra tender, conversations with friends extra long, and I have taken more time to journal and sit in the woods.
Really feeling this gloom in my bones this time. Two weeks without sun…staying indoors, cuddling my cat, reading, listening to podcasts and music that makes me smile, laugh and scream, counting my lucky stars that I don’t live in the States but also feeling the pain and fear for what happened and what this could mean for the world. A sunless sky and no moon or stars by night to console myself with makes it hard. Hoping this pall of grey cloud will break one day…
This cloud is REALLY not helping is it...
Thanks for your reflections Lia. I found Chris Packham's initial post really helpful. "I will not give up on the beautiful and the good. The grip on my dreams just got tighter."
The weather has been so strange - the endless dull skies robbing us of light day and night. But it is the stillness, I think, that is so eerie. Like the world is holding its breath. The oaks are now copper, but with no wind their leaves are reluctant to fall.
Sending love to all. Don't give up on the beautiful and the good.
I saw that Chris Packham post too, I felt very moved by it
yes the stillness....
Yes, the grey has felt oppressive and the stillness even more so. After the magical and sparkly events are over, this feels like a calm but sombre point in the year, particularly when the sun doesn’t shine. I used to really struggle with November, but I’ve learned to sink into it. I love the darker part of the year, but it’s still nice to remember that this is the last full month of decreasing daylight and start to look forward to the next magical and sparkly celebrations.
beautifully put
Thank you, Lia, for bringing some perspective to that pathetic troll’s words. The universe will deal with him. We do have some serious work ahead of us in the US. I vote in elections (absentee ballot in this recent one) but I’ll mostly be focusing on taking care of the folks physically near me. I think the strength of neighborhoods and their connections are going to be really important.
Struggling to breathe deeply and hoping to regain the ability to take comfort in the natural world. Too mortified to cry until I read your words, Lia. Thank you. They help. As do most others’ comments and observations. Maybe tonight the skies will clear and the moon will smooth my tattered soul.
Sorry not to reply to this earlier Aster. I hope you are ok xx
I’m very grateful for your leadership in cultivating greater appreciation for the natural world and rhythms of daily life. Your work and this community bring me great joy.
On the pond, the 4 cygnets have spread their wings and headed off to join the other teenagers. The dad left a few days later. We'll probably not know if it's him that returns with a new mate, or another pair. Either way, there will hopefully be more cygnets again in 2025.
To balance the grey weather and the election result, it's 2 weeks today we get married 🙂
Grey days all week; where has the sun gone? We need it to bring out the lovely colours of autumn. The plants seem to be confused by the mild weather, the blackberries think it's still autumn and the daisies and gorse think it's spring. I see the tips of bulbs peeping through the soil - they are going to get a shock when winter arrives!
And one thing that has given me great joy this week is my subscription to Scribehound Gardening. Such a wonderful range of thoughts and information to listen to in the morning. Lia, I loved your piece - it really brought the gardening by the moon thing to life and I’m looking forward to joining in, starting with the tulip bulbs 😄
I'm so sorry not to reply to this sooner, and so delighted you are enjoying it! I love having something calm and interesting to read each morning (to stop me scrolling...)
Me too Anne, it's a little treat each day 🙂
An advent calendar of writing!
This week has really felt very wintery here in the North East of England. It's been very cold! The big puffy jacket is out alongside warm scarves. Gloves and big boots on standby. Candles and twinkly lights alongside cosy blankets are my tonic for the dark nights ahead and being lucky enough to be able to afford to put the heating on which makes a huge difference 🙏
Sending solidarity to everyone in need right now . Hope you can find some light amidst the dark times xxx
So lighting fires & reading Carly Mountain ‘s Descent & Rising :Womens Stories & the embodiment of the Inanna Myth has kept the sense of patriarchal victory at bay🙏 otherwise eating beautiful soups with the minerality of cavolo nero means winter is here 🌧️ and walking in a continual gloaming keeps the spirit warm .The robins in our garden are now friendly again swimming in the birdbath and whirring their wings -a vignette of calm amidst the stormy world we inhabit 🍁🌿