Mellow Daze

 

On a Day in Autumn

 

Look Down

 

A Wish for November

May you grow still enough to hear the small noises earth makes in preparing for the long sleep of winter, so that you yourself may grow calm and grounded deep within.

                                                             Br. David Steindl-Rast

My friend Barb posted this on her blog last year. It seems especially appropriate in this fraught November.

 

Just Beginning

 

Leaf Fall

The trees that have been so beautiful are shedding their finery and taking on their severe winter aspect. 

                                                         

                                                          

On Tuesday, the big mulberry in the pasture was a blaze of chrome yellow. Then the air got cold--into the twenties--and on Wednesday morning, there was a chrome yellow carpet at the base of the bare-branched tree.  

Roses still bloom in a sheltered spot, but the cold time is upon us. 

My mind turns to baking, to soups and stews, to reading by the fire, to painting in the sunny dining room.

 I love having four distinct seasons--even if the season we're entering is my least favorite. The bare trees let us see the shape of the land, and the barren aspect of that land is deceptive--not dead but awaiting a glorious resurrection.

Spring wouldn't be half so sweet if it didn't follow   bitter Winter. 

If You're Tired of Autumn, Skip This Post

 

Shining Tree

I am slightly besotted with this tree.

 

To the Top of the World

Sunday was heart-breakingly gorgeous, and we went with friends to see some property they were thinking about purchasing.

One piece comes with two funky barns and a lovely view.

We poked our heads in the gray barn and found what looked to be an ad hoc sort of a gentlemen's club--a couple of lawn chairs, an empty whiskey bottle, and other evidence of leisure activity.

Country charm, as a realtor might say.

                                                                                   

Adjoining this acreage and higher up was another bit of land with a nice house and a fine view. 

So much to love about these mountains! But wait, said Justin, you need to see the place where I'm working these days. It's just up the road. . .

So we piled into our various vehicles (all 4WD, up being the operative word here.) After twisting and winding up and up and up a one lane gravel road for what seemed like a very long time, we came to Justin's work site.

Now, that's a view! (Yes, we cautioned Josie to stay away from the edge.)

It was breath-taking. And the wind's gentle murmur and the sparkle of the sun on yellow leaves enhanced the experience.

Blue Elephant was along for the adventure, of course.

The rather tiny house that Justin and Gilberto (of Good Morning Builders) are working on is set a little below the top for protection from the wind.  I assume it's meant as a vacation house--the road could be a real challenge in winter.

What a great spot for contemplation!

I look forward to seeing pictures of it when it's completed.

So much beauty down the backroads of our county. (This particular backroad is just across the street from Josie's school and there are many houses and farms along it.) 

Under Grey Skies