Days of Gratitude - Tabula Rasa

I am thankful that
each day is a clean slate
and a fresh, new beginning.

Sunday there was heavy snow to the south of us. We were travelling back from a family gathering, and we stopped a while beside the Manistee River.

At home, there was just a dusting of light snow, soon gone.

Where ever you are, whatever the weather, I wish you the blessing of new beginnings.

Days of Gratitude - November Blooms

I am thankful that sometimes 

roses bloom

 in November.

Snapdragons and lavender 

still greet me,

as I pull thyme and sage from the herb garden 

on a cool November afternoon.

A few sassy nasturtiums still sparkle in the old iron sink on the porch, 

mocking the November sun with the audacity of their yellow glow.

December nears. 

Winter approaches.

 But still we bloom.

Where ever you are, whatever the weather, I wish you delight in your surroundings.

On a Rainy November Afternoon

Walking onto the trail, 

I notice that,

although autumn's color have faded, 

the woods are filled 

with silver and gold.

I am walking

 in a 40 acre nature preserve,

and it is quiet except for 

the autumn song of Lake Michigan's resilient tide.

I see a car leave 

as I arrive.

And then, as I depart,

two women walk down the lane.

toward the lake with their dogs.

I am glad I am not the only one seeking Nature's treasures,

all that silver and gold,

on a rainy November afternoon.

Where ever you are, 

whatever the weather, 

I wish you the joy 

of discovering treasure.

The Pace of November

 There is still plenty to do on the farm in November. We are still harvesting a few late season gems from the garden: Brussels sprouts, tiny second growth cabbages of red and green, even a few lingering florets of broccoli, among other things.  We will be making apple jam this weekend, and digging up some horseradish to grind and preserve.

We are deep cleaning animal shelters and canning room floors after a busy summer.  The pantry needs to be emptied, scrubbed down, and put back in better order.

Despite that long list, the pace of November is slower.  The very air is more still since birds have flown and leaves have fallen.  The wind skirts through bare branches these days.

The morning is a soft sigh and the night a long, deep exhalation. I feel the cool, calm of November fill my being and I breathe it in.

Where ever you are, whatever the weather, I wish you serenity.