* IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD *

♪ ♪   It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood....   ♪ ♪

 

♪ ♪  Won't you be my neighbor?!  ♪ ♪

 

Ah, yes it is a glorious day in my neighborhood today: sweatshirt and jeans weather...my favorite!

 

I've been given a gift...to be outside enjoying this bright, sunny day with a crisp in the air...because I have to run some errands...post office, grocery store, etc. but just wanted to post something before I left.

 

Here are a couple of photos from my neighborhood from last fall - 2015. How fortunate I am to live in the beautiful Midwest!

 

 

 

 

 

Have a blissful, beautiful day!

 

 

“I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”
― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

 

“Ah, September! You are the doorway to the season that awakens my soul... but I must confess that I love you only because you are a prelude to my beloved October.”
― Peggy Toney Horton

 

“October had tremendous possibility. The summer's oppressive heat was a distant memory, and the golden leaves promised a world full of beautiful adventures. They made me believe in miracles.”
― Sarah Guillory, Reclaimed

* YIKES - IT'S OCTOBER! *

Wasn't it just five or six days ago that I wrote about it being September 1st ?? As I've said before, sometimes I wish I could lasso the earth and slow it down...a lot! But, since I'm not Superman or Superwoman, I guess I'll have to skip along the treadmill of life with everyone else! (I don't jog...I skip! It's much more fun.)

So if life must rush along, then I'm glad it's autumn again...my favorite time of the year, and October is my favorite month for various reasons: birthdays, football season, the St. Louis Cardinals in the playoffs! J  Go Cards!

I just love this comic strip. I think it came out in 2012 because that's when I first posted it.
Thank you, Patrick McDonnell, creator of Mutts!

Below are some of my favorite quotes about autumn:

"Listen! the wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves, we have had our summer evenings, now for October eves!" - Humbert Wolfe

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns." - George Eliot

 

"Listen to the trees as they sway in the wind. Their leaves are telling secrets...." -- Vera Nazarian, The Perpetual Calendar of Inspiration 

 

 

 

* A BRIGHT, AUTUMN BACKGROUND *

                        ♪ The falling leaves drift by my window.
                                     The falling leaves of red and gold. ♪

Ahh, I love autumn! It's my favorite time of the year, and today I decided to add some glorious fall colors to my background. This photo is one of the trees in our front yard in November 2012. (We've since moved, but I get to see thousands of beautiful leaves in my new neighborhood, too.)

It may be a bit "too busy" for my background, but I won't have it up for very long. Soon it will be time for another change, as in the changing leaves...!

Ba-Dum tssshhh...Rim Shot!

 

 

 

I hope to be back to blogging sometime soon. I miss everyone very much!

 

 

 

 

 

"I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers." - L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables



* Nostalgic Sunday *

It's Time for Another Nostalgic Sunday

These cooler autumn temperatures always make me sentimental. Going back to school every fall was one of my favorite things; shuffling along side streets and purposely walking where I could crunch through dried leaves, the chill in the morning and night breezes, and some warmth in the sunny afternoons.

And the smell of the first burst of furnace air.... Ahhhh.... I was given that gift this weekend. There's only a couple of odors that immediately carry me back in time and this is one of them. 

The house we lived in until I was seven had a coal furnace in the basement. I remember seeing the delivery truck come by and unload a bunch of loose coal down a chute, and also seeing my dad shovel coal into the furnace.

Microsoft Clip-Art

What about you? Do you have any memories of furnaces or fireplaces? 

"There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, as now in October." --  Nathaniel Hawthorne

* This and That on a Wednesday *

Happy Wednesday, everyone!

I've been feeling a bit "autumnly" for a few days, but our weather is wacky, and today was warmer and more humid again. Yet, October is right around the corner, and the beginning of my favorite time of the year....October, November and December. The aromas of traditional meals and desserts, seeing family and friends, drinking those yummy flavored coffees, and burning lovely scented candles. Ahhh, heavenly!

I thought I'd share some photos from around my house. Even though they are from past years, many of you may not have seen them before.

From November 2010

From October 2011

My fireplace in September 2010

Are you reading anything really great right now? Do you have any favorite books for particular seasons....like favorite movies?

I'm rereading "Crazy Ladies: A Novel" by Michael Lee West. (The chapters progress though quite a few years and aren't about any certain seasons or holidays, although they certainly are mentioned.) I first purchased and read it in 2006. (I know this because I wrote my name and the date inside! And that reminded me of my excitement when receiving brand new books at the beginning of each school year!) If you click on the title, it will take you to its page on Amazon where it averaged 4 out of 5 stars in 118 reviews! I loved it in 2006 and I'm loving it again in 2012!

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Besides being an author of about a zillion books...well, maybe not quite that many, Ms. West also cooks and bakes and decorates. I have no idea where she gets the energy! Click Here to visit Rattlebridge Farm. AND please click Here to visit her website. She's awe-inspiring!

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One More Thing about Michael Lee West: She also wrote a book blurb for my memoir, of which I will be forever grateful, but that is not the reason I rave about her or her writing. That all comes straight from my heart and I know she knows that, too. 

Lastly, the fabulous Jennifer Daiker over at Unedited is hosting Guest Bloggers and I will be the featured guest next Monday, October 1st. Please stop by and browse all through Jen's blog. She is amazing!


*Welcome to my newest followers, Riet and Lady Cat. I hope you'll stop by often and always enjoy what you read and see! Thank you! *   


"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns." - George Eliot

Intense Colors & Joy

I've mentioned before that autumn is my favorite season. I wasn't sure what kind of affect the crazy summer weather would have on the leaves in my part of the world, but I must say I haven't been a bit disappointed!

When I've been in my car the past few days, I could barely keep my eyes on the road due to my "Tree Admiring, Shrub Gawking, Foliage Observing" driving!

I thought many internal "Oohs and Aahs" and even shrieked some outloud....all to myself, while meandering through winding roads.

When I left to go on errands today I even took my camera with me. I realized immediately, though, I wasn't going to be able to stop and take pictures.

I would've been stopping every few feet, rolling down my car windows, taking pictures of gorgeous trees in people's yards....and would've probably had the police called on me! I'm going to have The Ronald drive me and see how that works. ☺ 

So..when I got back home this afternoon, it was time for Vern's walk. We try to go on one every single day. He gives me the incentive to do it even when I don't really want to, because he just loves it! AND, an added side benefit to that is....it certainly has helped with my weight loss. I've lost between twelve and fourteen pounds, depending on how well I eat any certain day! I plan to lose at least eight more.

Vern snoozing last Saturday evening, after a hard day....consisting of one walk and lots of rest!

Anyway, while on our walk today, I picked up a few lovely leaves to share with y'all. These were right in my neighborhood which is just breathtaking.

While stooping down to pick these up, a flood of school day memories hit me: Walking home from fifth grade, shuffling through the fallen leaves carrying an armful of books, seeing a pile of burning leaves at the edge of the street, hearing the crackling noise and inhaling that intoxicating aroma, reliving the two-sentence conversation I had with the current boy of my dreams....Ahh, it seems like yesterday.

Bittersweet October. The mellow, messy, leaf-kicking, perfect pause between the opposing miseries of summer and winter." ---Carol Bishop Hipps

* Nostalgic Sundays *

   A beautiful Sunday in October.

"Opie. Aren't you a bit chilly in that short sleeved shirt?"

"Heck no, Aunt Bee. I'm a kid."

(The above dialogue is not from the show. They are my words.)

Why did adults always think we needed a coat or sweater just because they were cold? And how many of us do that today?  ☺

My back yard neighbor's...taken in 2009.

My front yard and street...taken in 2009.

No, the fall colors are not like this yet, but I eagerly anticipate them.

 

 

 

"Once you begin looking, you may be surprised to discover just how much joy your world has to offer." --Thomas Kinkade