Dear Linda,

Thank you for taking us with you on your daily walk towards the river. I can hear the leaves crunching under your feet, the sound of the river rushing in the distance, the birds doing their daily thing. I consider myself fortunate to be able to live in a place of such beauty. I know you do too.
I took a short drive yesterday to visit a friend nearby. It was a glorious day and, as I was driving, tears came to my eyes; such a beautiful, glorious day, and here I am. Then I read your comment and smiled. You feel that way too.

Thank you for your kind words and loving support. What I write resonates with you because that is how you are and feel too.

Enjoy the weekend. Hope you get to enjoy your time outside. 💜

There is something so special about stillness. I’ve been walking more lately. It’s such an uplifting time of year to be outside, see the colors changing, and smell the crisp, fall air. As I walk, I hear and feel my feet hitting the ground with the sound of leaves crunching below me. I walk quickly most of the time. Not because I’m in a rush, but because I feel energized by the colors and feeling that surround me. When I get to the end of the block, I enter the woods and start down the path. Sometimes I tear up because it’s so beautiful. And still, I hear my the sound of my feet hitting the ground and crunching the leaves. And then I stop- not because I’m tired, but because I want to hear the sound of the woods. No more foot sounds. Instead the music is made of leaves rustling, birds chirping, water rushing down below in the Croton River. It’s so peaceful just me in the woods. I take some deep breaths to breathe in the clear air and earthy scents. And then I turnaround and head home, smiling and humming all the way…stopping every so often to snap a photo of a leaf newly turned red or orange.

So much joy in this season of change.

Dear Natasha,

Thank you for your thoughtful response and for taking the time to reflect on the rituals that bring you home and make you feel comforted.

You are right, often we view our tasks, seasonal and otherwise, as part of our “to-do” list. We do them automatically, often with a sense of annoyance. We forget to see how these “tasks” are the rituals that ease our transition from season to season and from moment to moment. They define our place in time and support our sense of homecoming and being. They comfort us and put us at ease with ourselves and the time and place we inhabit.

Enjoy preparing your plants for the upcoming seasons. 🍂💕

Big hugs ❤️

The task that did jump out as an enjoyable one for me that could be redefined from another “to do” into part of a ritual, is the “bringing in of the plants”. That one involves repotting some, cutting back some, and then trying to find their parking spaces for the winter- this in itself is tricky as there are more and more plants coming in, and the older ones are getting bigger and bigger!

To look at it as a ritual brings a feeling of love and comfort that I had not let myself enjoy. I love my plants, and the worry of whether they will make it through the winter, if they will have enough sun here or there- those worries and the anxiety of having more things to do, not enough time etc,… that attitude towards this act overshadowed what you have helped me see as something special. My plants have always given me great joy, and to see them as part of my annual rituals is special and fun. In fall they come in, and in spring they go out. Simple as that, and the simple can so often be so special! 🙂

Good morning, Kathleen ❤️🍂
I can almost see you in front of the window, enjoying your morning tea and taking in the landscape. I hope this pause infuses your day with calm and inspiration.
Sharing space with all of you has been a gift. I am deeply grateful for you and all who join to share questions, insights, and words of encouragement and support.
Thank you for being here.