Much have I spoken of the faded leaf;
Long have I listened to the wailing wind,
And watched it ploughing through the heavy clouds,
For autumn charms my melancholy mind.
When autumn comes, the poets sing a dirge:
The year must perish; all the flowers are dead;
The sheaves are gathered; and the mottled quail
Runs in the stubble, but the lark has fled!
Still, autumn ushers in the Christmas cheer,
The holly-berries and the ivy-tree:
They weave a chaplet for the Old Year’s bier,
These waiting mourners do not sing for me!
I find sweet peace in depths of autumn woods,
Where grow the ragged ferns and roughened moss;
The naked, silent trees have taught me this,—
The loss of beauty is not always loss!
Elizabeth Drew Stoddard
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I noticed that November 4 is “Common Sense Day.” I was reading the news this week, and I think they cancelled that day. I found no evidence of it, anyway.
I hope you and Finley are frolicking together in the Autumn leaves!
I wondered who might catch that one! I laughed typing it. That was Finley running last Fall. She’s had plenty to play in just from the ones falling. But she’ll need a good run like that soon!
Although one must search high and low for common sense in our world, November 4th is indeed “Use your common sense day.” Hmmmm. I wonder if anyone will notice if we do.
Ha ha! So true!
Finn, it looks like you’re in my front yard. I don’t feel any sorrow over the arrival of fall. To me it means the good times are about to start. Snow, cold, crystals in the air, maybe I’ll ski. Maybe some year I’ll write a dirge to the arrival of summer. Something about mosquitos, deer flies, heat, <3
Finn said she loves the leaves and asked, “Can I wear my sweater?” I love the cooler air; but it seems we bypassed Fall today with cold and wet-I wished my joints liked that! The snow where you are is so much more enjoyable! But I’ll take this over the mosquitoes and heat. I want to read your dirge! 🤍🐶
I need to write it. I will have to wait for July when it’s really dark and the mosquito spray truck goes by irritating the dogs and protecting everyone from West Nile. If I were rich, I’d spend the summer in Patagonia!! 😀
💛👏🏻
It seems Finley isn’t going to be able to hide in those leaves. He’s so cute.
Aww, thank you Kathy. She has a gender neutral name doesn’t she? I love Huck Finn and the Finley River. So Finn seemed perfect for this little girl. She is easy to hide! I hope your first day of November has been wonderful! 🤍❤
We always had male dogs. I guess it was natural for me to assume she was a he.
She’s the first female dog I’ve had! I understand. I hate even saying anything because she certainly doesn’t care! lol many call her “he”. She hears “cute” only. 🥰🐾
A very newsy newsletter! Finley is adorable! My friend saintvi dresses her dog Oreo in all kinds of outfits – on Halloween he had a sweater with a Jack-o-lantern that had flashing LED lights in it! Very spooky when it got dark out!! I bet Finn loves to feel cozy in her sweaters!!
Thank you, Val! Finley loves her cozy sweaters (wearing one now!) but I failed to put her in her taco costume on Halloween. But she didn’t seem to mind ;). Dogs are so fun!
Is it really November already? So hard to believe, and yet there it is. Thank you for this post and for the reminder to mark our time with intention and gratitude. That is a reminder I need almost daily. Blessings!
It’s here! Thank you, Russell for your kind words and support. Blessings to you, too!
Karla, my favorite month left too quickly. Now November is here and soon December! Finley is adorable!
I understand completely! Thank you so much, Pam. Take care.💛
Hi Finley!! Frolick away!!
Hi, Regina! Woof woof! 🍁🐾
Loved your newsletter for November… Finley is darling!. 🙂
Thank you so much, Linda! 🥰
Great thoughts. We spent October traveling to visit family. I wouldn’t trade that for the world. Finley looks just like my dog Mia. Take care. Scott 🤗
Thank you, Scott. I’m so glad you were all able to visit one another. That’s the best indeed. Finley has a twin~Mia! That’s awesome. Take care!
My Mom’s birthday is on Common Sense Day….hmmmm!
See? I’m sure she’s the best example! 🥰
what a gorgeous photo and caption: ‘Finley Frolicking’ — and poem; I love that line ‘the loss of beauty is not always loss’ ; inspirational as always 🙂
Thank you, John. I appreciate your support and encouragement! 😊
you’re welcome 🙂
😊
Really loved your calendar for November and yes I laughed when I read “common sense day” for November 4th, which hey is today. Not much evidence of that around even though I’ve kept mine intact yet because I have, I seem to some to be a bit wacked. I don’t care. I will not fall for the narrative, never have. I live LIFE. I heard a saying from a documentary I was watching that said, “Those who are afraid of dying are afraid to live.” Hmmmmm ….. so true!!
Can you believe it is November already? What? October just started! Good luck finding those colors! So appreciate your attitude and your outlook on life. I smiled as I saw your Finley frolicking. Shouldn’t we all be doing that very same? xo
It’s hard to believe it’s November! And I love your response and view on living! We get one shot at this-~let’s be as joyful as we can!!! Just like a puppy 🐶. Xoxo
My cats have kept my KID in me alive and well, Karla. LOL You should hear and watch me sometimes. I even invited my ever so serious Hubby to join in the fun last night. Not holding my breath but ya never know. Teehee ….. xo
Too fun, Amy! I love it! Or I could say, “you’ve got to be kitten me right meow!” 🤭
Wonderful to see Finley playfully running through the leaves. I don’t think I can keep up with his energy. As Stoddard’s poem shares: autumn’s peace will carry us through the winter’s silence until spring awakens again.
I love that line of peace too, Richard. I will cherish it. Finley eventually tires~but after lots of play too!
The 20th sounds like a real good day…
Pretty absurd isn’t it?
Wait–there’s a common sense day? Worse, it’s almost over, and I missed it. I feel like Linus out in the wrong pumpkin patch… J.
I know, right?! I can see Linus now. Don’t worry, Absurdity Day is coming up on the 20th. I’m sure I’m ready for that one!
Aha–that must be the pumpkin patch where I was sitting. Well, I’ll just hold tight then…. J.
Yes! 🤣
A wonderful post for November! I love your descriptions and your poem ending is perfect!
Thank you, Dwight! I appreciate your support very much!
You are welcome.
A tardy well-wish for this November to you, Karla! And thank you for refollowing my blog. Ye Olde WordPress did it’s why the heck severing of our connection apparently.
Thank you, Mark! Ye Olde WordPress, that made me giggle! It has a mind of its own for sure. There are several I’ve had to go back to follow again and sadly, some may think I’ve unfollowed? Crazy! Have an awesome day!
I’m late to the party and see that I just missed Kindness Day. I’m pretty sure I was kind. Mostly. I may have been cranky once or twice. A little. You, friend K.L., do a marvelous job of bringing out the gentle and gracious. Peace and all good.
Thank you so much, Steve. I appreciate your kind words and encouragement! I just know you were kind. I can be cranky too, lol. Peace and goodness to you my friend.
Finley! Such a beautiful action shot! 😁 Learning, every day. A goal of mine for this new year. To intentionally acknowledge something I have learned each day, and to be grateful for having learned each and every single thing.
Wonderful to hear of your first book signing! And the generosity of K’s Koffee in hosting you there. 🙂 I pray 2022 brings in many more blessings such as these. I’m still working on my own writing, and publishing, and marketing as I go! Your sharing provides much encouragement to me, thank you. 🧡
Hamish! It’s so good to see you my friend! I’m glad this post is inspiring. Finn and me are continuing right along. The new year came with a bang of challenges, but it’s only giving me more determination to keep moving forward. I’m so happy to hear your writing is going well, too. I’m sorry when I’m not able to read as much as I hope! Take care and may God continue to bless you and yours! 💚🙏🏻