Our apples are ripe, and so prolific we are feeding the street, so I guess it must be autumn, though we had our best summer day yesterday. I love all the seasons, but I especially love the changes that herald them - the first snowdrop to brave its head, the first leaf to fall, the first day of sandal wearing, the first frost. My elderly neighbour is always delighted to experience another spring. One day she won’t have any more springs, and that’s a change in season too.
After a stifling, humid, hard-to-breath week here in Kentucky, a hint of autumn came yesterday. A "cold front" brought temps down to around 80 degrees, which prompted me to open every window on my main level. I LOVE the change in seasons and a house that can be cooled with the wind. Thanks for sharing!
Oh wow, those are some temperatures. I can almost feel the relief in your writing as you open the windows! Do you ever get used to summers like that? x
It’s autumn for me too, where you can really feel the weather, getting out the woollies and rain coats but also enjoying those sunny moments with the French doors open.
Autumn for me is about adjusting, but loving and reframing what that means for us ❤️
Oh I love this!! Adjusting, loving and reframing ❤️. It's a time for new beginnings but not in the same way as spring, you have captured it beautifully x
Yes! I've literally been saying to everyone today.. it just "feels" like autumn now 🍂 Something shifted yesterday and today there was that definite cosy, comforting feeling of autumn arriving 👍 Also my favourite season 😍
Love this Emma, Autumn is my favourite season of all and I’m starting to feel the excitement of it. The apple tree is heavy with fruit, plums are being stolen from the little plum tree but the squirrels who stop and look so guilty when I catch them at it, and tonight I went on a locally organised bat walk and listened to them with detectors! So cool! But yes hanging out the washing today there was a feeling in the air, I even got out a few tentative jumpers from the cupboard In anticipation! And I’ve saved pics of pumpkin designs too! Thanks for a beautiful piece, I love seasonal observations ❤️🍁🍂⭐️,
I love bats!! 🦇 and yes it really was in the air today wasn’t it? I wore a hoodie for the first time since spring…but still with flip flops. So confused 🤣. I can almost smell those plums, just gorgeous 🧡🍁
This was beautiful and I relate very much to enjoying all of the seasons in their different ways, and what I love about them changes as I get older. At heart though, I think I am a late summer/early autumn soul, with my birthday falling in early September, it’s a time I have always looked forward to. And yes to Feb birthdays bringing joy, thankfully we have both of my children’s birthdays in January which has created a much more fun and celebratory tone to the month than previously! Thank you for this evocative post, you have me transported straight into autumn days xx
Yes it definitely changes as I get older. Whilst spring has always traditionally been the time of rebirth and new beginnings, I think I now feel that more strongly in autumn. It’s something in the wind, evocative of Vianne Rocher in Joanne Harris’s ‘Chocolat’. Kicking up the leaves to see where they may land with a glint of mischief in the eye 🧡🍁
Definitely yes, I do feel autumn/fall in the air and I'm loving it. While it's a bit early for the leaves to turn their magnificent colors, I did watch a black bear walking along the sidewalks and pathways in my neighborhood this week. No doubt he was scoping out where to find black oil sunflower seeds and suet when the weather gets colder.
Oh wow!!! That’s what happens where you are?? It’s a lot more benign here. The colours haven’t yet had their dramatic change but I feel it approaching… 🧡🧡🧡
It was great to meet you today and having read this article know I will enjoy your writing. If you ever fancy a kick leaves walk/fireside pub or writing sprint let me know Pia
Pia you're here!! So lovely to meet you yesterday. Kicking leaves and a fireside pub sounds delightful. We will stay in touch for sure - I look forward to seeing your writing here - I meant to say my daughter wants to study Italian and Law (!) - it will be brilliant to read your blogs x
Here in opposite world, that little lift of the spirit happened too. The air was lighter, the life-sucking drain of winter is starting to lift.
I opened the doors, the windows, and felt like going down the street!
My 8yr old granddaughter and I went down to Freo, to the crowded shop that sells nuts, dried fruits, chocolates, flours, beans and spices from tubs and bags and bins. We scooped our chosen items into paper bags (mine were various flours and spices for bread and biscuits, hers were various chocolate buttons and chocolate coated pretzels to take home and share with her Mum and Dad and brother)- she said “This is a magic shop - all the colours and smells”. We paid at the counter, stacked our purchases into our calico shoulder bags and wandered on to the Kitchen Shop. We chose bone-shaped biscuit cutters for the sourdough dog biscuits we make for our dogs, and I bought her a new stainless steel insulated water bottle to keep cool water in prep for the hot summer to come. The water bottle has a gentle Koala painted on the outside, and my granddaughter spent the short car trip to the Bookshop naming the Koala.
In our local Independent Bookshop, I bought 2 books written by local authors that I had heard about that morning. I love the hum of people reading in that shop, the quiet intensity of browsing, the discussions over funky gift and greeting cards, and the laughter. My granddaughter has the knack of materialising at the counter with a “Look at this book” just as I get ready to pay, so she adds a book to her haul. I am happy to encourage her reading and love of books! We wait for the old-hand shop assistant to show the new girl how to do something for a guy leaning on the counter in a black tshirt, and then she whispers to the new girl as he leaves “that is Kim Scott” - which made the new girl blush. Kim Scott is one of our local Nyungar acclaimed authors. I have a few of his books on the shelf at home.
As we climb back into the car, my phone buzzes - my grandson’s basketball game is over - an impressive win aided by a couple of good shots from him, including a three-pointer in the closing seconds, and so I drop my granddaughter (nose deep in book) home just 2 minutes down the road from my place.
The dogs are lounging outside on the big beanbag, soaking up some sun at last, and it’s the second day of blowflies! Mulberries are budding on the tree and I start to feel alive again.
The August winds brought me pneumonia - good riddance to them, good riddance to winter!
Oh this is gorgeous, I can feel the Spring in your step! I love Spring when it comes here too. As we head towards winter I feel ok, but in the midst of it, it just feels too long. I want to visit that crowded shop, and the bookshop. What beautiful descriptions, this feels like the makings of a beautiful short story. ❤️
Definitely feeling autumnal this morning Emma. Drizzly warm rain and overcast. I do love that change of season though, ready for wrapping up and snuggling under a blanket, even though I do that all year! Lots of blackberries at our nearby Nature Reserve that I keep meaning to go and collect.
I’ve definitely been feeling autumn in the air these past couple of days! It’s my favourite season by far: After the summer months during which I’m usually the most active and do the most travelling, it’s time to get cosy, go for long walks, stay in and read, start wearing my favourite clothes… I can’t wait ♥️
A definite nip in the air here, with thick mists rolling over the fields on days where the sun has been forecast later. Spiders webs heavy with dew backlit from morning light. The joy of not have to have bare arms, and I know I should rejoice in my body but I hate how my bingo wings have slid down to my forearms 😂
Our apples are ripe, and so prolific we are feeding the street, so I guess it must be autumn, though we had our best summer day yesterday. I love all the seasons, but I especially love the changes that herald them - the first snowdrop to brave its head, the first leaf to fall, the first day of sandal wearing, the first frost. My elderly neighbour is always delighted to experience another spring. One day she won’t have any more springs, and that’s a change in season too.
Jeannie this is achingly beautiful, as always. Gorgeous words ❤️
After a stifling, humid, hard-to-breath week here in Kentucky, a hint of autumn came yesterday. A "cold front" brought temps down to around 80 degrees, which prompted me to open every window on my main level. I LOVE the change in seasons and a house that can be cooled with the wind. Thanks for sharing!
Oh wow, those are some temperatures. I can almost feel the relief in your writing as you open the windows! Do you ever get used to summers like that? x
It’s autumn for me too, where you can really feel the weather, getting out the woollies and rain coats but also enjoying those sunny moments with the French doors open.
Autumn for me is about adjusting, but loving and reframing what that means for us ❤️
Oh I love this!! Adjusting, loving and reframing ❤️. It's a time for new beginnings but not in the same way as spring, you have captured it beautifully x
Thank you xx
Yes! I've literally been saying to everyone today.. it just "feels" like autumn now 🍂 Something shifted yesterday and today there was that definite cosy, comforting feeling of autumn arriving 👍 Also my favourite season 😍
There was something in the air!! Although it's boiling again today 🤣
Love this Emma, Autumn is my favourite season of all and I’m starting to feel the excitement of it. The apple tree is heavy with fruit, plums are being stolen from the little plum tree but the squirrels who stop and look so guilty when I catch them at it, and tonight I went on a locally organised bat walk and listened to them with detectors! So cool! But yes hanging out the washing today there was a feeling in the air, I even got out a few tentative jumpers from the cupboard In anticipation! And I’ve saved pics of pumpkin designs too! Thanks for a beautiful piece, I love seasonal observations ❤️🍁🍂⭐️,
I love bats!! 🦇 and yes it really was in the air today wasn’t it? I wore a hoodie for the first time since spring…but still with flip flops. So confused 🤣. I can almost smell those plums, just gorgeous 🧡🍁
This was beautiful and I relate very much to enjoying all of the seasons in their different ways, and what I love about them changes as I get older. At heart though, I think I am a late summer/early autumn soul, with my birthday falling in early September, it’s a time I have always looked forward to. And yes to Feb birthdays bringing joy, thankfully we have both of my children’s birthdays in January which has created a much more fun and celebratory tone to the month than previously! Thank you for this evocative post, you have me transported straight into autumn days xx
Yes it definitely changes as I get older. Whilst spring has always traditionally been the time of rebirth and new beginnings, I think I now feel that more strongly in autumn. It’s something in the wind, evocative of Vianne Rocher in Joanne Harris’s ‘Chocolat’. Kicking up the leaves to see where they may land with a glint of mischief in the eye 🧡🍁
Oooo Chocolat! And I love the autumnal playfulness you allude to! xx
Definitely yes, I do feel autumn/fall in the air and I'm loving it. While it's a bit early for the leaves to turn their magnificent colors, I did watch a black bear walking along the sidewalks and pathways in my neighborhood this week. No doubt he was scoping out where to find black oil sunflower seeds and suet when the weather gets colder.
xx
Oh wow!!! That’s what happens where you are?? It’s a lot more benign here. The colours haven’t yet had their dramatic change but I feel it approaching… 🧡🧡🧡
😲
Loved that article!
It was great to meet you today and having read this article know I will enjoy your writing. If you ever fancy a kick leaves walk/fireside pub or writing sprint let me know Pia
Pia you're here!! So lovely to meet you yesterday. Kicking leaves and a fireside pub sounds delightful. We will stay in touch for sure - I look forward to seeing your writing here - I meant to say my daughter wants to study Italian and Law (!) - it will be brilliant to read your blogs x
Here in opposite world, that little lift of the spirit happened too. The air was lighter, the life-sucking drain of winter is starting to lift.
I opened the doors, the windows, and felt like going down the street!
My 8yr old granddaughter and I went down to Freo, to the crowded shop that sells nuts, dried fruits, chocolates, flours, beans and spices from tubs and bags and bins. We scooped our chosen items into paper bags (mine were various flours and spices for bread and biscuits, hers were various chocolate buttons and chocolate coated pretzels to take home and share with her Mum and Dad and brother)- she said “This is a magic shop - all the colours and smells”. We paid at the counter, stacked our purchases into our calico shoulder bags and wandered on to the Kitchen Shop. We chose bone-shaped biscuit cutters for the sourdough dog biscuits we make for our dogs, and I bought her a new stainless steel insulated water bottle to keep cool water in prep for the hot summer to come. The water bottle has a gentle Koala painted on the outside, and my granddaughter spent the short car trip to the Bookshop naming the Koala.
In our local Independent Bookshop, I bought 2 books written by local authors that I had heard about that morning. I love the hum of people reading in that shop, the quiet intensity of browsing, the discussions over funky gift and greeting cards, and the laughter. My granddaughter has the knack of materialising at the counter with a “Look at this book” just as I get ready to pay, so she adds a book to her haul. I am happy to encourage her reading and love of books! We wait for the old-hand shop assistant to show the new girl how to do something for a guy leaning on the counter in a black tshirt, and then she whispers to the new girl as he leaves “that is Kim Scott” - which made the new girl blush. Kim Scott is one of our local Nyungar acclaimed authors. I have a few of his books on the shelf at home.
As we climb back into the car, my phone buzzes - my grandson’s basketball game is over - an impressive win aided by a couple of good shots from him, including a three-pointer in the closing seconds, and so I drop my granddaughter (nose deep in book) home just 2 minutes down the road from my place.
The dogs are lounging outside on the big beanbag, soaking up some sun at last, and it’s the second day of blowflies! Mulberries are budding on the tree and I start to feel alive again.
The August winds brought me pneumonia - good riddance to them, good riddance to winter!
😌
Oh this is gorgeous, I can feel the Spring in your step! I love Spring when it comes here too. As we head towards winter I feel ok, but in the midst of it, it just feels too long. I want to visit that crowded shop, and the bookshop. What beautiful descriptions, this feels like the makings of a beautiful short story. ❤️
Awww - thankyou 🥰.
The nights are drawing in, it’s time to look out my cosy warm clothes and it is now the knitting season! https://open.substack.com/pub/createmefree/p/craftfulness-book-review-mend-yourself?r=fu8mh&utm_medium=ios
Jenny what a wonderful article by Kathryn Vercillo. Thank you for drawing my attention to it. I’ve now bought 3 books 🤣❤️🧶
I have been busy crocheting - look forward to reading this!! x
What a beautiful description of Autumn, you're giving me seasonal nostalgia as we round the bend into spring 🙃
Aah....spring... do you get daffs over there? Spring is like a sea of yellow and gentle hope. Love it x
Yes, though I haven't seen any yet, but the magnolias are blooming and the cherry blossoms have just started to bud 🩷
Aah magnolia... magsnowlia...
Definitely feeling autumnal this morning Emma. Drizzly warm rain and overcast. I do love that change of season though, ready for wrapping up and snuggling under a blanket, even though I do that all year! Lots of blackberries at our nearby Nature Reserve that I keep meaning to go and collect.
Yum - I cannot get enough of the blackberries!! They are gorgeous. I'm so with you on the blankets... (all year round) x
I’ve definitely been feeling autumn in the air these past couple of days! It’s my favourite season by far: After the summer months during which I’m usually the most active and do the most travelling, it’s time to get cosy, go for long walks, stay in and read, start wearing my favourite clothes… I can’t wait ♥️
Exactly that. I pulled on my favourite hoodie yesterday, although I was still in flip flops... it's a transition!! x
A definite nip in the air here, with thick mists rolling over the fields on days where the sun has been forecast later. Spiders webs heavy with dew backlit from morning light. The joy of not have to have bare arms, and I know I should rejoice in my body but I hate how my bingo wings have slid down to my forearms 😂
That made me snort into my tea. Although in my book I have declared a ban on the term 'bingo wings' 🤣
Absolutely right too - far too much body shaming goes on! Especially from me to me.
Simply beautiful! xx
🧡🍁