Suddenly it is October! I know because the mailbox was stacked full of bills. The leaves weren’t saying so, nor the climate, for it is still hot at the rabbitpatch! The reliable window fans make all the difference. The night air is a welcome relief from the heat of the afternoon.
For most of my adult life, October was the month, the first fire of the season was made. Unless, things take a drastic turn, that is as highly unlikely, this year as it was last year. We are still battling mosquitoes, at the moment. A cooler weekend is in the forecast, at least. If it holds true, I hope to take a walk by my old friend, “the Laughing River”, for tomorrow, I leave for Elizabeth City, where my very darling granddaughters abide.
Friday has a different feel to it during the school year . It is a light hearted feeling. This is not so in months like July. The liberty of summer does not distinguish a Friday, from the other week days. The hours passed and before I knew it, I was on that familiar stretch of highway, driving past massive fields of cotton . “Snow has blossomed, I thought, for that is what a cotton field looks like this time of year. Then there were the fields of hay. Some fields were picked and hay bales lined the road for miles. October is a golden time in the country. The absence of rain and the abundance of sunshine, are favorable conditions for farmers, now.
I crossed the three rivers and how lovely to see the bright blue water shining and fairly sparkling . The whole world seemed happy in those moments.
Lyla bounded out the back door, calling out “Honeybee!!” when I drove up, and little Brynn smiled and clapped her hands.
I had barely brought my bags in, when it was time to go again. The “artwalk” a monthly event in Elizabeth City was that night. It is one of the things I like about the town. Artists are encouraged to thrive. Whether you are a painter or a potter, a cake decorator , arrange flowers, or a musician, you are honored, in the small town. One shop gave out pumpkins to be decorated and the Flour Girls bakery gave out cupcakes, for children to decorate. Lyla was as “happy as a lark” with such activities and was especially pleased with her pumpkin.
Saturday was cooler, as was predicted. It was so pleasant to feel an autumn breeze, at long last. I have lived my entire life in the south, and just when I think I will surely perish, an autumn breeze blows and my good nature is restored.
Lyla and I sat outside. I told stories about our imaginary community. There are a lot of dolls in the community with names like “Marigold, Gypsy and Helen”. They are bakers and librarians and the Nutcracker keeps the peace, when there are squabbles. A rabbit named Cookie, just went to court, for trespassing and a baby named “Snapdragon” was just born to a friendly witch named Clara. Lyla helps solve problems and gives advice to the Nutcracker, on how to keep peace in the land. A lot can happen in those afternoons when we are telling a story. It is the easiest way I know of to teach compassion, forgiveness and disappointment, for things are not always “fair” in story land, either. . .though all in all, it is a happy place.
Brynn and I spent time on the porch. I would name the things we saw, til I could say words like trees, water and pumpkins, and she would point to the subjects. Brynn loves the porch. . .the swing , especially. When she is “out of sorts” that swing acts like a tonic, on her.
Now science has proven the benefits of swinging-but I knew, already for I have sought the comfort of an old swing on many occasions, myself. Brynn knows too. It seems there is always some study going on -and it will make you shudder to think of the money spent -only to conclude a lot of things, which our elders knew by instinct. . .or by observation.
Lyla was drawing pictures, before breakfast on Sunday morning. Her Aunt Sydney is a bonafide artist and had given Lyla a very nice collection of pencils, markers and crayons, on our visit to meet baby Ryan. Lyla, has made good use of them, ever since. I wondered if Lyla, was like me, waking up full of notions to create, in the first hours of day. ( I love to write in the mornings.)
She drew pictures of us at night, and in all the seasons. I treasure her art, for to me, these are her journals. She is drawing her memories and things hoped for, after all. Lyla takes her drawing seriously , just as her uncle Christian always has.
Will and Jenny decorated the house for autumn and how lovely it looked. Lyla was thrilled as she loves to decorate as much as Miss Claudia ever did. We had an early supper on Sunday and I left with barely enough time to make it home before dark.
I left under a sky the color of apricots. The glow of the light turned everything a warm shade of tawny gold . The water and cotton fields, all seemed to be celebrating early autumn in the twilight hour. I felt content to have had such a weekend. It may sound a bit too ordinary, for many. But, to me it was grand. I cherish stories told under the stars and songs sung in a porch swing. There is an undeniable magic present under such circumstances. It is not idle time, to hold the beloved children, nor to imagine, with them, but instead a deep understanding of one another unfolds- and if there is anything left to wish for . . . .then I don’t know about it.
Lovely. ❤ And I'm so glad things are cooling down and autumn is making herself known for you.
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thank you to a mother who inspires me! best wishes to you and your family for a beautiful autumn!
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I vote for a rename — the Magic Rabbit Patch. Your posts are full of glorious illusions drawn from real life.
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awwh-thank you Sweet Anne. xoxo
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Sweet, sweet pictures, every single one. I love how creative you and your family are. And those stories! Might want to start writing them down.
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thank you Laurie-Imagination has saved my life on occasion.. well, at least it has come in handy! haha! thank you again!
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Imagination brings a lovely and much-needed spark to a person’s life. And it doesn’t cost a thing. All we have to do is imagine and tell stories.
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More good times. I do hope Lyla will keep her love of drawing. Now you know all those ‘babies’ are the cats meow for me. Our next baby girl is due on the 22nd if she doesn’t get so excited to hear her daddy coming home and come earlier. We just never know.
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you and I have a lot in common! Best wishes for the grand daughter-Let us know . . until then, prayers and loving wishes. love Michele
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Beautiful post as usual. Love the pictures of your family. Your poetic writing is so soothing and you weave such a wonderful story in each of your posts. Autumn is such a wonderful time of the year.
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thank you Peggyjoan-what a sweet comment! I hope your autumn is happy and beautiful. love Michele
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Lovely adorable drawing. Just like my daughter’s doodles and drawings. I am drawn t this sentiment and of course, your writing always do justice.
Have a lovely weekend Michelle.
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I hope our darlings always draw! Thank you so much-it is always a pleasure to hear from you. love Michele
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Stories told under the stars, how lovely!
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Girlllllllll, you have the absolutely best writing. I feel like I just opened up my favorite book, read a chapter or two, and can’t wait to read another chapter tomorrow. ❤️ Like a Saturday evening, with a good, old fashioned book. I do adore you, you know!
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well this makes my day! Thank you so much my dear one. I am so glad to hear from you. Isn’t it wonderful to have friends! Love to you and Little Bit! love Francesca xoxoxo
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Thank you ❤️❤️ Blew him a kiss- he’s on the couch. We’re heading to the library– my books are beyond late!! Oops!
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Sounds like the perfect weekend to me!
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I love those kind of days. thank you!
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I have found that appreciation of these glorious yet simple days is the course to peace. Most folks have dozens of carrots dangling before them, and they insist on chasing them constantly. Such stress and fruitlessness.
To be anxious over getting to a gym or racing home on the highway.
Meanwhile, the most beautiful and precious things, golden moments to tuck away, lie right before you.
Seek peace,
Paz
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I must say again, we are kindred. Life is mostly made up of those ordinary moments, and all of them seem to hold bits of beauty. it is a shame to miss it, because we are looking for more. You my friend embrace this and inspire me to do the same. x Michele
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