The turkey has been devoured, the china has been washed and dried and returned to the cupboard, the lace tablecloth is freshly ironed and replaced in its drawer. My little cottage is quiet. We had a marvelous time as we cooked together, said thanks together, ate well, and laughed much. The phone rang often as distant family members called to say Happy Thanksgiving.
Today I took a long walk in the late November sunshine. The trees are showing their bones; the landscape is painted in muted shades of buff and brown. Now at twilight, the sky is blanketed in a quilt of dove gray. The air is damp but still unseasonably mild. We are headed toward the longest night of the year after which the light will begin its slow but steady increase. Now is the time for hunkering down. For me, winter is not a season of death so much as one of rest, a time to withdraw and be quiet, to renew ones' self.
17 comments:
I read recently that for Nature, fall is "planting time," since that's when all the seeds are set free.
I like that idea.
As for the hunkering down and resting, I grow closer and closer to true hibernation each year!
June - set free and set. New leaf buds are set at the ends of branches on many trees and plants, waiting on the spring to start them growing. Both are hope-full!
I would enjoy to see that sun longer in the evenings.Flying into the sunset the other day extended the time for me.
Our weather has been so mild it does not seem that winter is on its way. I am sure the first cold morning I will be shocked.
The words are so beautiful ---
and the photo is perfect.
A quiet beauty ---
hunkering down...yes it is..it is good we have the holidays during this time to shed a little light in on it and be around family...they say we should turn cold by the end of the week...
Sounds like you had a wonderful time Pauline.
As usual, your walk in the November sunshine transported me right there. Did you notice me skulking in the trees?
Too busy hunkering. I know that feeling.
OOTP - I don't mind the dark in winter but I am more pleased to see the increasing light in spring!
Tabor - I know. Me too!
Thanks J :) Walking in the waning light in such unexpected warmth is blissful.
Brian - supposed to turn cold here, too. I hope so. The poor flowering trees and shrubs are beginning to think it's time to bloom again!
Rise - I thought that was you ;)
I'm sure it was a great feast with loved ones around. You paint such a beautiful picture of the pre-winter landscape. It all makes me want to yawn and then hibernate.
Sounds like a perfect Thanksgiving holiday.
I like how you describe winter-- to renew one's self. I think I'll work on doing that too.
Cheers.
Sounds like a lovely day with a fine anticipation of the upcoming season. Only you could make the bland colours of November sound beautiful with "shades of buff and brown" and "a quilt of dove gray."
Barbara - I always want to hibernate when the cold hits, too!
JJ - it was a lovely time. And yes, winter is a good time to rest up and renew
Hilary - thanks. I love the colors of winter...
I'd like to hibernate, or at least sleep more during these short days.
B - I am imagining myself snuggling back under the quilts next winter when I'm retired!
This is exactly why I love winter.
It feels like it should be a time of rest, but for some reason I'm always busier. So it's a season of conflict!
For me, as well, winter is a time of peace and reflection and yes, hunkering down. That describes it perfectly. There is really little else to do in the cold, cold temps. we get here, so I'm glad I like it! xx
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