August Reflections


Yesterday I was talking to my dad on the phone while sitting on the backyard swing.  I was soaking up the morning sun beams before the heat of the day, when Canadian geese flew above me in their V formation.  Oh my, if that isn't a sight for sore eyes for this cool weather lover.

August for me is a reflective month.  I dislike the heat and humidity (this year so far very manageable).  However, August loves to show soft signs of autumnal changes.  A single maple leaf placed in a sea of green grass.  Black walnut leaves littering the back roads and yes, walnuts falling as well.  My driveway is sporting a few fallen acorns from my mighty oak tree.  All good, all welcome, beautiful.


So while the humidity climbs today, I'm keeping copious notes of the seasonal changes I witness in a notebook.  Each entry makes me a little giddy.  I've endured the summer, I enjoyed the summer but it's time to move to the next season.


Since my husband is in academia, the end of August for me is the beginning of a new (school) year.  I'm crafting reading lists that delve into serious topics and shelving those 'beach' read books that I've enjoyed the past few months.  I might even read George Washington's biography, it's a hefty book. In August, start thinking of the knitting I might want to do for the holidays.



August is also the month of endless zucchini!  One plant - and I have more than I ever thought possible.  When the tomatoes ripen we will have too many of those as well.  Bountiful and blessed.


We have one week left of our staycation and so far so good.  Every day for dinner has been a big salad and I've done minimal to no cooking.  We sit by the pool with our books and relax.

Life is good!



Comments

  1. BonnyAugust 18, 2017 at 9:41 AM

    Thank you for your lovely photos and words that capture the waning of summer and the slowly approaching fall. We've got loads of acorns and walnuts falling, but I'm anxiously awaiting my first Canada geese sighting. Life is pretty good!

    ReplyDelete
  2. VeraAugust 18, 2017 at 11:08 AM

    I've been seeing some geese as well, but really I think they have become sort of year-round visitors. Hard to tell if they are really flying south or just moving to another field. Love that last picture of the fern. We have been lucky this summer as well not to have been totally wiped out by hot, humid weather. A few days, but as you say manageable. I, too, am ready for Fall - my most favorite time.

    ReplyDelete
  3. elizabethAugust 18, 2017 at 11:19 AM

    I love the change in seasons too. it's a lovely thing. I am hoping to do a staycation with my Husband in September!

    ReplyDelete
  4. kathy bAugust 18, 2017 at 1:45 PM

    easy to no dinner prep is my go to right now. I'm so done with cooking. Once the weather shifts I'll be all crock pot crazyagain! Pretty flowers

    ReplyDelete
  5. MonicaAugust 18, 2017 at 2:01 PM

    Sounds wonderful Karen! I'm so jelly! :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. LindaAugust 18, 2017 at 3:10 PM

    in the fall, when I see the geese flying over - I always yell out - goodbye - have a great trip...when I see them returning in the following spring (or whenever it is they come back) - I yell out - welcome back! I'm sure my neighbors think I'm a whacko LOL!

    Linda in VA

    ReplyDelete
  7. chrisknitsAugust 18, 2017 at 4:23 PM

    I just love Fall, can't wait for it, never want it to end!!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. JaneAugust 18, 2017 at 7:50 PM

    I have noticed some signs of autumn on my morning walks. Life is good.

    ReplyDelete
  9. AnonymousAugust 18, 2017 at 10:20 PM

    Ahhhhhhhhhhh....the sweet days of early fall. Wish we had them here. We are still in the throes of summertime.

    ReplyDelete
  10. TannaAugust 19, 2017 at 8:49 AM

    Such beautiful images and words, Karen... you capture the waning summer so well... I love it! The shift from summer to fall is my MOST favorite of all... I think it goes back to "starting to school" days... the excitement... the promise... ;) Thank you for the beautiful eye candy treat. blessings ~ tanna

    ReplyDelete
  11. Caffeine GirlAugust 19, 2017 at 10:57 AM

    Wow, what a lovely staycation. We've tried having them, but with four parents in their 80s -- two with dementia -- it just doesn't work. Thanks goodness we are leaving to Door County tomorrow.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Jeannie Gray KnitsAugust 19, 2017 at 12:06 PM

    Beautiful photos! Autumn is my favorite season & I have THE worst case of Fall Fever this year. It started in early July when I found a dead, bug eaten leaf in the yard. I can not wait to wear sweaters & flannel, set pumpkins everywhere, eat candy corn & enjoy cool, crisp air instead of this blasted humidity we've been having this summer. Wow! I sound like a major whiner. But this summer, the air has been more like soup than air.

    ReplyDelete
  13. RachelAugust 20, 2017 at 10:32 AM

    Thank you for the beautiful pictures. You're right, August is such a reflective-type month. I've been in a much better mood as the air begins to cool, and am so much looking forward to autumn. We're beginning a new "school year" this week as well...you've inspired me to update my book-list!

    ReplyDelete
  14. Needles and WoolAugust 22, 2017 at 9:04 PM

    I am seeing some signs of the coming of fall now. Tonight was chillier outside and I even saw some leaves fall to the ground. lovely photos and glad you are enjoying your staycation, sounds relaxing :)

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment


Your comments are welcome as long as they are relevant to the post and spread joy, thank you for visiting and sharing your ideas.

Popular posts from this blog

Weekends

Image
My weekend happily contained: -wearing the above woolens all at the same time without being hot -so many walks and taking in the changing leaves. -a leaf shower on Saturday-the wind swirled the leaves off the trees up in the air to float down -changing screen savers to autumn themes! -a craft fair where my husband and I say "we could make that", but we don't. -french fries at the craft fair -scrambled eggs and toast for dinner because we were lazy. -football season has descended in my house. he was in the front room watching whatever is on today -I sat in the family room and watched A Tree Grows in Brooklyn .   Now I want to read it again. -Oh! I finished the socks!! So I wound up about six skeins of yarn and have three projects ready -started a cowl for me in fall colors (I hope to finish before fall ends) -enjoying Spirits of Joy .  Hannah graciously had a one day free sign up for her birthday at the end of September which I luckily saw on Twitter.  Than...
Read more

Happy List

Image
  - neighborhood pumpkins - my oak trees showing off - new friends at 'school' - Tai Chi hour - lunch out with my husband - cold morning walks - an unexpected warm up - all the fall knitting (imagined and real) - wearing wool - browsing knitting patterns - sister outings - dark chocolate - blue skies - neighborhood dogs - the kids coming to visit next weekend - the to-do lists that I am creating - afternoon reading (possible snooze) - apples! - soups! - hearing the breeze whisper through the trees - setting intentions - giving myself grace when I need it the most - solitude - grandchildren laughing - Holly being Holly - Blue skies - phone calls from family and friends - the kindness of others - assuming everyone is doing their best - drinking water and staying hydrated - hot decaf green tea in a BIG mug - first sip of coffee - geese flying in V formation and honking all the way (delightful!!) - Focusing on gratitude - focusing on joy  What would make your happy list?
Read more

Knitting News

Image
  Good morning to you! How are you? I'm excited about my hat that I've been knitting enjoying the sea of stockinette stitches. When I first started the hat I thought it would be too small, now I wonder if it will be too big. Gah. I will find out soon I guess. I wish the photo about showed how beautiful the colors are in real life, you'll have to trust me on this! Below is my next knitting project, the habitation throw . I will definitely use the pink and gray, I'm still not sure about that purple, I might have a look-see in my stash and do another ponder about that color. I chose this pattern because I can use up some of my stash and I adore Helen Stewart's patterns. What are you working on this week? Also: I will probably not be posting this Friday and the following Monday because of my family visiting. I hope to be back next Wednesday (unless I change my mind).
Read more