Autumn Blessings

Have I mentioned lately how incredibly grateful I am for all of the amazing blessings that are so abundant in my life?

Probably not, since I have not even posted for many weeks now...

I had a rough few weeks back in August that really threw me off of my normal goofy, happy-go-lucky, calm, go with the flow track...
(Still not sure "why"...but I did have 21 of 33 peri-menopausal symptoms I found listed on a very informative website...
Or perhaps I was suffering from post-best-friend-amazing-10 day visit letdown...
Or the dual emotions of being excited/worried about my traveling gypsy son, who suddenly decided to set off with just a duffle bag to see the world (well, southern California and the desert of Phoenix, so far...!)
Or my increasing feeling of overwhelm from being far too involved in Swap-Bot...
I'm gonna go with any one or combination thereof, since I feel the need to have a "why"!

But then all of those down & out feelings I had been experiencing changed, seemingly with the onset of the change of seasons...

(and a wonderful 20 day long trip "home" to St. Louis to spend time with my amazing 2 year old grandson, beautiful daughter and great friends no doubt helped lift my mood!)

 But even after returning from that trip where I had such an incredible time, and (again) leaving behind my most cherished "babies" (for a few nore months), I have been feeling more on top of the world than ever...

Many others feel a sense of loss, doom, apprehension, anxiety or sadness as autumn and the quickly following winter season approaches...

But for me, it feels like a time of renewal, a time during which I feel closest to nature as I watch Mother Nature encouraging her children to prepare themselves for the possible difficulties ahead during the quiet solitude of harsher weather.

I find myself dreaming of future possibilities, of eagerly looking forward to a nesting period of sorts, of inner contemplation, increasing fortitude and a sense of calm acceptance and a chance to renew depleted reserves of peace and strength.

I spend more time outdoors...
watching leaves change color and twirl softly onto their winter bed of browning grass, listening to the hurried chatter of squirrels as they seek, find, gather and store their sustenance for the upcoming chill, and scan the clear sky blue sky to marvel at the graceful knowing of geese as they fly in their strikingly simple yet highly evolved V formations to warmer places.

So as the days shorten and the darkness lengthens, I feel more content, more settled, more peaceful, more aware of the bounty of blessings which have been bestowed upon me.

Here are just a recent few in photos that I wish to share with you...
(of course my loved ones are at the top of the list, but these are of other random recent happy-making things...)

pretty welcome home flowers from my sweet man...

our beautiful woods to stroll through...

yummy ( and cute!) pumpkin spice lattes...

our much adored hound babies...

delicious, nutritious food....

Mother Natures many-hued paintbrush...

fresh off the vine in our yard blackberries...in OCTOBER!

SURPRISE DATES!

a wonderous, thought-provoking book...

a brand new snuggly warm blankie (not complete w/o dog hairs, even unopened!)

something wonderful to look forward to when the PNW rains are threatening to drown our spirits...!

These are but a small number of the infinite blessings which surround me and fill my days...

As the harvest is gathered and the warm scents of autumn fills the air, what are YOU feeling?

Can you name a few blessings you are reaping during this bountiful season?

*oh yes...and...

 CANDY CORN! Even an almost empty bowl of this sugary goodness bad-for-me-ness brings out my happy inner child! (does anyone else eat only the yellow part because it tastes the best?!)

During this wonderful season, I am finding so many things that keep me...

HAPPY ME-LAURIE Z!