Wednesday, October 1, 2008

October

Many, many years ago I read
"Simple Country Pleasures" which was a monthly article in Country Living Magazine. It was written by Jo Northrop. She had the talent to describe nature and the seasons so well! I appreciated every month and every season as seen through her eyes and her writings. After reading these articles for a couple of years, I found out that Jo Northrop was legally blind. The articles stopped appearing around 1994, and I finally got word that Jo had passed away.

I saved quite a few of these articles, and occasionally I pull them out to read again. I'd like to share October with you as "seen" through the eyes of Jo Northrop.

"Woodcock, woodbine, and woodsmoke signal October's arrival with sunny, crisp mornings. The month is filled with golden days that drift into evening shadows and an autumn chill that beckons us to hearth and fire...The colors of autumn amaze us year after year. It is like seeing a great play more than once. We know the characters, we know the beginning and end, but each time the play is fresh and new; we are simultaneously comfortable and yet awestruck ...
On a sparking afternoon, we tread on fallen leaves that resemble a paisley carpet flung beneath a treetop canopy. It is refreshing to feel so close to the autumn land and to consider what the trees and woodland mean to us...

When October comes, the weather is still fine, so we can sit outside and watch the moon rise while the stew simmers. October evenings are smoke-tinged and tweedy-the sound of a neighbor chopping wood carries clearly, peacefully through the nippy air.

When October comes, and when October goes, October lingers in the mind and warms against the cold."

Happy October everyone. I hope your weekend will be beautiful. We are headed to Washington to see a very special daughter!

10 comments:

Brenda Pruitt said...

Oh, I remember her! She was great. So nice of you to inspire us with her memory.
Brenda

Susie said...

What a wonderful post Meadowview. Isn't amazing how some people are so talented. She described October so perfectly. It really is a wonderful month. B careful and have a safe trip to Washington. Should be lovely this time of year.

Meadowview Thymes said...

Brenda--I was really hoping someone might remember her! She left quite an impression on me.

Susie--Jo did describe October perfectly, as she did every month. My daughter tells me the weather is beautiful in DC right now. Hope to take pictures to post!

CiNdEe's GaRdEn said...

That was lovely! Thanks for sharing(-:

Meadowview Thymes said...

Cindee--I was very happy to share such lovely thoughts!
PS--again, your home decorations are sooo cute!!!

Nola said...

What a sweet article, and a lovely little village scene!
Yes, that's cypress vine in almost ALL my photos. It has gone wild and the hummingbirds LOVE it; it was so thick on the fence that I didn't even have to put out feeders! I love the flowers and the lacy foliage almost as much as the hummers do!

tina said...

What a heartwarming way to experience fall. How touching! Thanks for sharing and saving her articles.

Meadowview Thymes said...

Thanks Nola--that's my Dept 56 Fall village.
I love cypress vine too. This is my first year to have it. I heard it re-seeds and I can count on it next year--hope that is so!

Tina--I am so glad I saved her articles. I have read them so many times, and they never fail to inspire and delight me!

Susie said...

Happy Birthday to You Meadowview!!!!!

Meadowview Thymes said...

Thanks Susie!! :)