Maybe next year?
BUT... on Wednesday, while making my usual Old Lady Discount Day trek to the grocery store, I spotted something on the side of the road that filled my heart with joy.
Autumn... the year's last loveliest smile. [William Cullen Bryant]
Seeing the beauty of that one tree was like getting an uplifting smile from Mother Nature.
Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting, and autumn a mosaic of them all. [Stanley Horowitz]
I think there's a lesson in that one tree. I think each one of us can make a positive difference, too. No matter how discouraging things may seem to be, we each have the power to defy the grim faces around us, and to put on our very best finery... a smile.
Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important. [Janet Lane]
One tree can start a forest;
One smile can begin a friendship;
One hand can lift a soul;
One word can frame the goal;
One candle can wipe out darkness;
One laugh can conquer gloom;
One hope can raise your spirits;
One touch can show you care;
One life can make the difference;
Be that one today. [B.J Gallagher]
Be the reason someone smiles today. Making someone smile may not change the world, but it may change that person's world. It may be the only sunshine he sees all day.
Until next time, take care of yourselves. And each other.
Arboreal fireworks at its best. Sadly dry weather can and does diminish the parade of colour. I hope you get some relief soon.
ReplyDeleteAnd have a wonderful weekend.
Yes... arboreal fireworks! Love it. That's exactly what it is.
DeleteIt's deliciously cool today. One of my office windows is open, and the cool breeze feels wonderful. :)
You have a wonderful weekend, too.
This is beautiful! The tree, the poem, the smiling kitty. thank you so much :)
ReplyDeleteThanks. I'm glad you liked it. :)
DeleteA happy post! Oak in top photo seems to be having a hard time, but it'll get there. I gardened for a living over 30 years and got so I changed color throughout the year too. Trees survive. I did.
ReplyDeleteHA! I change color throughout the year, too. Used to be, I got browner in the summers, but now I'm go through shades of white and whiter... with an occasional splotch of over-heated red. :)
DeleteHappy autumn to you!!
ReplyDeleteTo you, too!
DeleteI love autumn, the colours, the smell, the falling leaves that make me forget that I'm an adult as I purposely go out of my way to crunch the leaves underfoot. And I love that poem by B.J Gallagher. So inspiring because it's so true.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the uplifting post Susan and have a fantastic weekend. :)
I love autumn, too. For all of those things you mentioned, and for football games, heartier stick-to-your-rib meals and homemade soups and apple pies.
DeleteYou have a fantastic weekend too. :)
Loved this post!!! The trees that the summer heat did not burn are starting to turn to beautiful colors and the joy of seeing that beauty is much needed. And old Jimmy D, how could one not smile at that face. He made everyone feel happy with his songs.
ReplyDeleteThanks!!! I'm glad you liked it.
DeleteSome of my best memories of fall colors involve driving through the scenic mountain areas of Pennsylvania and Maryland. There's something about seeing all of those wide open spaces and beautiful colors that makes my heart sing.
I loved Jimmy. When our older son was less than a year old, I taught him to do Jimmy's "Ha-cha-cha-cha!" Talk about cute!
We all have more power than we realize.
ReplyDeleteYou're right. One person CAN make a difference.
DeleteThis post made me smile - thank you! Okay, the post and the kitten pic. :)
ReplyDeleteI really like the Camus quote and the one by Janet Lane - so true!
Super! I can't imagine anyone resisting the desire to smile when looking at that kitten's picture. :)
Deleteyou are the one to inspire today. Leaves are quite brown in TX but then there's that one tree that did not get the memo and it shines. I love autumn - it's my PA roots shining through
ReplyDeleteSounds like the view outside your windows pretty much matches ours. But it IS nice and cool here today. The curtains at my office window are dancing in the breeze.
DeleteMaybe it's my MD roots that make ME love autumn. (That and my love for football!)
I like this uplifting post. We've had a lot of trees go from green to brown here too, but there have been some colorful ones too. Hope you have a great weekend!
ReplyDeleteIt seems a lot of the country is seeing a less colorful fall after a long hot summer. But those colorful trees we DO see more than make up for it.
DeleteYou have a terrific weekend, too!
The colors are sure showing here, everywhere you can see and peer. Hope you enjoyed your old lady discount day lol
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to hear you're getting a colorful autumn show this year. And yes, I ALWAYS enjoy my old lady discounts. :)
DeleteI remember watching Jimmy Durante ... love this song.
ReplyDeleteOK, I know this world would be a boring place if everyone liked the same thing (that's what momma used to say). But seriously, I wonder how anyone can't choose Autumn as their FAVORITE of the seasons?
Your words have totally prompted my next post ... but I promise not to filch your title. LOL!
I love that song, too. Others may sing it, but Jimmy D's my favorite.
DeleteYES! Autumn is AWESOME!
Hey, feel free to use the title! If it works for you, take it. :)
I was standing in Walgreens at the Hallmark Card section.
ReplyDeleteAs I picked up cards and reading them one just reached out and tickled me so much I was laughing out loud. Not a giggle but laughing. I pick out 4 of them for friends as I put them in my cart I looked up to see a lady walking away with a big smile.
Sometimes you never know.
cheers, parsnip
Yes! Without a doubt, laughter is contagious!
DeleteBy the way, that is my benchmark for choosing cards: it's either got to make me laugh, or bring tears to my eyes. :)
Cheers back atcha.
Every leaf is a flower...I love that!
ReplyDeleteThat certainly is a beautiful tree.
It sure is. I hope your newest book launch is going well. :)
DeleteI try to be that ONE every day. :-) I love autumn. Love it, love it.
ReplyDeleteGreetings from London.
You made me smile. Somehow, I'm not the least bit surprised that you try to be that ONE every day. It comes across in your writing. :)
DeleteGreetings back atcha.
Happy Autumn to you, friend S ... Am still waiting it/ him to arrive, since we had Summer and then all of a sudden Winter ... Still so much harvest to be done, so me hope Autumn will still squeeze in somehow ... Love, cat.
ReplyDeleteI hope winter goes away for a while and lets you enjoy a good autumn. Here, we usually have a very abbreviated spring, and then summer bullies its way in. (How rude!) But today? It's glorious!!! I actually put on long pants. :)
DeleteWe're full into fall here in Maine, with the bright colors fading fast now, trees going bare, and eight million acorns covering my lawn. One of them might actually grow into a tree...
ReplyDeleteOne of these years, I'd love to see a New England autumn. In photos, it looks unbeatable.
DeleteWe have a bazillion acorns in our yard, too, along with an equal number of gum balls, nature's evil weapon. What's strange about the acorns, though, is in spite of the heat and drought, the acorns are the largest I've ever seen. The squirrels should be very happy... assuming they can pick those suckers up!
Fall is my favorite time of year. I love the cooler temps. But I do not like 85 degree temps in the fall. Fall should be fall; spring should be spring. The temperatures should not trade places. 😉
ReplyDeleteFall is my favorite, too, but we never know what to expect from the season... or any other season... since we moved to GA in '71. The lines between them are kinda fuzzy. :)
DeleteI'm sorry, but if you still have a blog, I couldn't find it. :( I'm not on Google+
Well, I'm very grateful that some of your cool temperatures are moving down here as I am typing this!
ReplyDeleteWell, some cooler temperatures are definitely here today! YAY! I hope they give you some relief soon, too.
DeleteThat tree is glorious! I would like to see such a tree in my yard. The leaves on my tree will turn a dull brown during December or December. They will all fall during a 24-hour period, and then I shall be a busy nasty woman.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
Well, I guess it's better for them all to fall in one swell foop and get it over with than to have to rake and rake and rake week after week after week as they fall in dribs and drabs. You nasty woman, you. #nastywomenunite :)
Deletenastywomengetshitdone.com
Deletenastywomengetshitdone.com
Deletedamnedstraight.edu
DeleteWe didn't make it to 90 degrees here in PA, but it came pretty darn close! I was trying to clear dead foliage out of my herb garden, and the sweat was just rolling off me. I had to go in and check the calendar!
ReplyDeletePerversely, as hot as it was, the pool was too cold for a swim. :/
It's totally weird for you to be having temperatures that warm this time of year. After having several days of record high temperatures, we immediately segued into record lows! The cool stuff is only supposed to last for a couple days, though. Then maybe we'll even out and get to "normal," whatever that is.
Delete(The pool would have cooled you down reeeeal fast...)
Hi Susan - love the Horowitz quote ... but your post ... and the Autumn colours ... it's not that hot here ... but the sun is out - blindingly pushing through, the sea (English Channel) sparkling too .. and leaves did scrunch underfoot ... and yes the rumble of colour is around ... I can't see it from here ... but can feel the chill in the wind ... still I am warm with the windows wide open .. cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteHi-ya, Hilary.
DeleteFrom your description, it sounds like you're having a traditional... and lovely... autumn. :) Enjoy!
Cheers back atcha.
Admittedly, my best finery could use some work, and everything around here is already dead. That single fiery tree is beautiful, though! What an awesome thing to be able to witness.
ReplyDeleteIf by best finery, you mean clothes... me, too. If by best finery, you mean a smile... I don't believe it. With your sense of humor, my guess is you have a killer smile and laugh.
DeleteYes, that tree is gorgeous. :)
So many lovely sentiments in this post! Autumn has always been my favorite season, but mainly because of the weather. My location doesn't have all the changing colors and whatnot people commonly associate with autumn, LOL. I can only imagine how gorgeous trees are for people elsewhere!
ReplyDeleteThe cooler weather of autumn is a huge blessing after a long hot summer. Feels like a little piece of heaven!
DeleteI'm late in reading this post but I'm glad I didn't miss it. What a gorgeous tree - - and what beautiful thoughts and sentiments you have ignited to warm our souls!
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of warm, October has been unseasonably warm here - in the high 80's - BUT in recent days it has cooled considerably. Last night was 35 degrees and my cat Bosco got under the bed covers.
Cooler weather has finally arrived here, too, and we're thrilled. Not as cool as your 35, but cool enough for the cats to curl up instead of sprawling.
DeleteWe had some late hot weather which cut down on the color this fall, but the cold is finally with us and I don't think it's too late for some of the trees. Plus it's great high school football weather. (I have a football player, a cheerleader, and a marching band member - I go to lots of football games.)
ReplyDeleteWe used to go to a lot of high school football games when our son was on the team. Quite a few years ago, but it was a lot of fun. It's gotten cooler here, too, but the temperatures are supposed to be heading back up again. If you don't like the weather here, you just have to be patient, because it'll be changing any sec. We went from have several days of record high temperatures to a quick drop to a day of record lows. Now we've kinda struck a happy medium, and it's great! (While it lasts...)
DeleteI LOVE that tree. So pretty! The leaves changed here, but yeah, it's still too hot! We got a big snap of freezing cold weather and now it's warm again.
ReplyDeleteWe had a couple of cooler than normal days, but the temperature's on the way back up again. (At least we don't have to shovel snow!)
DeleteAutumn is my favourite time of the year.
ReplyDeleteMe, too, and for sooooo many reasons. :)
DeleteI'm jealous that you get the leaves. I'm currently living in California (grew up in North Carolina) and I assure you that you can't tell the difference in 3 out of the 4 seasons.
ReplyDeleteOn the plus side, I bet you never have to shovel snow. :) (We don't either, but our snow shovel IS still under the house, where it's been biding its time since we moved here from MD in 1971... just in case.)
DeleteOkay! I will be the reason someone smiles. That sounds like an epic challenge.
ReplyDeleteI've got faith in you. You WILL succeed! (In fact, I bet you succeed EVERY day!)
DeleteIt has turned crisp here. I was ready to turn on the heater yesterday. And our trees are in full glory- come on up! :)
ReplyDeleteNo heater needed here, but it has cooled down enough for us to sleep with the windows open. (The best!) Oh, sure, I'll be right up... just as soon as I pack up Smarticus and the cats... It WAS a package invitation, right? :)
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