November Light (Gone now, but we remember)

 We’re plunged back into another week (at least) of rain and wind and dreary grey skies here, but yesterday and Friday.  . . . Ah, that was a different story. . .

 I’ve had a lovely, restful weekend, catching up on marking and projects and sleep. I joined some neighbours for a Fundraiser Mock Marathon to celebrate the return of a fellow islander who’d flown to New York City for the Marathon That Never Was.

 And I read and I knit and I cleaned. . .

 And wandered outside with my camera, marvelling at the slices of light that cut through the shadows in that so-evocative way that late-fall light can do. . .

 Just looking at the photos again brings out my best sighs . . .

Ah . . . . And so I thought I’d share them because who can have too many happy sighs of admiration at Mother Nature and her light-and-shadows brush . . .

Keen gardeners may recognize the beautyberry bush, callicarpa, above — the purple berries are just what’s needed in a November garden, don’t you think?

And I’m still as much in love with Arbutus uneda (strawberry tree) as when I first inquired, 8 or so years ago, about what that tree was that managed to fruit and flower all at the same time, at a time of year when most other plants were giving up. . . what’s not to love about reddening berries mixed with delicate white flowers and shiny evergreen leaves?! 

11 Comments

  1. LPC
    11 November 2012 / 9:46 pm

    It's fascinating how different times of year hit people differently. I'm quite crabby in the transition. Give me sun or give me rain. I'm too prone to yearning by nature to want nature to provide encouragement.

    • materfamilias
      12 November 2012 / 10:47 pm

      Hmmm, I love sun, but have learned to live with rain. . . but don't mind transitions and consider spring and fall favourite seasons, when we're in them . . .

  2. hostess of the humble bungalow
    11 November 2012 / 10:26 pm

    love those purple berries!
    I have admired that specimen for quite a few years.
    Light is brighter up your way today.
    I bought a skimmia bush this week which I love for floral arrangements. It is nice on it's own in a vase too. Do you ever cut the berry bush branches and bring some indoors?

    • materfamilias
      12 November 2012 / 10:49 pm

      I love skimmia as well — they're great for the colour combo I like in the strawberry tree. I do love berry branches in arrangements indoors, yes!

  3. Lorrie
    12 November 2012 / 12:21 am

    That slice of light could be a metaphor for your weekend – a bright spot in the midst of busy days of teaching and marking. A good thing to remember for the coming grey.

    • materfamilias
      12 November 2012 / 10:49 pm

      I like that metaphor, Lorrie. And we're going to need to remember, as we seem to be in for a long slog of greyness.

  4. Raquelita
    12 November 2012 / 2:50 am

    Such lovely photos of the light and of the berries! Yesterday was grey and dim, but we had some lovely light here today. It sounds like you had a lovely and restful weekend. I spent most of mine involved in home improvement projects or working on my article manuscript.

    • materfamilias
      12 November 2012 / 10:50 pm

      I remember the more northerly light we experienced in Prince Rupert, and I'd imagine that's even more pronounced where you are.
      Alternating, as you are, between the academic (in my case, marking and prepping) and the domestic (baking, knitting)

  5. Laurie
    12 November 2012 / 2:07 pm

    The light is so different in the fall and makes everything softer, easier on the eyes. It looks, and sounds, like you had a wonderful late fall weekend.

    • materfamilias
      12 November 2012 / 10:51 pm

      It really is a delicious light, isn't it?!

  6. Susan B
    15 November 2012 / 11:05 pm

    Late fall light is my favorite. Your nature photos always make me take a deep breath and relax.

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