I woke at 3 this morning, but then went back to sleep, opening my eyes again at 6:29. This is sleeping-in for me, and it means that my system is once again on Pacific Daylight Time, all ready to fall back an hour this weekend. Transition is almost complete, at least physically, back to my new life at home, after retirement.
As I sort out what my days will be like, now that I can design them myself, I’m thrilling again to the natural beauty of my west coast home. It’s raining this morning, but the last few days have mixed up foggy mornings with sunny days, moody grey skies with crisp blue-and-white flashes, all working to highlight the sparkling colours of fall.
Even the sombre is beautiful, as with these rudbeckia seedheads (I spent a happy hour yesterday afternoon watching sparrows and juncos feeding on these while robins gobbled hawthorne berries above them and a towhee worked through the snowberry and Nootka rose bushes).
And after a long summer drought dessicated the moss that testifies to our years here, limning the walls and stairs we put in place, I’m grateful to the rains that have greened it up again.
Grateful also to the day’s mist that bejeweled these tiny plants, minute drops glistening at the end of the spore-capsule stalks. . .
After relying on my iPhone camera (quite decent in the 6+, I must say) for so long, it was good to take my Nikon out of its case, but I’m going to have to review my notes from that course I took (seems so long ago!). In fact, the time away was sufficient to have caused a few memory glitches, especially since I did some major re-organizing of my office before we left. We needed a stamp the other day, and I rustled through 5 or 6 drawers before remembering where I’d decided that stationery belonged. . . Transitions. Settling back in. . .
Should you be wondering What I Wore, I offer you a blurry selfie, taken indoors, no-flash (because the mirror). Happy to grab comfortable basics I’ve missed over the last 8 weeks — I know you used to call this combo a Canadian tuxedo, c’mon, admit it! But we’ve all heard that double denim can be cool now, and I’ve got the requisite varying “washes,” broken the connection with bold French strips, and doesn’t my camel cashmere scarf elevate the whole ensemble and the jolt of Hunter-boots red signal sartorial intent?
Not convinced? That’s okay — I wore this “to town” to get groceries on Monday, but no one here really cares what I wear and I’m mostly hanging at home for now. Sauntered up to my good friend’s for coffee yesterday to compare notes on our recent French travels (she’s been teaching wonderful sketching and painting courses in Paris and in the Lot); went for a few good runs; will head in to yoga today and pick up more groceries; but otherwise, I’m just here contemplating all the Gorgeousness.
And you?
I am picking up the running again after a too-long hiatus. Looking for gainful employment that will not completely dominate my life but will pay the bills. Loving the beautiful autumn that is gold, gold, gold and balmy. Plus: I am now a blogger! Early days but fun. Glad to see you home.
You're blogging now? Where is that happening? I'd love to read and happy to spread the word to other potential readers. It's a rabbit hole, for sure, but rather a fun place to disappear in. . .
How kind. It is happening on Word Press and am not entirely sure how to spread it apart from posting it to my fb page. It is called nohatnogloves and is in early stages as I fumble and learn on the job. Rabbit hole indeed but very pleasing. Today I am going to march out into the teeming rain for long walk and ponder where next to take it.
That closeup of the water droplets is a stunning photo!! Sadly, few signs yet of fall here, or much-needed rain (which we've been promised in abundance for the winter season, thanks to the now-certain El Nino). Love seeing these seasonal images, and I'll enjoy fall vicariously.
I was really pleased with the water droplets photo — their shape is so precise. Having had a taste of drought this summer (i.e. nothing like what you're used to, but a startling aberration here, very worrisome), I can imagine your longing for rain — this upcoming El Nino will be, um, interesting. Flooding, erosion, but I haven't seen locusts or plagues mentioned yet. . .
Not so wordless after all …. :0) As always, beautiful photos of your surroundings at home – you must be so glad to be back.
Oh – did the 5k run on Sunday! 34:15 – not so bad, I thought. I'm now trying to decide whether to do the winter maintenance course the store offers – I know it's a good idea, but I'm not so keen on going out on winter nights.
I really should have titled it Word-less, which is what I meant 😉 I can't ever manage no words at all!
Great time in your 5K! Congratulations! I know why you wouldn't want to go out on winter nights — what alternatives can you find for maintaining over the winter outside of that program? A running buddy? I know the weather is so much more severe there (understatement!) but many runners keep at it, right? (my husband used to run when he was there, once over the Elgin Street Bridge, he almost froze his eyelids shut with the windchill factor at some goofy low — he learned after that . . . ). Maybe become a swimmer for the winter. . . or even better, a skater!
Hi Mater, I probably won't do the store's winter maintenance as it's held at the local hockey school and we'd be running on concrete (and they also do one night a week outside!). So, I will probably join a gym here in town. I did think of swimming though – I'm not a swimmer at all, but the Y does adult swimming lessons. Definitely want to keep this up! :0)
Love the photo of the water droplets, and the sense of settling in that comes through in both pictures and words.
Thanks, Mardel. It's lovely to have the time to give into that settling process.
The water droplet image…is stunning!
Thanks! I was really happy to get it!
Beautiful photos! Water droplets are my favourite,too,as well as stones and moss. Autumn is so lovely,wanderful colours,restful and reflexive.
I was driving through the wood yesterday,it was so nice,trees are fabulous.
It is becoming cold ( 7-8° C) and misty in the morning,we started to wear coats,had a lot of rain couple a days ago,than I missed sunny days here because of London.. More rain tomorrow…..and I don't have merry red Hunter boots 🙂
Dottoressa
Dottoressa, if you're truly interested in writing a guest post for me, perhaps you could email . . . I think it might be fun!
Dear Frances,I am lost cause,I'm very ashamed,but I can't even find your mail adress. Please,explain me where to look, or I am sure that you have mine,so please send me there. Thanks
Dottoressa
No need to be ashamed — I'm pretty hopeless at sorting this tech stuff myself. I thought my email address was somewhere on the blog, but I can't spot it right now. It's fsproutATgmailDOTcom (except, of course, use @ for at, and . for DOT — I write it that way in a naive attempt to deter spammers)
Beautiful photographs … what a gorgeous place to call home.
Rosie
I'm pretty lucky, I agree, Rosie! Thanks!
Just hanging out, appreciating a few speckles of rain and wishing for a deluge. Cleaning up my garden, cutting perennials back, feeding my fuchsia and enjoying its few flowers. I like the water photo but it's the second one, with the aqua palette, that really speaks to me.
I'd happily wish you a deluge, but that sounds risky. A good soaking though, I'll send that wish out for you…
It's been a stunningly beautiful fall. And now the rains begin and we draw closer to the fire in the evenings. The moss is thriving around here, too, after that long, dry summer.
And for the first few weeks, those rains and winds and cozy evenings by the fire are very good. We generally aren't so sanguine by January…😉
We have just returned from a fortnight in the highlands of Scotland but our views here at home are not nearly as beautiful as yours . Yes , the city of York is special but it sits on a flat agricultural plain & we need to travel to the the moors & dales to see hills . So I am a little envious – wish I had your views to come home to
Wendy in flat York
I loved York the few times I visited it. And I have a cousin whose home in the Yorkshire Moors Park has the only view I've ever loved just as much as my own … (My dad's from Middlesborough and I'm long overdue for a visit to the rellies
Fancy your dad coming from Middlesborough – that is a surprise !
Wendy
Nature is so calming and gorgeous at this time of the year. It is a big transition for you and you are sensible not to take on too much at once, let it evolve. Look forward to hearing more about your retirement adventrues.
Thanks, Marianne. It IS a big transition, a fortunate one in many people's eyes, but still more demanding than it might look to navigate. Thanks for the understanding, encouragement, and advice
Did you take the droplets photo with your iPhone? If so Apple should use it in an ad!
Around here we call a plaid flannel shirt a "Kenora dinner jacket"! Always wonderful to return home after a long trip and see the glories with a fresh eye.
Aw, you're kind! I actually took it with my Nikon DSLR.
I've heard various riffs on the plaid flannel dinner jacket. Remember Bob and Doug McKenzie, eh?
You live in an absolutely beautiful area of the world! We recently visited Seattle, Vancouver and Victoria and fell in love with the Pacific Northwest. I envy your days in Vancouver! We walked and walked Stanley Park, Yaletown, Gastown, Chinatown, Canada Place, Granville Market, English Bay and just about every street back and forth across your beautiful city. Everyone was so friendly and helpful and the food was outstanding. Vancouver is a city I would definitely revisit and just wanted to tell you how lucky you are to live on Vancouver Island and also in Vancouver! ( As if you already didn't know!!) Janie
So glad you enjoyed your visit to Vancouver. I think we have something very special here, but it's good to be reminded not to take it for granted. Did you stay downtown?
Yes, we stayed at The Loden and walked everywhere! — 10-12 miles everyday. Took the ferry to Victoria so we kinda had a little bit of your life in our trip!
You probably already know this, but I forgot to mention that The Loden Hotel has a lovely little French restaurant call Le Tableau. We had a wonderful lunch there one day and also stopped for a later night cocktail on our way back to our room. It has a nice, friendly atmosphere but, then, Canadians are such friendly people.
You really do live in the most beautiful place. The only thing that mitigates my jealousy is the fact that it rains there all the time. (See, I'm telling myself that now to feel a little less like my view is wretched! And, alas, it rains here too much too.)