Welcoming Lady Autumn, Nature's Influencer

With artistic flourish, Lady Autumn, will promenade through Earth's summer pathways on to September's ending days. Early morning walkers may anticipate the arrival, and inhale Autumn's healing breath. Golden leaves and cinnamon colors shall pop as Nature opens its door to a new season of glorious colors and gratitude for our Earth. 

As a 21st Century influencer, Autumn brings "the sweet  chill of pumpkin and crisp sunburnt leaves". (Ann Drake) Landscapes will "look like the world was covered in a cobbler crust of brown sugar and cinnamon." (Sarah Addison Allen) I look forward to watching Nature become a silent wonder glittering in gold, a grand finale of vibrant seasons. I shall appreciate the crunch of leaves as I walk with the layering of clothing as the chill breeze changes from summer warmth. F. Scott Fitzgerald leaves us with his thought, "Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall." I have worked  this year on restoration, revival of my heart, and renewal of life. Autumn allows me the space to transition from the bonds of grief to witness the magnitude of life. 

As writers, poets, and thinkers, we gather today to honor the upcoming Autumn season. I invite you to create a contribute to my Autumn Gallery of Artistic Expressions, Autumn's Ephemeral Gold. "The leaves are changing; I feel poetry in the air." (Laura Jaworski) 

If Autumn speaks  to you, share an artistic expression for my Autumn's Ephemeral Gold Padlet. The title will bring together a collection of seasonal poetry, a variety of artwork, nature photography, and golden quotes emphasizing the fleeting beauty of Autumn, transformation of the seasons, the art of letting go, and any other topics dealing with Fall.

I created the digital collage to emphasize Lady Autumn, dressed in couture, staring into the distance of a Fall day.

This mixed media, digital collage connects nature photography, images, a haiku, and color accents. The melding of  these components signify it is time to slow down, breathe in nature's healing breath, and renew life.

🍁🍃🍂  Autumn Invitation 🍁🍃🍂 

Are you ready to immerse yourself in the glow of Autumn?

Here is the link to the Autumn Ephemeral Gold Padlet if you choose to add an artistic expression for the Gallery.

It's Poetry Friday time and I am delighted to be your host. Enjoy reading the variety of poetry blog posts by our wonderful poets! I decided to decorate my home for the arrival of Lady Autumn and also my blog.

Add your blog post to the Mr. Linky Widget below.

Nature's Healing Moments

Last night on September 14, 2026, a waxing crescent moon glowed brightly in the darkness of Northern Virginia's night. It created a vivid picture, standing silently at the close of day. With its light, it shared a  moment and a message to cherish nature's awesomeness.                                           (Photo from the internet)

The day before, my son sent me an interesting pre-autumn photo of morning's dawn. With scattered leaves on the ground and beauty in the sky, another moment touched me.

Based on the Gaither song, "We Have This Moment", sent to me by writer, blogger, educator, Kim Johnson, I created a poem on moments in life.

I have this moment 

to pause, reflect upon,

hold in my hands,

let slip away like sand

yet cherish its time -

the past may pass away 

the future may not be 

but nature's healing moments 

hold on today for me           draft @CVarsalona, 2026 

As we transition into a new season, remember summer moments that brought joy. Hold on to your thoughts and breathe in the healing power of autumn days about to come.

A meeting place for a world of reflective writers. Click here.

Note: I am hosting Poetry Friday at my blog this Friday. If you are interested, please join our poetic community. 

September Memories on the New Pathway

The bright, warm sunshine of September opened with memories and a new pathway. I witnessed Nature's breathtaking artistry unfolding, so I stepped away from the next household task to sit down, basking in the warm sun. My thoughts circulated, not of the clutter that remains, but of the serenity of nature's peaceful landscape. September's glory comforted me, as I hoped this sacred space did for my husband, who was transported here at the Adler Center for his last breath.

⇦ Capital Caring Health Adler Center for Caring at Van Metre Campus

I sit, pausing on this morning of 9/11, returning to more thoughts. The horrific 911 tragedy broke through the sky with angst unknown to the children and teachers in my school. A few of us circled throughout classrooms trying to keep "the calm". Parents were shocked as they entered the building. Tears fell, hearts dropped, and people grieved. On the way to work, my husband crossed the bridge from New York to New Jersey and stopped in horror. He and other travelers watched the second 911 tragedy. He could not call home or come back to our family that night. It was a blackened day into the night before I knew when I would see him again. Meanwhile, my suburban community outside of New York City grieved as 45 people fell during 911, one of whom was the mother of one of my daughter's friends.

Today, my Virginia community hosts a flag ceremony remembering those who perished. September takes me down a fallen road and a new pathway. Thinking about this horrific event and my husband's last breath, I wrote the following poem.

LEANING INTO NATURE'S BREATH Capital Caring Health Adler Center

Each month moves with its own rhythm.

I lean into nature's healing breath,

revisiting past September moments

to lessen grief's heavy weight.

I snap a photo of a sacred space

where his final breath

was swept into the wind.

A gentle calm settles here,

even as the shadow of a darker history

stretches across my mind.

Autumn glory approaches-
another season to find solace
among nature's kaleidoscope of colors,
drifting across the changing landscape.

Draft - @CVarsalona 2026

⚑

A REMEMBRANCE from ROCKVILLE CENTER, NY 2019

WE REMEMBER

as the bell tolls,
names are read,

flags unbound, waving proudly,

and heartbreaking headlines shared.

There's Still a Sadness in Hearts on 9/11.

So Many Stories, So Many Hearts Broken!

Remembering 911 Fallen Heroes,

numbered in the sky,

is our town's tradition.

Village Green is ready.

We shall remember

and wait for a 
Rainbow of Possibilities.

©CVarsalona, 2019, Rockville Centre, NY

⚑

POETRY FRIDAY 

WITH our delightful host Linda Baie and her poem for the day

Let me tell you that life

can be hard-earned,

but still be lovely.

No matter the grief,

sometimes it comes with laughter.

We honor those still living,

also the lost,

those who gave with shadowed smiles,

walking in to help others--

Never forsaken,

remembered! 

Linda Baie ©

PLEASE VISIT LINDA'S BLOG TO READ MORE OF HER THOUGHTS AND BLOGS FROM OUR COMMUNITY OF POETS.

CLICK HERE

NOTE: I am happy to host the Poetry Friday Roundup next week.

Tonight my community is hosting a 9/11 Flag Ceremony.

⚑God Bless America and its Heroes!⚑

Recalibrating Life Rhythms

Life takes me on a new road now as I have wished for a year-and-half since my husband passed away suddenly. During this time in which grief overtook my life, I have been out-of-rhythm with clutter all around me. Overwhelming thoughts and things-to-do followed me each day. Family and friends bolstered me as I searched for the slowdown moments and ways to restore my soul and revive my heart. Recently, I found the turning point that led me to a new road. 

It started in August with the family vacation back to Long Island and then on to Cape May. The beach environment provided time to calm down while watching the glistening waves rolling into shore. Nature's sparkles and the sun's warmth provided memories from years of summertime moments at the ocean.

Then,. on August 27, 2026, my husband's ashes were interred into a beautiful, peaceful place of rest, the columbarium niche in Arlington National Cemetery. The grounds, military chaplain, interment specialist, and the precise rhythm of diligent soldiers offered a tranquil setting. This memorable event opened my heart to a new chapter of life. For eight days since then, I have felt the spirit of hope allowing me to rest in the ocean of God's infinite love. Richard's journey has come to rest also with a serene spiritual closure.

A Life of Journeys

he brought me to seas

cuddled me in ocean waves

wrapped me in sunsets

💗

we walked the shores of life

throughout the seasons

met challenges, celebrated what was

💗

until his lifelong journey

suddenly stopped    grief entered

faith guided me

💗

he now rests with God

in pure peace for evermore 

I rest with pure faith

💗

I feel our bonds

across the ocean waves

in God I trust

draft CVarsalona, 2026

This month has reminded me that life does not have to be out-of-rhythm. September days bring a celebration of life for my adult children's and cousin's birthdays. The escalating heat of summer will transition into the cool breath of Autumn days. With hope in my heart, Nature's rhythms will ground me on my spiritual journey. I know that time will flitter on like a butterfly moving within from flower to flower in our garden.  Instead of worrying about lost time, I shall appreciate each day in a slow-down approach to life. Will this new rhythm bring me a continual, gentle peace? I hope so but in the real world of life, I know that there will be roadblocks on the journey. It's time to reclaim the rhythm of life!

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Spiritual Journey 2026

Logo: Margaret Simon and Photo: Molly Hogan

This month, a dear friend, book lover, and writer, Ramona Behnke, is hosting the community's Spiritual Journey Thursday . Her beautiful post shares a book, The Sacred Pulse, Holy Rhythms for Overwhelmed Souls by April Fiet. I eagerly found the introduction online and dug into its thoughts. This is a must-read book for me. Thank you, Ramona.. Click here to read Ramona's post and find other sojourners ' posts.

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Poetry Friday

Ocean on a Calm Moment (CVarsalona)

The Poetry Friday Roundup is hosted today by the creative poet and author, Patricia J. Franz. Her post, Summer Wanes, is a beautiful combination of Emily Dickinson's poem, Forever, and Patricia's Summer Ends' poem. Click here to read Patricia's and other poet's posts.

Postcard from Long Island's Sunkissed Shore

There's nothing more beautiful than the way the ocean refuses to stop kissing the shoreline, no matter how many times it's sent away."          - Sarah Kay

For 45 years, the south shore of Long Island, New York became my family's go to happy place. My husband was a beach lover since a child. Sea air fresh like morning dew drew us to the ocean throughout the year but summer was a special season for sunkissed days of rest and renewal. I fell in love with the sea breeze, sound of the tide moving in a rhythmic pattern, and the ease of relaxing in sparkling sand. To capture the beauty of the ocean, I created the above digitized image of the Atlantic Ocean in Long Beach. A postcard was created after I captured the ocean waves rushing to shore. 

While in vacation in New York and Cap May, I felt the ocean wind luring me back to nature, I  watched the tide dance toward the shore. I paused to ask myself one question, "What opens my heart and mind to the mystic call of the sea?"

the ocean lures me

shimmering like royal jewels

in summer's sunshine

seagulls circulate

skyward landing at shore lines

watching ocean tides

sea treasures surface

rinsed by tidal water

families gather

seawaves swell with might

slow down with gentle noises

sea souvenirs surface

within the ocean

one finds the rhythm of life

rest and renewal

the ocean calls me

quiet presence free

draft ©CVarsalona, 2026

Dear Friends,

Sea waves and gushing sounds lulled me into quiet moments of deep thought. A new pathway unfolds as nature and hope nurtures my life. I realize now that my one word, restore, arrived at the beach along side me  I felt its presence. The summer of 2026 has become my turning point. Jeremiah 29:11 states,: "For I know well the plans I have in mind for you-oracle of the Lord-plans for your welfare and not for woe, so as to give you a future of hope." (Catholic New American Bible) With hope I shall move onward. - Carol

___________________________

The Poetry Sisters (Liz, Sara, Tanita,Tricia,Mary Lee)

invited #PoetryPals to write a haiku sonnet. While not ever writing one, I gave it a try using the four 3-line haiku plus a couplet of 5 syllables and 14 lines format. 

and Mona Voelkel, our host.

Mona found a wishing rock on Charlestown Beach and created a delightful poem. Join her blog to read more poetry from the Poetry Friday community.

Note: It was a busy week so my entrance is later than I wished. I will indulge in Poetry Friday reading this weekend.

Lure of the Ocean

"At the beach, life is different. Time doesn’t move hour to hour but mood to moment. We live by the currents, plan by the tides, and follow the sun." - Sandy Gingras

Sunset Beach, Cape May, 2026

Last Sunday, my family and I drove to Long Island, New York and midweek to Cape May, New Jersey. The ocean was calling us to enjoy its seaside beaches. I was inspired by the first line of Sandy Gingras' quote and made the decision to push grief aside and let nature nurture life. Below you will discover the golden shovel poem I created with the first line of the Gingras' quote, "At the beach, life is different."

🏖

August's dog days call me to vacation at

shimmering shorelines that bring the

breath of breezy ocean winds to the beach

I walk on heated sand pondering my life

style, from a harried year and a half to what is 

needed for a pathway that is different

©CVarsalona, 2026, Golden Shovel

🏖

For fifty years, my summertime days rested on nature's shores. There was a lure about the ocean. I recalled the glorious vistas of Long Island and Cape May beaches with the sun's awakening rays and billowy clouds layering a blue-toned sky. Early on the first by-the-sea-day, the brilliance of the ocean was inviting. The beach was a calm place for rest, recovery, and renewal on summer days, so this morning, I paused to remember the golden days of past summer excursions to the beach. Memories of family vacations brought images of soft, warm sand, and seagulls swirling above rushing waves, seeming to be free and unburdened by life's challenges. Small seashells and smooth rocks road through sea foam back to the shore as tides rushed in. I heard the squeal of my grandgirls, as they searched for ocean treasures that nature offered. Their excited glee blended with the swooshing sounds of the sea from Long Beach to Cape May. It was a time to relax, reflect, and recharge!

gateway to peace

golden sunrise, rushing waves

sunkissed moments rise

©CVarsalona, 2026

Sunset at Cape May, NJ

🏖

at

Denise Krebs' Dare to Care blog.

Denise is today's Poetry Friday host who has been writing poetry and reading throughout August. The Roundup of poets and their writing begins tonight.