X Marks the Spot! Roadtrip

"It was a beautiful, bright autumn day, with air like cider

and a sky so blue you drown in it.

— Daine Gabaldon, Outlander

Before leaving my house, I searched for the best place to view vivid fall foliage. Many sites in West Virginia were booked for overnight stays so my family and I traveled to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. The glorious sun in a bright blue sky made the trip delightful. As we drove from Virginia to West Virginia, trees were colored in different shades of green but there were touches of red at the tops of many huge trees. Leaf peeping was our original goal for a wonderfilled Autumn day but being part of nature and finding historical sites made for a calming trip. 

When we arrived at Harpers Ferry, the quaint, historic town buzzed with tourists. The antiquity of the area offered stories from its past. Cobblestone, gravel, and brick sidewalks roads provided picturesque views of life from the 19th Century. St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church completed in 1833 was a beautiful reminder of America as a melting pot with customs from early Irish immigrants. We climbed the short incline up to the church on the hill but a military wedding was taking place so we decided to enjoy the outdoors.

Shops, as True  Treats Candy carrying favorite candy from the 20th Century and restaurants were found throughout the town. Various museum spots were showplaces of the past. My 7-year-old grandgirl was intrigued by the placards at the entrance of Harpers Ferry's living history buildings. She became our little tour guide, reading authentic shop signs, the Harpers Ferry Train Station, Boarding House, Provost Marshall Office, Dry Goods Store, White House Tavern, John Brown's Fort, and more. 

We did not see the beautiful Autumn change of leaves. However, we enjoyed the country ride through small towns and historical places. It was exciting to step back-in-time and view the area's timeless natural beauty.

Ethical ELA Open Write Challenge:

I missed this challenge this summer but decided to play with it because of its interesting format. Mo Daley challenged writers to try an X Marks the Spot Poem with these instructions “Find a print article from a magazine that interests you. Once you have chosen your article, simply draw an X through the page. Then write your poem using the words touching your X.” 

Autumn Excursion

a happy day in Harpers Ferry 

with its historical appeal,

long-storied views, 

outdoorsy appeal

explore John Brown's history

back in time

visit the Catholic edifice,

see Appalachian plethora

find charming grounds, 

with managed shops,

guided tours

eat, explore, shop

@CVarsalona, draft, 2024

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This is my Tuesday's Slice of Life that I send to Two Writing Teachers,

a meeting place for a world of reflective writers.

Connecting With Nature

Autumn holds a wonder all its own.  - Laura Jaworski

Digitized Photo 

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Autumn days slowly transition into eye-catching, picturesque scenes of color. Each day I enjoy discovering fall's beauty in ordinary and extraordinary places. While researching the topic of self-care, I found connecting with nature has positive effects on emotional well-being. Trail walks, apple picking, and other outdoor activities helped reduce stress and anxiety during my recuperation time. The warmth of a September or October day allows me to breathe in fresh air, reflect upon the earth's beauty, and relax. 

For years, my family has picked apples. Recently, we traveled through the countryside on the way to the apple orchard. Remembering years past I looked for trees with a tinge of color. Once we arrived at Stribling Orchard, we found a bountiful apple tree. My little grandgirls arrived before us so their bag of apples was bountiful. The fresh country air and the sweet-tasting red apples made our faces smile.

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September day

sun radiates

family gathers together at the orchard

excitement begins with the first pick

baby smiles

munches apples

Autumn delight

 @CVarsalona, 2024

Trinet poem

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As I search for the best place for vivid fall foliage in Virginia and West Virginia. I reflect on last year's parade of trees. They were dressed in Autumn finery. 

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Height of Fall Fashion

fall's fashion

debuts soon

with a kaleidoscope of color

some autumn trees are fashionably late 

Autumn's parade

is a

must-see event

 @CVarsalona, 2024

Trinet poem

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The Jama Rattigan is hosting Poetry Friday on her blog, Jama's Alphabet Soup. Her post will make you hungry because she is writing about doughnuts.

October's Beautiful Change

Lady Autumn's seasonal changes surprise me each year. This season, she chose sunshine-summer attire and switched to raincoat-weather clothing. The last few days, she was clothed in leafed designs for a stroll under a bright blue sky with pillowed clouds. Variety is Lady Autumn's wish so I cannot wait to see her October sneak preview. Will it be dazzling with Crayola colors or soaked from rainy weather? 

Beautiful Change

Autumn lets go

moving slowly

with season's ease

In mindful pause

gentle winds blow

Autumn lets go

releases leaves

dancing  to earth

gathering  begins

leaves fall 

Autumn lets go

flits across earth

sunsetting peace

dazzles nightsky

with fall crayons

Autumn lets go

©CVarsalona, draft

4 x 4 poem-see information here.

Photo from Unsplash

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• Anyone who thinks fallen leaves are dead has never watched them dancing on a windy day. - Shira Tamir

Autumn woke in the morning with a crispy feel of summer-like weather and bright blue skies. Watching in awe, a gentle flight of assorted leaves moved gracefully toward the cars.  October's first dance of the season brought a beautiful change.

autumn's flight of leaves

free-float and dance in the breeze

October's gift

©CVarsalona, 2024, haibun

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Welcome to my Slice of Life, which I am sending to the Two Writing Teachers, a reflective community of writers.

Change & Transformation-Spiritual Journey & Poetry Friday

Today as I Grandmasit for my grandbaby, I ponder the theme, change and transformation, Leigh Anne Eck offered for October's Spiritual Journey writers. In addition, Lee Anne included a personal thought: "I love fall and all the goodness that comes with it. It gives us a time to reflect on the words 'change and transformation' and what this means to our natural world, our personal lives, and our faith."

Autumn is a magical season that transforms landscapes, shortens days, brings cooler weather, and provides reflection time. Migratory patterns begin, and trees change color. "There is something so special in the early leaves drifting from the trees–as if we are all to be allowed a chance to peel, to refresh, to start again."(Ruth Ahmed) This week, rains continued and leaves scattered across the driveway and sidewalk waiting for recognition. I found a single leaf with a tinge of color. It reminded me of Autumn's beauty, even when its leaves wither.  

Falling leaves also remind me of the importance of letting go. If trees can shed their leaves during Autumn, I must be willing to release old habits and beliefs. Embracing change is a process that will bring calmness to my life. A slowdown pace would be beneficial instead of a hustle and bustle life. Shedding the old and making room for new growth 

"Falling leaves are nature's way of showing us how beautiful it is to let things go."

-Unknown

 As for faith, Romans 12:2 tells us not to conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. "Then, you will be able to test and approve what God's will is."  Lately, the patterns of this world are mixed up so rethinking my actions would be beneficial as would letting go of stress.

creekside pathway ends 

leaves scatter in fall's light

enchanted autumn

©CVarsalona, 2024

Last year, I walked the Creekside trail. The photo above shares the path that does not continue past the bridge. I was in awe of Autumn's scattered leaves waiting to change. If nature can change then I can also. I shall embrace the opportunity for personal growth this Autumn.  

Tabatha Yeatts is the host of Poetry Friday this week.

She shares a photo from a neighbor who photographed the perched owl

that she also saw. She also offers a poem, Murmuration.

"In every leaf, there's a whisper of autumn's magic."

Labor of Love

Have you ever stared at your laundry loads and knew it would keep coming? I am trying to find the humor in this chore. After my little grandgirl's visits, dirty socks and other clothes lurk in corners. Also, my husband's and son's laundry baskets are always full so I need to find some humor in daily chores.  

Take a peek at my laundry room when it is quiet. Then, read the trinet poem I created to bring humor to this rainy, damp day.

 Staring at Dirty Laundry

dirty laundry

daily quandary

a challenge when cleaning soiled deposits

that's why I have several products 

muddy socks

need soapbox

neverending chore

 @CVarsalona, 2024

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Let's remember that laundry is the real Neverending Story!

Above is a Getty Image of a 1950s woman doing her laundry. 

See more here.

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I hope you enjoy my Slice of Life that I am sending to the Two Writing Teachers world community of writers.

Six Ways of Looking at Autumn

It is officially the start of Autumn and I agree with author Elizabeth Lawrence. "Everyone must take time to sit and watch the leaves turn". I love decorating the inside and outside of my house in autumnal hues. Then sitting back to admire nature's blessing the earth in Crayola tones.

This month, the Poetry Sisters invited writers to join their September writing challenge by "wandering through" Wallace Stevens' Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird. Using the mentor text, writers were to look deeply at something differently and compose a poem maybe not in 13 ways - maybe in 6  ways with the tab #PoetryPals.  

Autumn pushes me to notice small objects that create a picture for an artist's touch. The leaves are changing; I feel poetry in the air. (Laura Jaworski) What did I see the past two week? Brown leaves make crunching noises, raindrops soak the earth, and birds fly across the sky heading for feeders in yards. I now feel ready to write.

September Leaves photo

Six Ways of Looking at Autumn

Beyond the stretch of grass and trees,

Autumn arrives with crunching leaves

Strutting through woods and crowded weeds.

Over garden beds, bees buzz and whirl.

Sunshine peeks between the clouds. Birds twirl

Poking and picking seeds that unfurl.

Ornamental grass circles gardens,

Adorning beds with purple garlands.

Fall offers beautiful bargains.

Bunnies and deers pause, taste, and munch.

My delicate plants become lunch. 

Autumn sends its breeze and such.

My eyes travel with quiet control,

Watching nature's glamorous stroll. 

Autumn touches each heartfelt soul.

The season of splendor is ablaze

With leafed hues that truly amaze.

Autumn embraces life in many ways.

CVarsalona, 2024, draft

There are lessons I learned while quietly observing Autumn.

• Embrace change
• Let go to heal
• Allow nature's colors, sounds, and elements to bring joy

“There is a subtle magic in the falling of old leaves.” - Avijeet Das

 

The fabulous children's poet and author, Irene Latham, hosts the Poetry Friday Roundup. She has wonderful news about her new anthology also written by Charles Waters. You will also enjoy Irene's latest ArtSpeak poem.

Feeling Septemberish

This year September is an interesting in-between-seasons month filled with sunshine, gray clouds, warm breezes, and swooshing rains. Poet, David Henry Thoreau noted, "Happily we bask in this warm September sun, which illuminates all creatures." Another 19th Century author, Rowland E. Robinson wrote, "September days have the warmth of summer in their briefer hours but in their lengthening evening a prophetic breath of autumn." Skip to the 21st Century poet, Raquel Franco who adds her thoughts to welcome the start of Fall: "And then the sun took a step back, the leaves lulled themselves to sleep, and autumn awakened."

Writers appreciate Nature's touch on Earth. Poets bring a sensory aspect to changing seasons along with poetic glee. "There is a time in late September when the leaves are still green, and the days are still warm, but somehow you know that it is all about to end as if summer was holding its breath, and when it let it out again, it would be autumn." -Sharyn McCrumb

It's time to celebrate the transitional month of September as Lady Autumn confidently and glamorously sweeps the runway dressed in seasonal colors.

"By all these lovely tokens September days are here. With Summer's best of weather and Autumn's best of cheer." -Helen Hunt Jackson

September Memories

back-to-school days

jump rope in the schoolyard

bees circling and sunshine ablaze

friendly play and nature walks

mark the beginning of September

ending with new seasonal thoughts

cinnamon spice and pumpkin pie

I reminisce and remember

draft, @CVarsalona, 2024

I think you can see that I am enjoying feeling Septemberish.

What are your thoughts on September,

the transitional, in-between-seasons month?

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Linda Baie is hosting the Poetry Friday Roundup this week at her delightful blog, TeacherDance. Linda is watching the clock as she says her goodbyes "to another beloved season of sunshine and lazy days and vacations" while waiting for Autumn to come along with her crunchy leaves.

Wholeheartedly Feeling a New Season

Another season will soon be here. A variety of leaves will scatter across sidewalks. Nightsky will turn into an inked mass earlier and I will hear my first crunch-crunch sounds underfoot. Autumn will dramatically enter slowly swooshing through a carpet of leaves. With a wholehearted spirit, Lady Autumn will bring the brilliance of Fall.

a season unfolds

offering a new pathway

life is a gift

©Carol Varsalona, 2024

Photo from Pixabay

I look forward to Autumn's debut and the opportunity to offer a new perspective on life. Her rich colors, cooling breezes, and longer nights remind me to pause and breathe in the fragrant essence of fall's scents, such as cinnamon, pumpkin spice, and crackling bonfires. Beauty is not the only side of Fall. Autumn also has a spiritual side to her.

Autumn walks a pathway of reflection and growth. As Ecclesiastes 3:1 states, "For everything, there is a season and a time for every matter under heaven." I honor nature's graceful embrace as the cycle of renewal soon begins. With wholehearted commitment, I look forward to linger and notice each glorious moment of the upcoming season. 

Please see yesterday's blog post,  Wholehearted Spiritual Journey. Today's blog post offers a follow-up connection.

©Carol Varsalona

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Thank you to Heidi Mordhorst, the amazing educator and poet, for hosting today's Poetry Friday. Please join me as I link up with the Poetry Friday Roundup at Heidi's blog site, my juicy universe.

WholeHearted Spiritual Journey

It's a warm, breezy September day and at this moment, I am enjoying the quiet. I feel nature's slowdown pause, a signal to breathe in and out. My thoughts are inspired by a single word, wholehearted, which is this month's Spiritual Journey topic. Ruth Ayres, writer, author, and researcher is our host and offers various questions for us to ponder before writing. Since I am recuperating from the medical trauma of surgeries and infections, I want to learn more about wholehearted living. 

Ruth asked, What does it mean to live wholeheartedly?  Since I didn't understand what that entails, I did research. Noted author, researcher, and professor, Brene Brown, speaks on the issue of Wholehearted Living and offers 10 signposts. "Wholehearted Living is about engaging in our lives from a place of worthiness. It means cultivating the Courage, Compassion, and Connection to wake up in the morning and think, no matter what gets done and home is left undone, I am enough." I admit I have oodles of paperwork stacked in my office so I often feel I cannot finish what I set out to do each day. This bothers me and leads to frustration and anxiety.  

One of Brene Brown's signposts attracted me. "Cultivating calm and stillness and letting go of anxiety as a lifestyle". When I calmly stay in the moment of stillness, I feel refreshed but during the next part of the day, other feelings may interrupt and lead to anxiety. Therefore, I need to cultivate calm, pause, and stay in a moment. 

My garden is a restful place but during the summer the season offered heat waves and turbulent rainstorms. I did not spend much time in this tranquil place. I patiently waited months to see my ornamental grass sporting beautiful wheat and purple hues alongside butterfly bushes and two specimen magnolia trees. When the end of August and early September brought different temperatures and soft breezes, I spent more time admiring the outside patio. The sight of my gardens and a song, Wholehearted, energized me to write a Golden Shovel poem. The line from the song that I used is "I need grace. You give it wholehearted."  Grace would help me see life in a better framework.  

"Whatever you do, do it wholeheartedly ..." - Colossians 3:23-24

My goal for September is to be enthusiastic and mindful, to open my heart to positivity, and not let worry overwhelm me. I will start now because I just returned from the doctor's office. Instead of telling me I have an allergy or upper respiratory issue like my husband, I heard the word COVID. I was surprised with the outcome but knew I had to wholeheartedly accept the new detour on my spiritual journey. I am thankful that it appears to be a mild form of the new COVID virus. Maybe, now, I will have more quiet time to understand the cycle of life and wholehearted living with my one word, pause. 

My Commitment: 

I choose to fully engage in life during the next season and walk the spiritual pathway with faith knowing that my heart must be open and giving.

"Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver."  Corinthians 9: 6-8

Thank you, Ruth Ayres, for bringing your one word, wholehearted, to our attention. I look forward to reading what other members of the Spiritual Journey community write from their cheerful hearts. You can link in to read other posts here.