Harvesting My Thoughts

In Autumn, my thoughts ripen like apples on orchard trees. This time of year, nature lovers enjoy the beauty of seasonal change. Colorful hues start to shine, and weather patterns vary. Daily walks are common in my community. Throughout the state, harvest festivals and events are advertised because Autumn is here!  

I reflect back on my high school days when bundles of autumn leaves crunched beneath my feet. I enjoyed listening to nature's sounds, breathing in the crisp air, and gathering colorful leaves to press with wax paper. I was definitely present in those moments. As years passed, life became cluttered with work and motherhood, but Autumn days were the pause that always brought joy. Now, I look back and remember the importance of being in awe of nature. Memories last. Autumn leaves dancing on my lawn prepares me once again for the full arrival of Lady Autumn and her color-making wand.

Join me today for another segment of Nature's Envoy.

Digital Artwork from CVarsalona

In the crisp chill of

a glorious fall afternoon,

Lady Autumn reigns.

Birds flutter and scramble for seeds
cascading from tiny bird feeders,

chorusing away in gratitude.

Crimson and caramel leaves pirouette downward,

carpeting lawns as hours slip by

Waiting for dusk to layer the sky.

As Lady Autumn yields to rest,

Sunset weaves its colorful hues and
Shadows tuck the world to sleep.

©CVarsalona, 2026    Image from Pinterest

🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂

Mentor Text from Alexander Posey (1973-1908)

Autumn

In the dreamy silence
Of the afternoon, a
Cloth of gold is woven
Over wood and prairie;
And the jaybird, newly
Fallen from the heaven,
Scatters cordial greetings,
And the air is filled with
Scarlet leaves, that, dropping,
Rise again, as ever,
With a useless sigh for
Rest—and it is Autumn.

🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂

🍁🍃🍂 Invitation 🍁🍃🍂

Do you agree that Lady Autumn should welcome rest?

I invite all the writers, artists, and poets to join me at my new Gallery of Artistic Expressions, Autumn's Ephemeral Gold Padlet, for a creative and imaginative tribute to Lady Autumn and the beauty of the majestic Autumn season. You can add your offering to the padlet here.

I will add a digital image poem

of this week's poem to my 

Autumn's Ephemeral Gold Padlet

this weekend.

I thank my colleagues who have already submitted their artistic expressions:

Thank you to Patricia Franz, Robyn Hood Black, Tabatha Yeatts, Margaret Simon,  Karen Edmisten, and Molly Hogan for adding their artistic expressions.

🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂

Fellow readers, let poetry fill your soul and bring you warmth on Autumn days. Join the Poetry Friday community with our host, Rose Cappelli, at Imagine The Possibilites, a long-time friend, poet, author, and educator, for this week's Roundup. 

🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂🍁🍃🍂

Glimmering Gold Brushstrokes

🍁🍃🍂🍃🍁🍃🍂🍃🍁🍃🍂🍃🍁🍃🍂🍃🍁🍃🍂🍃🍁🍃🍂🍃🍁🍃🍂🍃🍁🍃

We often rush through our days, hurrying to the next event or task. Autumn allows us to take advantage of her subtle changes. A quiet artistry evolves. "There is a harmony in Autumn, and a luster in its sky" (Percy Bysshe Shelly) as Lady Autumn begins her offical work. With patience, she unfolds the magic of the season. Below is a short haibun celebrating nature's beauty that I created for my Autumn's Ephemeral Gold Padlet Gallery.

🍁🍃🍂🍃🍁🍃🍂🍃🍁🍃🍂🍃🍁🍃🍂🍃🍁🍃🍂🍃🍁🍃🍂🍃🍁🍃🍂🍃

The crisp scent of autumn perfumes the morning sky. Leaves crunch underfoot and an unknown plant in the front garden suddenly bursts into bright yellow blooms. A subtle shift in color ripples throughout the neighborhood. In the woods, "nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished" (Lao Tze) - each day, Lady Autumn adds her brushstrokes to fall's transitions.                                                                                                            Photo by Jakob Owens, Unsplash

autumn paints the woods

with glimmering gold and hue

summer fades away

©CVarsalona, 2026

🍁🍃🍂🍃🍁🍃🍂🍃🍁🍃🍂🍃🍁🍃🍂🍃🍁🍃🍂🍃🍁🍃🍂🍃🍁🍃🍂🍃

Hosted by the amazing Jama Rattigan at Alphabet Soup Blog.

Jama is serving coffee or tea and a delicious looking cinnamon roll made especially for readers by Basil and Corenlius, plus a feel-good poem by Washington State poet, writer and editor Kelli Russell Agodon.

🍁🍃🍂🍃🍁🍃🍂🍃🍁🍃🍂🍃🍁🍃🍂🍃🍁🍃🍂🍃🍁🍃🍂🍃🍁🍃🍂🍃

Time to Trust

October 1st, opened "as a beautiful, bright autumn day, with air like cider and a sky so blue you could drown in it." – (Diana Gabaldon)  Trees began to change their colors with some reddish and golden hues.  It was time for Lady Autumn to spread her colortones so the season could mature.  She did not hurry through this transition from September to October, yet she opened her heart to couple the natural plan of seasonal movement with the Lord's plan and His gentle blessing for earth. 

In mid-afternoon today, I drove through the countryside to the Capital Caring Adler Center for Caring, the hospice site where my husband passed on. I was in awe of nature's countryside scenery. The quiet of nature's still movements and the beauty of early autumn allowed me time to feel what Henry David Thoreau thought centuries ago, "Heaven is under our feet as well as over our head."  It seemed apparent that Nature was not hurrying through the transition of seasons. I was to trust in the slow work of God.  While not a patient person since childhood, I finally found that being in the present moment is a positive self-care choice to slow down. I trusted that my journey on the spiritual journey would bring a sense of peace.  While feeling the progression of ups and downs along with perpetual in-and-out grief, I knew I needed to take a giant pause.

When arriving at the Adler Center this afternoon, I delivered the flower bouquets for patients and staff that were created by my Creekside Cares community. I then decided to pause and walk the beautiful grounds searching for the labyrinth maze my bereavement counselor told me about. The pathway and benches offered mindfulness in the moment time with the art of being calm. My son said a prayer for his father before entering the labyrinth. There was peace in the air as the birds chirped and the sun continued to send its rays to earth. In those moments of remembrance, I wished my husband could have shared the beauty of this autumn day in a setting that God had blessed, but life is what it is.  I know now how vital it is to put my trust in the Lord's hand and honor His plan.  

Once again, I look back to January and my one word, restore. At that time, I needed hope to restore my soul, revive my heart, and renew my life in every part.  Now at this time of year, I realize it is a necessity to add trust as another goal. I need to slow down and believe that God is gradually forming a new spirit within me.  I want trust to become a sacred word, so I shall lean on the Lord who is my strength and my song - Isaiah 12:2.  

****************************

Today is Spiritual Journey Thursday, hosted by Patricia Franz. She asked the community to reflect upon the following prompt on trust, "Where, how are you trusting - or struggling to trust - in the slow work of God?  Patricia offered us a beautiful prayer, Patient Trust by Pierre Teilhand de Chardin, SJ. I have read this prayer many times tonight. I hope you join Patricia and other writers in the community.

****************************

I incorporated Poetry Friday with my Spiritual Journey Thursday blog post because my just-for-me time is always sparse. I thank Margaret Simon for hosting the PF Roundup this week. You can find that here. Once you are in her website you may also be interested in reading Margaret's post on trust. You can find that here.

Now that we are entering October, I hope many of my colleagues will offer your creative work for Autumn's Ephemeral Gold Gallery of Artistic Expressions. The invitation can be found here and the padlet here.

What If (Open Letter)

Today is the third day of the fall season in the Northern Hemisphere. Lady Autumn played in the rain yesterday, but the raindrops moved at a rapid rate. The Poetry Sisters invited Poetry Pals to create a poem that uses Colby Sharp's Creativity Project! Thank you, Tanita, Laura, Mary Lee, Liz, Sara, and Tricia. 

The prompt chosen is "It was all my fault." We were asked to create a poem that uses this idea, these words, or anything that this sentence makes you think of.

What If (Open Letter)

it was all my fault,

After all, it was only the 3rd day of fall.

My wish never was honored.

Would you say that the early rainstorms

running in fierce, relentless series were my doing?

Listen to my story before judging me.

I am indeed Lady Autumn!

Yet I, too, was caught in the downpour,

 with no one to shield me,

no one to wrap me in the sun's warm blanket.

Remember, throughout this shifting season,

I walk the same tangled pathways of life with you.

I meet the very same sharp challenges.

I am here to celebrate what was and is. 

So why continue to blame me

for the storms that simply cross our way?

Sincerely, Lady Autumn, fellow traveler

(draft by CVarsalona, 2026)

**************************************

With this poem in mind, I bring Padraig O Tuama's quote from Poetry Unbound: 50 Poems to Open Your World, as a reflective piece.

"A poem can be like a flame: helping us find our way,

keeping us warm." 

**************************************

Fellow travelers, let poetry fill your soul and bring you warmth on chilled days. Join the Poetry Friday community with our host, Tricia Stohr-Hunt, my patient, talented poet, educator, and Summer Swap poem for this week's Roundup. 

**************************************

Notes from Carol

I invite all the writers, artists, and poets to join me at my new Gallery of Artistic Expressions, Autumn's Ephemeral Gold Padlet, for a creative and imaginative tribute to Lady Autumn and the beauty of the majestic Autumn season. You can add your offering to the padlet here. 

Last week, I hosted Poetry Friday, and a strange happening dislodged the way Mr. Linky should have provided a visible way to showcase the writers' works. I read through most of the blog posts and still have a few more to enjoy. It is delightful to reflect on each person's perspective with poetic formats, brilliant word choice, and creative endeavors.

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.

Carol Varsalona- Welcoming Lady Autumn, Nature's Influencer 7. Alan j Wright (A Poem About Notebooks) 13. Jone (Pop-up Poetry) 2. Robyn Hood Black - The Swaps I Sent; Goodbye, Summer! 8. LInda B. - Out walking! 14. Patricia Franz 3. Linda M. 9. Heidi (testing the climate here) 15. Denise Krebs - Two Poems about My Week 4. Matt @ RR&R: " Putting the Warps on the ol's Triple- R" 10. Mary Lee (If... Then) 16. Mona Voelkel 5. jama (Worry Beads by Margaret Hasse 11. Irene Latham - a love of reading poem 17. Carol at The Apples in My Orchard 6. Tabatha 12. Jill Dailey - Unfolding 

Thank you fellow writers for adding your names and comments. I am sorry there was a gap while uploading your blog.

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!⚑