Two weekends ago in Virginia, Autumn brightened the sky. Temperatures were warm and inviting. When my husband suggested taking a country ride to Shenandoah National Park I welcomed the trip. After all, I had years of memories of New York autumns. The short trip was filled with Aha moments. The countryside was dotted with multi-colored trees in brilliant tones. I don't think I ever saw such splendiferous beauty at the end of October. I felt renewed energy as I breathed in the warmth of autumn air and was astonished by the breathtaking beauty found on Skyline Drive as we drove upward stopping at various elevation sites.
I am grateful that this month's Spiritual Journey host, Fran Haley, teacher-leader, and writer, suggested the theme of renewal as our prompt. It is the right choice for the first days of November which allow us to breathe in crisp air and watch the leaves fly by.
My path to renewal of mind, body, and spirit began with the trip to Skyline Drive in Shenandoah National Park and continues each time I step outside into nature's freshened pathway. I reflect on these slowdown days of Autumn that showcase Earth's beauty and provide renewed energy to partake in nature's gifts.
"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day." -2 Corinthians 4-16
Because my time is running out this weekend, I am adding my post to the Poetry Friday Roundup. Children's Author/Poet Buffy Silverman is hosting today, She is celebrating the publication of her newest children's book ==================>.
November enters with gratitude for life and living.
TIME TO CELEBRATE POETRY FRIDAY
Carol, I felt like autumn was a perfect time for a theme of renewal, and you have so shown us why. We're reprieved of summer's heat and the splendor of nature so points us to our creative, sovereign God. The verses you shared from the Psalms and 2 Corinthians could not be better reminders. I am indeed grateful for His wondrous artistic touch! And yours, as always. Your posts, poems, and images guide the soul God-ward. Deepest thanks <3
ReplyDeleteFran, it has been so comforting reflecting on renewal and being able to chat with you virtually over emails and comments. May healing vibes come your way for your husband and wishes for perseverance for the family. Have a wonderful November.
DeleteCarol, as a fellow autumnophile, I join you in celebrating the majesty of fall. The crisp air and the splendid colors are renewing to me. It seems paradoxical that the slowdown days of autumn can bring renewed energy, but they do! I love the actions taken in your short three line poem: Breathe in, Feel renewed, Be grateful! Thanks for sharing your insights and for sharing scripture with us too.I In a time of much darkness, it's good to be reminded to meditate on God's splendor and His wonderful miracles.
ReplyDeleteRamona, God is such a master artist. It is hard to contrast what I saw against a backdrop of news reports on war and devastation. As we are thankful for the beauty of the earth others disregard land and life. My prayers tonight are for those who will never have a chance to be part of this world.
DeleteCarol, the colors in your photos are breathtaking. That blue bonnet sky is the perfect backdrop for the autumn palette. Thank you for your renewing reflections and poems. I hope the memories of this trip will bring deep renewal.
ReplyDeleteKaren, the memory of the landscape in rich autumnal colors is still in my mind. I have so many more photos to explore and poems brewing in my head. What an array of sights we saw! The only way to think of this is with gratitude.
DeleteCarol, Fall colors, Fall scents, Fall beauty, the ideal way to renew our bodies and spirits before the grays of winter set in. Your pictures capture the beauty of the season. We are past our peak here. You are so right in saying that each time you step outside it is a renewal of mind and spirit.
ReplyDeleteBob, thanks for sharing the beauty of fall with me through your comment. I have always tried to find the right days of autumn to immerse myself in the peak. I am so grateful that I was able to have a full look at the beauty of the Virginia countryside. I still can feel the wonder I experienced.
Delete(I logged into google then logged back in to your post and - voila!)
ReplyDeleteOoh...beautiful Corinthians reminder that the work of renewal is always at work! What a gorgeous panorama to accompany this time for reflection, Carol - a mute testimony indeed! What a gift to be able to journey with your husband to enjoy peace-filled renewal together. Blessing upon blessing!
Patricia, thanks for the blessing upon blessing. My blogger commenting seems to do the same thing now that you find. At least this time, I was able to comment on your blog. Have a wonderful weekend.
DeleteWhat a beautiful post! Your poem with its echoes of lines gives me that awe-filled feeling of being in nature.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Margaret. I started out using an acrostic format but it did not work well so I switched to other formats. I am so pleased that we went to the National Park when it was warm. The weather now switched to the 40s-60 degrees this week with hopes of getting back to high 60s. My poor basil got hit with the frost so I am hoping that my flowers and herbs will survive as the weather improves. Have a wonderful end of fall and NCTE Convention.
DeleteThanks for this lovely post! I visited Shenandoah Park several years ago, and the skyline drive really is quite something! I appreciate the walk down memory lane, and your use of the word "splendiferous!" :) Happy Poetry Friday!
ReplyDeleteI am still amazed when I look at my photos of the park. The colors are stunning. 100 different species of trees were planted making the visual so extraordinary with different colors all scattered. I can imagine artists adding their artwork of the scenes.
DeleteI love how you've captured the colors and awe of Skyline Drive. Years ago, when I was pregnant with our firstborn, the spouse and backpacked along Skyline Drive. After hiking a half-mile we were far from the crowd, greeted only by the forest and its critters. Thanks for the trip back!
ReplyDeleteBuffy, I am so glad that you were able to experience Skyline Drive and the park. This was my first time there and the park does not disappoint. The breaktaking views were magnificent.
DeleteAutumn's my favorite. This is so beautiful--I especially love the uncommon color words you used!
ReplyDeleteLaura, I am still amazed every time I look at my photos of the national park. I was also fascinated by the back story of the project and the Civilian Conservation Crew that etched out the park over the course of years. One of the lines in the museum talked about young boys becoming men during the project.
DeleteYep, time moves on! Most of our leaves are on the ground now, Carol, but there are a few bright spots as I walk through my neighborhood. I love the idea of your varied red and orange paints against the "bluebonnet sky". Happy weekend!
ReplyDeleteLinda, if only the world could step back and be in awe of what is here before us rather than dehumanizing life and destroying beauty.
DeleteI'm so glad you got to Skyline Drive. I haven't done that trip yet--well not the whole drive. Your pantoum is the perfect format for a beautiful fall day. And, I love the idea of the earth growing quiet...and the leaves whisper.
ReplyDeleteLinda, I am still so amazed by what I saw. I felt I was in an art museum of revolving colors. Each elevation had a different appeal to the setting but they all were majestic pieces of nature's artwork.
DeleteCarol, wow. Those photos are so delicious. I know I have never seen "such splendiferous beauty" in the autumn. That first and last line of your poem with the color words just makes the photos more breathtaking--cinnamon, copper, and regal red! Wow, that is exactly what we see in the photos.
ReplyDeleteDenise, even my husband used the word breathtaking when as we drove from one elevation to the other on Skyline Drive. I could not stop taking photos of what my eyes saw.
DeleteSuch gorgeous pictures and words! I'm with you -- a fellow autumnophile!
ReplyDeleteAnd the list of autumnophiles increases...Thanks for joining the lovers of Autumn, Mary Lee.
DeleteCarol, such gorgeous pictures! When I saw the first one, I was reminded of a cozy, autumn sweater. Your poem truly captures the beauty of the moment.
ReplyDeleteBeauty of the moment-that's right, Tracey! I am a bit discombobulated this morning so I am going to breathe in Autumn's fresh air and just be to observe nature's beauty.
DeleteBeautiful post, Carol!! Love the pictures, poems, and quotes. This is a wonderful welcome to November and a thoughtful, heartfelt celebration of my favorite season. *swooning*
ReplyDeleteJama, shall I add you to the list of autumnophiles? Autumn's blue-bonnet sky just cam out lighting the way to a lovely day. The tops of trees are leafless but there are still plenty that pack a punch! Happy Fall.
DeleteI love that drive and I know the views. So beautiful, and you have presented all that beauty in photos and words. Winds whisper/time moves on. So much in those words.
DeleteJanice, I am so glad that you have had the opportunity to drive through Shenandoah National Park. I am still thinking of the beautiful color change. Happy November in Syracuse. I remember the snow falling right around Thanksgiving the last time we were there in November.
DeleteI've never been to Shenandoah National Park but your poem made me feel like I was able to visit with you. Thank you for giving a name to what so many of identify as, "autumnophiles". :)
ReplyDeleteBridget, I hope autumn is a beautiful in Europe as it is here today. While the trees here are not as bountiful and beautiful as those in Shenandoah National Park, I am still soaking in the color changes.
DeleteYour posts are always so rich and fulfilling, Carol! Thank you for your wonderful words and photos. I'm looking forward to doing some much-needed gardening work today and savoring the gifts of autumn.
ReplyDeleteRose, I do hope the weather is as beautiful by you as it is here. Gardening is such a restful activity as one tends to the beauty of nature.
DeleteI love-love-love your November #smallpoem, Carol!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Anastasia. That is a great compliment coming from you. It was another magnificent autumn day in Northern Virginia today. I am working on another digital graphic and poem.
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