Tuesday, October 22, 2024

In Awe of Autumn

🍀🍁🍀🍂🍃🍁🍀🍁🍀🍂🍃🍁🍀🍁🍀🍂🍃🍁🍀🍁🍀🍂🍃🍁🍀🍁🍀🍂🍃🍁🍀🍁🍀🍂🍃🍁🍀🍁🍀🍂🍃🍁

It was a crisp mid-October day that opened its expansive blue sky to the beauty of Autumn. We drove on the country road bordered by a canopy of huge green trees splattered with the colors of fall, umber, russet, gold, maize, crimson, pine green, and raw sienna. The rows of trees stood close together like crowds watching a parade. One leaf danced in front of our car and another followed the leader. I paused and wondered. Do leaves whisper to each other?

We continued to drive in awe of Autumn's beauty. Gravel roads took us to Wegmeyer Farm with a quaint barn that led us to pumpkin fields. The orange pumpkins against a backdrop of green trees enhanced the beauty of this magnificent fall day.

Outside the barn was a glorious array of nature's finest farm-raised items and a cutout board for photos Inside the barn were wooden bins of gourds and pumpkins in various sizes. The large bumpy ones I had never seen before. Little Lila did not enjoy those gourds.

Goosenecks were fun to pick up and share with the little grandgirls. Outside there was a glorious array of nature's finest farm-raised items. There was even a cutout board for photos in the cutouts outside but our baby was not in the mood.


It was time for the hayride, so the family climbed into the wagon and sat on large haystacks. We traveled through the farmland. The ride was bumpy but the scenery was lovely. The grands were delighted with the scavenger hunt that encouraged them to find interesting objects in the woods. Besides farm tools and a group of tiny scarecrows lined up like a football team, Halloween characters were hiding in the trees. After twenty minutes of a fun bumpy hayride, the farmer returned to the corn maze and the barn. The ride was delightful but getting up from the haystack was difficult for me; the barn's bakery smells led us forward. There were apple cider and glazed donuts for a treat. After taking in autumn's magic at the farm, we traveled to the next stop, a brewery and a playground for the children. The slogan Virginia is for lovers is a true statement. We bid the little girls goodbye with kisses. The spirit of autumn was in the air.

Virginia's scenic roads led us to discover new country places to wander and pause while Autumn was all around. Perhaps next weekend we will find more hidden gems to explore.

🍂🍃🍁🍀🍁🍀🍂🍃🍁
sunshine spilling,
leaf-dancing
nostalgic memories of crisp autumn mornings
recall kaleidoscopic scenes that changed weekly-
nature's invitation:
gather outside
find fall
©CVarsalona, 2024

🍂🍃🍁🍀🍁🍀🍂🍃🍁
INVITATION for WRITERS:
Join me at my blog as I host Poetry Friday on 10/25/2024.
My topic is Awe-Inspiring Autumn.
🍂🍃🍁🍀🍁🍀🍂🍃🍁

This is my Tuesday's Slice of Life that I send to Two Writing Teachers,
a meeting place for a world of reflective writers.

15 comments:

  1. Carol, I love the idea of leaves whispering to each other as they gracefully dance toward the ground. Imagine the stories the tell each other. Your post is filled with the sights, sounds, and smells of a glorious autumn day. Apple cider and glazed donuts - what a perfect combination. Glad you and your family had such an enjoyable fall day. Bob

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bob, your responses always make mepause to ponder. I think about leaves whispering. Perhaps that will become a slice someday. If you are interested in joining my blop post on Thursday night or Friday, I would love to hear how Autumn awes you.

      Delete
  2. Carol,
    This makes me long for those winding roads in the Ozarks where the changing leaves shine like the sun. It sounds like an idyllic outing w/ the grandkids.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glenda, It is always great to read your comments. I have never been in the Ozarks but I would love to see the description you shared: changing leaves shine like the sun

      Delete
  3. What a great way to spend time with your granddaughters! I love the description of the fall imagery ~ it appeals to the senses, and especially this:
    a group of tiny scarecrows lined up like a football team. I could see them - - this was perfect~

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I do not know who sent this comment to me but I am thankful. Fall offers a beautiful season. The little football team was waiting for the children to see it and clap.

      Delete
  4. Your piece takes me there to experience everything fall has to offer. Your grandchildren are fortunate to have these memories written for them to read as they get older.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Alice, thanks for stopping by, Fall is a beautiful time of year that celebrates in style.

      Delete
  5. Carol, I love the finding of fall throughout your post. Your sweet "Virginia is for Lovers" was a cute adding of an exclamation mark as we saw how much the day meant to you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Denise, I can remember back in time when I was a kid. Swishing my feet in the leaves was so much fun and bonfires were allowed to get rid of the leaves and of course, have roasted marshmellows.

      Delete
  6. Carol, your vivid words and imagery brought a Virginia autumn drive down to me in southeast Texas. You've inspired me to decorate my house for autumn even though I was not going to this year. :) I love how you create a poem from each of your stories-it might be a great way to dip my toes into poetry. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much Debbie Lynn. You should dip your toes into poetry. I am hosting Poetry Friday from tonight around 8 to all day tomorrow. You could write a poem or just read the posts to see the different types of writing everyone does.

      Delete
  7. Glorious photos, Carol. Having grown up in VA I recall that slogan well, Virginia is for Lovers. As kids we were told it meant lovers of history...but there is much to love about the state's beauty, as you reveal here. Your trinet poem reminds me of a pumpkin I saw at the store, painted with the words "Fall in love." Wish I'd bought it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fran, I did not know that you grew up in VA. I am also a lover of history so thanks for letting me know that thought.

      Delete