Celebrating Indian Summer

Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.  

George Eliot

This week. Long Island was dressed in brilliant colors as it celebrated nature with bright, glorious Indian Summer days. Autumn's golden hues were everywhere. I felt inspired by the crispness of leaves crunching beneath my shoes, sunshine on my face, and autumnal trees tossing their leaves from one branch to another. 

One morning, I stood transfixed on the sight of leaves gently dancing from branch to branch and across my roof. All of a sudden, the pattern was interrupted by a quick motion. I took a double take to note that a very acrobatic squirrel was engaged in the same sweeping patterns as the leaves but in an aggressive manner. His gymnastic stunts made me laugh. Unfortunately, I could not capture the movement with my iPhone. The nature waltz continued interrupted only for a few seconds by a hip hop trickster?

Mid-week my husband and I happened upon a farmer's market at one of the parks on the north shore of Long Island. After make a long list of wishes, we settled on farm-fresh vegetables and a large fall-inspired coffee. A long walk through the park was exactly what I was looking for-magnificent autumnal scenes.

Nature brought Indian Summer days to Long Island this week. I was impressed by the season's beautiful invitation to soak in the pleasures of autumn.  I hope it is a glorious shade of autumn where you are. Let Indian Summer days capture your heart as they did mine.

Please visit Ruth Ayres' blog site, discover, play, BUILD to celebrate this week with her and the Celebrate This Week bloggers. 

Aftermath of a Storm

Recently, with memories of Superstorm Sandy that ravaged Long Island during late October 2012, Long Island prepared for potential issues related to Hurricane Joaquin. When the storm passed us by, everyone let out a sigh of relief. Days later, as Indian Summer settled it, I took a walk with my family to the south shore to see how the beach held up. Upon returning home, I wrote a haiku. The original photo was digitalized with the photo-editing tools, Waterlogue and PicMonkey.

Today, I drafted a narrative poem accompanied with digitalized photos to tell the story 

of what I saw in the aftermath of a storm. 

In the warmth of the Indian Summer sun 
that streamed from sky to shore,
he reached out to catch a wave
rushing from ocean's floor.

Walls of sand soundly fortified the beach. 
Mighty bulwarks piled ever so high
left hints in wake of ocean's wrath -
as he quietly walked miles on by.

On mounds of sand they silently stared,
waiting for ocean's fearless roar
to ride the thunderous ocean waves,
that were sliding fast to shore.

Strolling  the beach I noticed and wondered,

recalling moments from summer's past.

that led to an October day featuring

a shoreline receding ever so fast.

As Indian Summer kissed the shore
autumn greeted a bright, crisp day,
with the promise of finding fall at 
Long Island beaches and its bay.

Listen to In Waves of Indian Summer to reflect upon the blessings of the earth. 

May your Indian Summer days be filled with warmth and unfolding dreams. 

Please visit Amy Ludwig VanDerwater at The Poem Farm where she is cheerfully hosting the Poetry Friday Round-up. Her welcome is a wonderful invitation to enjoy the party. 

Come One! Come All! Poetry Friday is Here! 

Welcome to this Week's

Party

Easing into Indian Summer

Dear Mother Nature,

Yesterday I noticed that summer was ready to take a bow. In what appeared to be an Indian Summer-like day on Long Island, temperatures were cooler and walking less labored. You painted the world with brilliant sun-drenched hues to create a picture-perfect day. The sight was well appreciated.

As I took a ride out East with my family, I wondered about life and your talents? I thought about how you consistently channel your energies to inspire us and silently questioned your thoughts. Are your artistic talents innate or have you learned from a master? Are you getting ready to mix a new palate of colors to dazzle the world or will you rely on last year's canvas? Lastly, what resources do you have to coax the seasons and bring about change?

Last night upon my return from my walking jaunt, I watched you turn day turn into nighttime. I pictured an invisible brush stroking the canvas with a darker shade of night. You left a mid-September mark and a feeling of excitement in the cool night air. Shall I thank you for that now or wait to see what happens next as you prepare the landscape for upcoming moments to savor? 

While I continue to linger in the beauty of your summer season as visualized in my latest gallery of artistic expressions, Summer Splashings, I switch glasses to see more clearly. Yesterday, you offered me a sneak preview of what is to come. I appreciate the opportunity to switch gears. With a positive mindset and an attitude of gratitude I start my day as I reflect in the quiet of morning. 

There are annoyances that disrupt the flow but I need to let go of those. I need to concentrate on how to positively proceed with my day. A closer observation of my surroundings is needed? How often do I move on to the next task without taking the time to appreciate present moments. How often do I get impatient? When will I learn that multi-tasking is not the answer? "Be mindful and intentional" is being whispered to me in the stillness of the day. I look out my window to appreciate what is before me.

On Sunday I was still celebrating summer and while I may be hesitant to let that feeling go, I am inspired by the environmental changes noted yesterday and this morning. I thank the beauty of a mid-September day for easing me into Indian Summer and life's master artist for painting the world a brighter shade of sunshine in expectation of a new season. 

As an educator, I know that change comes slowly and that reflection is important. Passion and inspiration guide our practice. As in life, we closely observe our surroundings in the classroom, mentally record our noticings, and continue to wonder. The same questions that I asked of you, Mother Nature, can be adapted for reflective practitioners. 

How can educators continue to hone their skills as artisans of learning? 

Is the concept of teachers as awakeners of learning filtering into the classroom culture? 

Are educator "artisans" mixing a new palate of colors to dazzle learners or are they utilizing last year's canvas? 

What resources are available to bring about change? 

Easing me into an Indian summer-like mood with a positive mindset and an attitude of gratitude for all that the world holds in its hands will guide my next steps for observing life and learning. Hopefully, this will be an incentive for others to do the same. 

Sincerely,

A Grateful Me

Today, please visit the Tuesday Slice of Life at Two Writing Teachers to read other educators' reflections, musings, and slices of life.