Autumn Day: Beauty and Refreshment to Enjoy

Yesterday in the late afternoon I took a walk outside. The autumn sun was going down but still sent fingers of light weaving in and out among the trees. 

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Drinking in the beauty of creation on this crisp, clear day brought refreshment.

I felt restless this morning, because I wanted to write something that would convey my thoughts on this lovely time of year. Somehow I wanted to connect the writing with photos taken on my walk. 

While looking at the photos, my fingers began to type the first words that came to mind hoping to create a poem. Suddenly I realized I could eliminate a few words to turn it into an autumn day haiku.

 

Sunshine, gentle breeze
Leaves crunching under my feet
Perfect autumn day

 

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After that I spent time viewing photos and writing haiku and would love to share them with you. Won’t you join me? It will almost be like we are walking together enjoying the beauty. May you be blessed and refreshed.

 

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Trees full of color
Red and yellow, green and brown
Lovely autumn day

 

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 Cat perched on fence post
Dog resting on bed of leaves
Lazy autumn day

 

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Red petals, green leaves
Tiny rose still blooming full
Pretty autumn day

 

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FEELING BLESSED THIS AUTUMN DAY

 

Later while leaning against the front of my house, squatting down a bit I took this next photo. From the fragrant red roses to the garden to the blueberries and ending with the foothills in the distance, it captures a lot from this place I call home. God has blessed and I am truly thankful.

 

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Rose bush was planted by my daughter, Jamie, years ago.

 

Wherever you are or whatever you are doing, remember to take time for rest and refreshment.

Let’s fully engage in each moment and give thanks for even the smallest blessings. May we remember to show love and grace with kindness, and may our hearts be at peace. May we embrace the gifts God has given us.

 

Every desirable and beneficial gift comes out of heaven. The gifts are rivers of light cascading down from the Father of Light. There is nothing deceitful in God, nothing two-faced, nothing fickle. He brought us to life using the true Word, showing us off as the crown of all his creatures.
(James 1:17,18 TheMessage)

 

I’m linking up with: #CoffeeforYourHeart, #ThreeWordWednesday, #ThoughtProvokingThursday, #100HappyDays, #LMMLinkup, #Faith’nFriends, #SmallWonder, #MomentsofHope, #TeaAndWord, #TellHisStory

30 thoughts on “Autumn Day: Beauty and Refreshment to Enjoy

  1. Dear Gayl, Your words made the photos come alive, and seem within reach. Poetry is such a beautiful gift from God. Thank you for sharing your beautiful thoughts and images! –Hugs and Blessings to you!

  2. Absolutely beautiful! The view outside the front of your house is wonderful! I lingered over that picture for quite a while. So peaceful. You truly are blessed. Thank you for sharing your Autumn walk and words with us today. You have blessed us. 🙂

    1. Thank you, Karen. At first I was planning to just take a picture of the rose, then I noticed how I could get a fuller view.

      I’m so glad you were blessed. I was hoping to bring people in to the peace I felt while on my walk.

      Many blessings to you!

  3. I’m trying to savor Autumn, too, my friend. I love the Advent season, but we miss so much by jumping in too soon. Your post today was just what I needed. Blessings.

    1. I agree, June. I love the Advent season, but I don’t want to rush things. I really want to slow down and notice the ordinary beauty in every day. So glad my post resonated with you.

      Many blessings to you, dear June!

    1. I’m glad this brought you a small moment of peace, Carol! Thank you for your encouragement. Yes, I do enjoy the views here and my daughter is helping us improve the property with her landscaping skills.

      I love to sit by a lake, it’s so peaceful – but I don’t have one in walking distance though there are several not far away. I enjoyed reading your post today, too. 🙂

      Blessings to you!

  4. Yes, may we each and all embrace the gifts that are right before us and all around. What a sweet journey I have been on with you this afternoon, Gayl. I love the haiku and the photographs. The dog just plopped in the leaves gave me a smile. And I can almost (not quite) smell the rose, I do not have this season where I live currently, but I have known Fall. I love is too. I also so appreciate those of you who share the beauty around you with those of us who live where there is one or two seasons a year. : )

    1. Wish you could have walked with me in person, Linda, but I guess words and pictures are the next best thing. 🙂 I’m glad you enjoyed it. Those roses are so fragrant and I don’t even remember what kind they are. I guess if I want more I’ll have to find some plants at a nursery and smell them first. 🙂

      I grew up where we only had about 2 seasons, or so it seemed. I lived in northeastern FL and we just didn’t have all the colors and changes of seasons. I do love living where I am now. Glad to share the beauty!

      Blessings to you!

    1. Thank you, Suzanne! Yes, I just knew she was going to jump up on that post so I kept watching for my chance and took a few pics.

      So glad you visited today! It’s nice to “see” you again!

      Blessings to you! xo

  5. Wonderful post in both words and photos. This line speaks deeply >> “Let’s try to be fully engaged in each moment and give thanks for even the smallest blessings.” I am finding lately that when we are fully engaged in the moment, we will always find our hearts overwhelmed with gratitude for something. Grateful to have read this post, Gayl. May you have a most blessed Thanksgiving!

  6. I am a sucker for autumn and poetry… even better when they are together. Thank you for sharing your gift of words and pictures <3 Stopping by from #tellhisstory Glad I ended up here. What a refreshing space on the interwebs 🙂

    1. Thank you so much for your encouraging words, Amanda! I’m so glad you were refreshed here on my website.

      Many blessings to you and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

  7. Oh my goodness! Lovely haikus! I’ll have to have my boys read them and then practice writing some. And they thought they were off school this week! Ha! 😉 #teaandword

    1. Kelly, thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed the haikus. Hopefully your boys will enjoy them, too! 🙂

      Thanks for stopping by and for your encouragement!

      Many blessings to you and have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

  8. Ahh I love this poetic post!! I feel like you hugged me with these words! I love nature, wood houses and words so when I come here I feel like I am at home in so many ways. I just mentioned to, Bettie, that I really wish to learn how to garden. I see you have something lovely in your ground here? I pray you have a blessed Thanksgiving. I love reading about your reflections and experiences. 🙂

    1. Oh, Meghan, this gives me such joy! I’m so glad you feel at home here. 🙂 Maybe you can really visit sometime!

      I’m still learning to garden. My oldest daughter has a landscaping business and she is the one who has helped us get it going. Her aim is not to just make things look pretty but have them be serviceable, too, things that are edible but also enrich the soil instead of tiring it out.

      Right now I have Brussels sprouts, red cabbage, parsley, oregano, thyme, kale, sage and strawberry plants. Then there are a dozen blueberry bushes. We’re still working on it but are making progress.

      Thank you so much for your encouraging words! I’m glad you enjoy my photos and reflections. 🙂 Many blessings to you and I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

  9. Oh my word, what a beautiful spot you live in, Gayl! Loved the view across the valley from your garden… how inspiring. As always, I love your poetry, it’s always brimming with gratitude and beauty and insight. And I know it’s the Master Poet who inspires your words and heart.
    I feel rested every time I visit your blog, friend. Thankful for you.

    1. Thank you so much, Christine! I’m glad you were inspired by the view. 🙂 Thank you also for your encouraging words. Yes, you are right, the Master Poet is my inspiration!

      I’m so glad you visited and felt rested. May God bless you and yours!

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