On the last golden days of October, Micah and his Dad visited us. We played in the leaves, drew pictures, made pizza, and read stories. We had a wonderful time. They flew safely home yesterday. The house is quieter as I tuck crayons into the drawer to wait for the next visit.
Monday, the light shifted a few degrees, tilting the northern hemisphere toward shorter days. Yesterday the wind blew and the trees in our yard let go of all their leaves. Nearby, red and red/orange maples show their colors a while longer. Today is Halloween. The sky is a bright gray and November is around the corner. Autumn rhythms are rich with grace.
Chickadees, nuthatches, sparrows, juncos and downy woodpeckers are in the midst of a feeding frenzy this morning. Since migration patterns are based on changes in light, the birds probably sense this turn toward deeper autumn or maybe they are just hungry. The small red-breasted nuthatches are a new addition to our yard so I wanted to know more about them. More petite than their white-breasted cousins, their light cinnamon colored breasts are just right for autumn. The white-breasted species has a white face with a black cap while these tiny birds sport a white eyebrow stripe above a black stripe that runs across their eye. Each morning, the small birds visiting the birch and feeders are my faithful writing companions.
I join Kat and the Unravelers although neither my knitting projects or reading has changed. I put the Christmas stocking away while I had company. That project requires quiet knitting time. While watching the early innings of the World Series, I knit the heel flap and turned the heel on a second sock so that is quite ready for car knitting. Click on over to see what other makers are crafting and reading. I recommend both Pachinko and A Warrior of the People. Both are keeping my interest - one audio and one a hard copy.
Happy Haunting, Happy Harvest, Happy Halloween.
Thank you... for the grace of this post. It is calming, soothing, interesting, and yes - educational! I did not know about these tiny differences in nuthatches. These finite changes in the day are a thing of comfort though, in a world that at times seems to be more than a bit uncomfortable, the measured changes of the season are a good reminder that I am not in charge and that is just perfect!
ReplyDeleteIt's not really about your projects; it's about your evocative words describing your days and nature so beautifully. I, too, appreciate your nuthatch descriptions, along with the changing of the light, and your joy in the visit from Micah and his father. The lunacy of the last week retreats when I read your hopeful writing.
ReplyDeleteWhat fun times with that sweet child!!! I love seeing our nuthatches returning. We have juncos too. My hummingbirds have long left.
ReplyDeleteA lovely post. Thank you. We've been enjoying the return of birds to our feeders. The nuthatches are so funny - upside down much of the time.
ReplyDeleteI love this weather changing, all good and welcome from me! Micah looks bigger to me, what fun that they came to visit with you :) Lovely sock and no birds here unless they are in the wild for me to see.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely, peaceful post, Jane. Such a pleasure to read! What a fun visit from Micah and his dad. I'll bet they enjoyed spending time with you - and celebrating fall, Grandma-style. :-) I don't believe I've ever seen the red-breasted nuthatch before! We have the white-breasted ones at our feeder now, and you can be sure I'll be keeping my eyes open for their red-breasted cousins. Enjoy the day, Jane. XO
ReplyDeleteI am hoping to start Pachinko this weekend. I have heard so many good reviews
ReplyDeleteHello! I thoroughly enjoyed sharing your autumn/intro to November moments...my friend Margaret would appreciate your description of the birds_ she's a long-time, avid bird watcher and feeder...I will share with her.. .and she was just in Nebraska in Sept.
ReplyDeleteYou described this time of year beautifully.
ReplyDelete