Wednesday, August 15, 2018

A Touch of Fall


Yesterday a slow steady rain fell all morning. The sound of rainfall and gray light was meant for stories and words. I picked up The Reading Woman engagement calendar that I keep on my desk for inspiration. A generous thoughtful friend and fellow book club member gave it to me last December. The calendar is illustrated with paintings of reading women. A reading-related quote by a woman follows each painting. The art work is beautiful and the quotes range from sassy to meditative. As I considered the bright shining faces of neighborhood children on this first week of a new public school year, I read this quote by Maya Angelou,"If I were a young person today, trying to gain a sense of myself in the world, I would do that again by reading, just as I did when I was young." I wish these young students a good year with time enough to read a book for pure enjoyment. I miss this wise woman but am thankful for others who write and speak today.

Ursula K. LeGuin was another wise woman. Although I haven't read her fiction, I admire her essays and short pieces of nonfiction. Her insights into life, writing, publishing, and reading are thought provoking. In February 2010, she talked and facilitated a discussion of "What Women Know" published in Words Are My Matter. She finds hope in the ways women teach lessons of being human to children and strengthen cultures by telling stories.

Kat and the Unravelers continue their reading, stitching, and story telling. I look forward to reading their blog posts today. I am knitting the foot on the first blue sock  and reading several books at one time, including Words Are My Matter. I have only begun Craeft: An Inquiry into the Origins and True Meaning of Traditional Crafts, written by an English archeologist. It begins with history of a scythe and making hay. Although I was hoping to read more about the fiber arts, the book is interesting enough that I keep reading.

Today is cool and gray. As my Mom used to say, "There is a little touch of Fall in the air." No doubt the temperature will rise and today's humidity will make the afternoon feel like summer but this morning I sense the season changing. Like my wise and kind mother, I prefer autumn and winter, however I am grateful for the feast of fresh summer produce. Today's tomatoes make good soup and sauce for colder days. This afternoon's work is to preserve some of this tomato bounty. The green sprigs behind the tomatoes are herbs. Stacking them on paper towels is my high tech method for drying and saving them for winter. The system is messy but it works well. 

May you all have wise and kind women in your lives and reading as you savor the bounty of summer.






9 comments:

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  3. Oh, look at those lovely tomatoes! I'll be getting some in my CSA share tomorrow and am looking forward to BLTs, long with some sweet corn.

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  4. Oooh! I am on the waitlist for Craeft! I hope that I get this book soon!

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  5. Likewise, I am not a big fan of summer, but I do greatly appreciate the fresh fruits and vegetables. Sadly, it's been so hot or so wet here this year, there aren't many tomatoes to be had.

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  6. A very wise woman took me to birthday lunch today. I LOVE those tomatoes. They are the essence of summer produce here. I LOVE a real vine tomato purchased at a garden stand. MMMMMMMM

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  7. I wish that there was some crisp cool air here, we have oppressive heat and humidity so I'm a little jealous. However, I know soon enough I will get some fallish weather soon!!

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  8. You read such interesting books, Jane, and I am going to look for Words Are My Matter at the library. Are those a few yellow leaves I spy on the table? I am actively looking for those "little touches of fall in the air"!

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  9. Im going to get WORDS are MY Matter for ALLISON And for me. Im reading a baseball book

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