Hello Gentle Readers. Another week gone by and we are all still here. Somedays I feel like that is an accomplishment. Earlier this morning rain fell. Moisture clinging to the leaves shimmers in sunlight. Monarchs are the story here. According to the local paper, there are more than usual. Currently they are out in the zinnias and marigolds. Even though we have had some sweater weather, they are still migrating and/or resting here. Once again, today's high is forecast for eighty degrees. Each time the temperature bounces back up, I wonder if this will be the last for the year. I did see a junco on the deck railing, a little harbinger of deeper fall and winter. Nature and life are full of paradox.
This week I continued to work on the same two knitting projects but I'm making progress and enjoying the process. I finished the first sock of this pair and cast on the second. I didn't take a photo of the wrap although I am knitting the last section of a simple lace pattern and hope to finish within the next week. The changing stitch patterns keep the project interesting.
I recently finished two books. The Artist and the Feast by Lucy Steeds. The novel takes place during the summer of 1920 in rural Provence. Three main characters, an eccentric cruel old man artist, a young male journalist who hopes to write about the artist for a magazine after washing out of an art academy, and the young woman who runs the artist's household narrate the story. This book would pair well with A Month in the Country by J.L. Carr, another book set in the same year. Both speak to the power of art to change lives. This debut novel isn't perfectly written but I thoroughly enjoyed it. If Ms. Steeds continues to publish, I look forward to reading more of her work.
I also read Misbehaving at the Crossroads by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers. Ms. Jeffers wrote an eloquent memoir about the crossroads in her life. Although her tone is sometimes conversational, she speaks to hard and loving truths. Her strong writing shines a light on the lives of Black women as well as her own. Along the way, she connects the dots between policy and legal structures with the many ramifications for human beings. Her research is well documented and meticulous. The structure that includes essay, poetry, letters, and journal entries from the end of her mother's life is creative and thoughtful. This memoir an excellent read.
Now that the trees have dried, I'm going out for a walk. I hope wherever you are, you find some small paradox that makes you smile in a good way. We are still here.
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| Photo by my daughter, Kate |
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I hadn't thought about things in that way before, but I do believe you are right. The fact that we are here and still hanging in is indeed an accomplishment. Your socks are perfect for fall, and your weather sounds just about right in the interim before deeper fall. I'm glad you have more monarchs and thanks for sharing Kate's wonderful photo!
ReplyDeleteLike Bonny, I thank you for that very good perspective on things. Every morning that we wake up, can be (mostly) functional, and still have some free will is a good one. I haven't spotted a monarch in a couple of days, but they've been plentiful around here, too, and it's made me happy to see them. It's been cooler this week here, but the bees still seem to be enjoying the flowers that remain.
ReplyDeleteI am grateful for October's fine weather and the changing season ... it hit 82 here this afternoon, and that's warm, but not A/C warm. I've noticed more butterflies here, too (at least it seems like "more" ... I wonder if that's true or if I'm just noticing more). I'm so glad you enjoyed Misbehaving at the Crossroads (I figured you would ... and still it's nice to be right ;-)
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