Your post resonates with me as a grandmother and I see you also have a women’s circle ⭕️. I belong to a women’s circle here in Canada 🇨🇦 and have also
been part of 3 international retreats, recently Crete in June of this year.
I feel such gratitude seeing the curiosity in the little grandchildren’s movements (1 year old ), in the never ending cute and funny questions from the 5 year olds (cousins- both daughters had their kids a month apart) and then there’s the worry that comes with the oldest grand almost 15, trying to find her identity and control in life.
I can hold both joy and worry only when I practice gratitude and look after myself. Thank you for reminding us of the little things that matter.
We have a lot in common, Heather. I am headed to Zakynthos next week with my group, Traveling Women's Circle.
My daughters had their 1-year-old baby boys six months apart. The next round of grandsons will only be one month apart. It is a really special time for us.
Yes, worry and joy! It's always those two together, isn't it?
As my seasons of life seem to move more quickly, I no longer perceive fall as the time of dead leaves dropping from trees and cold winter almost coming. Those used to be my thoughts. I’d try to mentally prep myself for the brutal upstate NY winters. Now, I languish in each moment of the day. Today is breezy and sunny. Cool, brisk morning, followed by warmer, sunny afternoon. When fall arrives, I am going to revel in the colors of the leaves. I’ll bake more and enjoy the goodies with warm drinks. At the end of the season, my granddaughter should be arriving. Gratitude in abundance.
How lovely to have two new babies on the way! I love the change of seasons, and look forward to opening my windows again to the cool breezes of Fall after summer's heat. I find the cold months more difficult than before, perhaps due to isolation. I accept the challenge this year to remain in cold weather and not flee as a snowbird. I am stronger now, four years after loss, to seek new options to fill my days and nights. That is a great blessing for me.
I love how you've changed into a new version of yourself. You sound like an active, take-charge person, and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised to find yourself enjoying winter staying in place.
Usually, I am dreading the thought of a long Montana winter, and Fall is my favorite season of the year, but this year, I am looking forward to our first snow. It will clear the air of the smoke from the many fires, and I will view the mountains across the valley in their full glory again. But more than that, it's a time of rest...fires in the fireplace, cozy reads with a wool plaid throw across my lap, and hours in the art studio with no places to rush off to. And...I will be seeing a granddaughter and four great-grandchildren soon! Nothing better. I also live in a tourist town...
I'm looking forward to the summer crowds leaving the parking spaces for us.
Yes, their cars definitely clog things up around here, too. Enjoy that beautiful view while staying cozy inside under a blanket! That's called living your best life.
I'm not a big fan of summer, so can't say I'm sad to see it coming to an end. I do love fall. Doesn't everybody?
Enjoy these days of transition and those grandchildren. And get ready for the next two. How exciting! I have three grandchildren. Mine live far away so don't get to see them often enough. Heading to MT soon to see two of them.
I live on the East Coast, so we get to enjoy the colors of fall. It wouldn't feel like fall without the colorful leaves. MT is a beautiful place - maybe you'll get some snow when you visit your grandkids.
I agree fall wouldn't feel like fall without those colorful leaves. I live in WI, so like you, I'm lucky in that. Not really wanting to see snow yet, even in MT!
Ilona, I love this. I truly love summer and was considering starting a petition to officially extend it by two months. (Will you sign my petition?) Not sure that it will be very effective as Mother Nature does not seem exactly receptive to suggestions these days but I too embrace what we call "Locals Summer". As you know all too well, it's the time when the traffic lightens, the restaurants are less crowded, the peace returns. It's lovely: still warm in the sun but now cool in the evening.
It's a delicious time.
As a seasonal change, it feels like things start to slow down, to settle. And this tends to bring out a bit of the contemplative in me. Changes in my environment call deeply, invite me to notice other changes happening around me: my own aging, witnessing the growth and new life in those around us.
Perhaps its because my memory becomes less resilient with each year, I am always focused on what lies ahead. And I welcome it. Thank you for providing a moment to be still and observe and be grateful.
I won't be here for locals' summer this year, so I'll gladly sign your petition. I'm headed to Greece for a few more weeks of heat.
I think the contemplative comes out in all of us in this phase of life. Life is precious and beautiful, regardless of the time of year. The seasons teach us through each of our senses. I can already smell those leaves burning!
Your writing stirs the autumn seed in my heart. The one that will plant in my most precious summer memories, only to spring forth new ones! Lovely work, dear! 🍐🍎🍏🍋🍁🍄🌻🪵🏈
You said it beautifully: "As we walk away from the warmth of summer, we turn toward something else: routine, rhythm, and the inward pull of autumn."
To me, the sweetness of late summer is the intermingling of these two currents moving in different directions. The co-mingling is short lived--like hot apple pie and ice cream. Neither flavor dominates, but the combo is delicious.
Your post resonates with me as a grandmother and I see you also have a women’s circle ⭕️. I belong to a women’s circle here in Canada 🇨🇦 and have also
been part of 3 international retreats, recently Crete in June of this year.
I feel such gratitude seeing the curiosity in the little grandchildren’s movements (1 year old ), in the never ending cute and funny questions from the 5 year olds (cousins- both daughters had their kids a month apart) and then there’s the worry that comes with the oldest grand almost 15, trying to find her identity and control in life.
I can hold both joy and worry only when I practice gratitude and look after myself. Thank you for reminding us of the little things that matter.
We have a lot in common, Heather. I am headed to Zakynthos next week with my group, Traveling Women's Circle.
My daughters had their 1-year-old baby boys six months apart. The next round of grandsons will only be one month apart. It is a really special time for us.
Yes, worry and joy! It's always those two together, isn't it?
Have an amazing time with your circle AND your grands - such special times !!!
As my seasons of life seem to move more quickly, I no longer perceive fall as the time of dead leaves dropping from trees and cold winter almost coming. Those used to be my thoughts. I’d try to mentally prep myself for the brutal upstate NY winters. Now, I languish in each moment of the day. Today is breezy and sunny. Cool, brisk morning, followed by warmer, sunny afternoon. When fall arrives, I am going to revel in the colors of the leaves. I’ll bake more and enjoy the goodies with warm drinks. At the end of the season, my granddaughter should be arriving. Gratitude in abundance.
It is funny how our perception changes as we age. There is something to love in every season. Congratulations on a new granddaughter, Jan!
How lovely to have two new babies on the way! I love the change of seasons, and look forward to opening my windows again to the cool breezes of Fall after summer's heat. I find the cold months more difficult than before, perhaps due to isolation. I accept the challenge this year to remain in cold weather and not flee as a snowbird. I am stronger now, four years after loss, to seek new options to fill my days and nights. That is a great blessing for me.
I love how you've changed into a new version of yourself. You sound like an active, take-charge person, and I think you'll be pleasantly surprised to find yourself enjoying winter staying in place.
Usually, I am dreading the thought of a long Montana winter, and Fall is my favorite season of the year, but this year, I am looking forward to our first snow. It will clear the air of the smoke from the many fires, and I will view the mountains across the valley in their full glory again. But more than that, it's a time of rest...fires in the fireplace, cozy reads with a wool plaid throw across my lap, and hours in the art studio with no places to rush off to. And...I will be seeing a granddaughter and four great-grandchildren soon! Nothing better. I also live in a tourist town...
I'm looking forward to the summer crowds leaving the parking spaces for us.
Yes, their cars definitely clog things up around here, too. Enjoy that beautiful view while staying cozy inside under a blanket! That's called living your best life.
Hi Ilona,
I'm not a big fan of summer, so can't say I'm sad to see it coming to an end. I do love fall. Doesn't everybody?
Enjoy these days of transition and those grandchildren. And get ready for the next two. How exciting! I have three grandchildren. Mine live far away so don't get to see them often enough. Heading to MT soon to see two of them.
I live on the East Coast, so we get to enjoy the colors of fall. It wouldn't feel like fall without the colorful leaves. MT is a beautiful place - maybe you'll get some snow when you visit your grandkids.
I agree fall wouldn't feel like fall without those colorful leaves. I live in WI, so like you, I'm lucky in that. Not really wanting to see snow yet, even in MT!
Ilona, I love this. I truly love summer and was considering starting a petition to officially extend it by two months. (Will you sign my petition?) Not sure that it will be very effective as Mother Nature does not seem exactly receptive to suggestions these days but I too embrace what we call "Locals Summer". As you know all too well, it's the time when the traffic lightens, the restaurants are less crowded, the peace returns. It's lovely: still warm in the sun but now cool in the evening.
It's a delicious time.
As a seasonal change, it feels like things start to slow down, to settle. And this tends to bring out a bit of the contemplative in me. Changes in my environment call deeply, invite me to notice other changes happening around me: my own aging, witnessing the growth and new life in those around us.
Perhaps its because my memory becomes less resilient with each year, I am always focused on what lies ahead. And I welcome it. Thank you for providing a moment to be still and observe and be grateful.
I won't be here for locals' summer this year, so I'll gladly sign your petition. I'm headed to Greece for a few more weeks of heat.
I think the contemplative comes out in all of us in this phase of life. Life is precious and beautiful, regardless of the time of year. The seasons teach us through each of our senses. I can already smell those leaves burning!
OH, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS BEAUTIFUL BEAUTIFUL POST!!! I can sure use it this morning. I'll read this one a few times.
I'm glad it resonated with you :) Grandbabies make the world go round.
Your writing stirs the autumn seed in my heart. The one that will plant in my most precious summer memories, only to spring forth new ones! Lovely work, dear! 🍐🍎🍏🍋🍁🍄🌻🪵🏈
Thanks so much, Sharon. I'm glad you have precious summer memories to plant.
More babies?! Yay! I was fortunate to have wonderful trips with family this summer and looking forward to my son’s upcoming wedding next spring!
Woo hoo-Congratulations to your whole family! More happy memories are coming your way, Marlo.
You said it beautifully: "As we walk away from the warmth of summer, we turn toward something else: routine, rhythm, and the inward pull of autumn."
To me, the sweetness of late summer is the intermingling of these two currents moving in different directions. The co-mingling is short lived--like hot apple pie and ice cream. Neither flavor dominates, but the combo is delicious.
Oooh, I love that image of hot apple pie and ice cream! Such a good combo and metaphor for what's ahead.
Great photo, I hadn't seen it. And great musings this week (as always...) but, of course, I may be a tad biased!