With crimson vines and fading roses on cottage walls, one is half tempted to say that this is the best time of the year . . . this time of fruit and falling leaf, blue smoke and pearly haze. Autumn's golden days of peace and fulfillment.
Our days are book-cased with slow sunrises and grey-blue twilights, and in between nature's consolation to the heart, golden Crysanthemums. The roses are fading, the dahlias droop, leaves are just blowing away. One might want to sorrow at what seems like desolation, ruin and decay . . . but for the vivaciousness of the Crysanthemum, setting garden paths ablaze and lighting chill tainted rooms with their bold array of colour, brilliant and rich and bright . . . ambers and lemons, bronze and copper, gold maroon and white. They put on such a beautiful display.
For me, this is the time of cosy . . . as the twilight deepens I get to enjoy sitting at the window looking out at the first stars pricking through the dusk. This is not something I am able to embrace in the summer months when the sun goes down long after I have.
As the darkness drops down over the quiet fields, there is a certain comfort that comes from being able to draw the curtains and light the lamps. There is a special and unique joy to be found in sitting in low rooms which are warm and cosy, accompanied by the music of the crackle and snapping of dry and blazing logs in the hearth. How good it is to once more bathe in the soft glow of lamplight reflected in the gleam of polished oak cabinets and copper kettles . . . to once more light the candles and truly be able to appreciate the tranquility of light and spirit that they bring to any room.
We see the Winter approaching . . . it is already tickling the edges of our days, but we are not yet ready to let go, there is still so much to left for us to enjoy, so much colour still to grasp.
Live without colour. How drab it would be. How grateful I am that God, the great artist of earth and sky, of land and sea, has created such a lovely thing as autumn, a world lovely with shadow and light, With each day's pictures being painted in tones light and bright, like coloured amber and sparkling jewels . . .
I see the winter approaching without much concern though a
passionate lover of fine weather and the pleasant scenes of summer.
But the long evenings have their comforts too; and there is hardly to be
found upon the earth, I suppose, so snug a creature as an
Englishman by his fireside, in the winter. I mean, however, an
Englishman that lives in the country.
~William Cowper, October 7th, 1783
There is a sameness about the summer trees, when the forms of bole and bough are covered in heavy green leaf . . . but in the autumn when the leaves begin to change and to fall, one is finally able to see the individuality of each tree, through their stark outlines which stand against the sky, their different colourings marked distinctly via leaf and seed . . . their coloured leaves fluttering and dancing above their footsteps like a young girl's pettitcoats at her first ball.
In the woods the oaks may still be green above the brown bracken, but the birch tosses its yellow leaves into the wind, where they fly . . . slim and graceful amongst the solid masses of the fruited thorns. Lanes lined with beeches do take the breath away, the waning sunlight drawing the fire out of their bronze and coppery leaves, which seem to burn above the head and smoulder beneath your feet.
Like Anne Shirley I want to shout loudly to all who would hear it . . . "I am so glad that I live in a world of Octobers!" Autumn truly is my favourite colour.
The Doctor went all over my back yesterday. He doesn't seem to think it is anything serious, as much as it might hurt. I just need to ride it through and hope that it gets better. He told me to take two paracetemal at a time up to 8 altogether in a day for the pain and gave me a sheet of exercises to do and I have an appointment booked with the Physiotherapist on the 24th of October, so in 8 days time. He did say however, if all of a sudden I seemed to lose control of my bladder (a comforting thought) to go to the A&E right away. Maybe the physiotherapist will send me for a scan to see what's what, or at least be able to help sort it out. Finger's crossed. I don't mind saying that it is a bit depressing being in pain all the time. It mostly hurts when I move, but I don't fancy a life where I must stay constantly still in order to be pain free. Getting out of bed in the morning is excruciating, but it does gradually get more bearable as the day progresses.
A thought to carry with you . . .
° * 。 • ˚ ˚ ˛ ˚ ˛ •
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~\。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ | 田田 |門 ★
*Your first thought in the
•。★★ 。* 。
° 。 ° ˛˚˛ * _Π_____*。*˚
˚ ˛ •˛•˚ */______/~\。˚ ˚ ˛
˚ ˛ •˛• ˚ | 田田 |門 ★
*Your first thought in the
morning should be . . .
Thank you. •。★★ 。* 。
In The English Kitchen today . . . Sticky Toffee Rice Pudding . . . oh my goodness. Sigh . . .
Have a wonderful Wednesday! Don't forget!
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And I do too!
Marie, is it possible that it is arthritis in your back? If so, something that has given us relief from arthritic pain, no matter where in the body, is apple cider vinegar. You can get it in capsules, which is what I do...easy to take, cheap, and it works. Not like aspirin or some such...it can take weeks or a couple months...but usually for most we know taking it, usually some relief in 2 weeks anyway. Take it 2 times a day...with water of course. I would also be drinking lemon in my water...that helps the body in a great many ways!! Hope you improve and soon!!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth xoxo
I will try anything Elizabeth. Right now I am living in my own personal hell. Trying to be positive, however it is very hard. Love and hugs to you and many thanks. xoxo
DeleteAnother item that helps me with arthritic pain is taking garlic capsules (again, as I don't want to eat garlic several times a day...and this won't make the breath smell either). Here Walmart carries a brand that is inexpensive yet effective!! Another bonus is it seems to help strengthen the immune system so one does not catch sicknesses going around too.
DeleteElizabeth sending hugs and prayers xoxo
It sounds to me like this is temporary..I am sure.:)
ReplyDeleteEspecially since pain is worse i the morning.
Marie many many of us..get a sore back that can last..a sore eg..a pinched nerve..etc.. these things..well This Too Shall Pass..
Even a slight move can twist a back muscle..no need to be lifting barbells for it to happen.
It can take time..and a long time.
You write like a poet my dear!!
I hope it is temporary Monique! You should see me getting up in the morning, or trying to roll over in bed. I make noises I have never associated with those things. Its been quite horrendous. If this is permanent, then check me out now! xoxo
DeleteMy mom ha arthritis and would start every day with a hot bath to relax her aches and pains. Maybe that would help you. Mean while do what the doctor says and I hope it only gets better and not worse.
ReplyDeleteI wish we had a bath Pam. We just have a shower. But I am having hot showers and letting the water beat on my back. So far it is getting worse with each day that passes. So no luck there. :-( xoxo
DeleteHi Marie, loved reading about your autumn and seeing the beautiful pictures. It is a grey rainy day here but the weekend is expected to be much better. We had a thunder storm last night about 3:30 am. The flashes of lightening woke me up. I'm hoping those new exercises for your back will help. I love rice pudding and your sticky toffee rice pudding looks so good. Hugs, Elaine
ReplyDeleteThanks Elaine! Thunderstorms can be fun to watch from the safety of inside your house! Mom always hated them. She was totally terrified of them. Todd enjoyed the rest of the pudding for breakfast. He through it was incredibly yummy! Love and hugs. xoxo
DeleteHi Marie~
ReplyDeleteSuch a beautiful post...I love Autumn. I can remember singing, Come Little Leaves, when I was a little girl, it was my favorite Autumn song!
I'm so glad you went to the Dr. I hope that you find some relief until you can get to the physical therapist. It's so hard to try to stay still when have to, but sounds so good when you are too busy to sit still! Always in my prayers...love you tons!
Hugs and Love,
Barb
Ahh to be a child again, what I wouldn't give sometimes. Love and hugs and many thanks for the prayers Barb! xoxo
DeleteI really enjoy reading your posts of the seasons. You are a master at descriptions of what a season feels like. I too love the coziness of fall. The colors are beautiful and the handiwork of a loving God.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry that you aren't feel better and that you didn't find out more. However, that being said; I think he is doing what is normal. I'm not familiar with the pain med. What is best is a good anti-inflammatory medication, like Ibuprofen. When I had my back pain, going to the Physical Therapist was the best. It didn't take long to get pain relief. They also taught me exercises that helped and if you do them faithfully, they can help your build muscle around your spine to support it.
I will keep you in my prayers sweet friend and I am sending big hugs your way!
Unfortunately I can't take Ibuprofen because of my gastric disease, but paracetamol is helping a bit. I definitely don't want to be taking any opioids. I am hanging in until the physio appointment. Love and hugs my sweet friend, and many thanks for the prayers. xoxo
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