The beautiful fruits of autumn

Close-up of single ball fungus

I’ve watched this particular fungus for weeks and am surprised by its longevity. It seems to be just out of harm’s way… FRUITS OF AUTUMN Nestled on a mossy bed,sheltered by overhanging roots,this fungus is not alone. No nibbling feast,nor landing for feet,slow, undisturbed growth. Autumn’s abundance andthreads of connection.This fungus is not alone. + … Read more

Entering into the fall of autumn

View through the trees to the lake - some still in leaf and others bare

The fall of autumn has been a gentle affair. Shades of yellow through to rich chestnut browns have made their gradual progression over a longer arc than usual. Allowing us to get used to the skeleton exposure of trees without the shock of nakedness. And what about us? Are we yielding to the draw of … Read more

Seeing possibilities in unexpected places

seeing-possibilities-in-unexpected-places

This autumn, it’s been the beech trees. Their leaves endured the longest and have artfully framed the changing colours and textures of the valley. So I probably wouldn’t have noticed this beautiful fern had the light not caught the leaves above. Yet sometimes, we need to let our gaze wander from the familiar, expected path … Read more

On being open to possibilities

on-being-open-to-possibilities

I’m not sure how open we can be if our minds are full and our diary is back to back. Possibilities, by their nature, are things that are not yet. They have an element of imagination. And hope weaves through them like a thread of gold which we only see in a particular light. The … Read more

Appreciating the little signs of life

appreciating-the-little-signs-of-life

Even in the deepening fall, when the leaves are shed, and vegetation is dying back, there is life. It just takes a little more to see it there. And when the darkness feels like it is closing in, remember that hope is not extinguished. A spark remains. RUMOURS OF LIGHT The hope that’s lingeringbeneath the … Read more

Lines for autumn

lines-for-autumn

I’ve been waiting to share these delightful few lines from Gideon Heugh for a while. And now is the time. Enjoy the smile. LINES FOR AUTUMN Leaves make their golden turnunhurried,then in cooler airwaltz to the damp groundand in sweet-scented crowdmake happinessfor wellington boots. + Gideon Heugh, from Devastating Beauty, 2018

Life at the heart of autumn

life-at-the-heart-of-autumn

In the slanting sunlight, I spied one of our bumper acorns. Plump and free of its cup, it was ready for germination and sprouting in the moist soil. This is life in its unfolding, doing what it does in season. So what about us? Where are we opening ourselves to this next stage of life? … Read more

On the riotous celebration of autumn

on-the-riotous-celebration-of-autumn

No season is as lush as autumn. What colours and what abundance! We couldn’t even dream it up if we tried. And when the sun shines, there is a riot of richness at every turn. We feast on the sights and smells, knowing that this harvest will replenish our souls for the months ahead.