Wednesday, October 3, 2012

Adirondack Autumn


It is quiet here at the lake this time of year.
Everyone has closed their summer homes, cabins, cottages
 and camps for the winter.


Very soon...we will too.


The rain has kept us indoors all week.
Whenever there is a break in the steady drizzle...
I dash outside with my camera to try to capture the beauty
 of the changing colors in the mountains.


Our time spent here this past week has not been as we expected.
...not as many walks, no yard sales or flea markets.
No hikes or kayak trips or golf.


No flaming colors of autumn foliage lit by the sun.
No sun.
No family.
Only Mr. Flea and me.


Instead... it has been a softer, quieter time.


A time of thoughtful reflection.


...a time to slow down...
...and appreciate the more subtle beauty
 that this persistent cloud cover has provided.


Mr. Flea wondered if it kept raining all week...
...would we drive each other crazy?


We haven't.


Not yet.
:)


Our rainy week alone at the lake has provided opportunity
 for lots of reading, old movies snuggled under wool blankets,
 listening to music, cooking and eating
 together.
:)


...and also time to think.


...and plan...


...and pray.


Perhaps it's the time of year, the change of seasons...
the loss of my Mom...still so hard to believe...
the fact that my children are grown with lives of their own...

...that has made me pause to think about life...
...and what lies ahead.


...perhaps it's just the rain quieting down my mind.
....all in a good way...


...to help me appreciate all that I have been given.



A glimmer of understanding....
...a hope...
...a momentary release of feeling the need to try so hard...


It is not all up to me.


Learning to trust...
...to let it be...


Choosing to love...
...to just be in the moment.

Hope your week is going well.
Thanks for stopping by!

What am I grateful for today?
God's beautiful handiwork
and opportunities to listen to the quiet voice inside.

63 comments:

Sherry@The BarnQuiltStore Blog said...

L.O.V.E.L.Y.!!
♥'s
Sherry

erin's art and gardens said...

such pretty color and reflection...literally and metaphorically. like pete seeger put to music, "to everything there is a season. turn, turn, turn."
erin
xxoo

le ciel flamand said...

What a wonderful and quiet place! I just loooove these colours, and I can imagine how nice it is to spend time with your husband in this lovely place away from all hectic life...

Annelies

Mary Palumbo Collings said...

Sounds like a beautiful , quiet time... The images are breathtaking, how nice to be surrounded by all that beauty. So sorry for the loss of your Mother...
Ciao for now...

Unknown said...

Beautiful words, beautiful pictures...

Anajá Schmitz said...

O outono tem uma cor especial. Essa é uma estação dramática e própria para o romance. Imagens maravilhosas. Cada morada especial.
Aqui é primavera mas o inverno ainda não foi me bora.
Tenha uma ótima semana.

Susie~From My Home To Yours said...

Laura,
Beautiful and poignant!
Hugs,
Susie

Muffy's Marks said...

You have written the most beautiful blog, if there were a daily award, you would be today's winner!! Continue to enjoy the season!

Carol said...

Beautiful.

Smiles,

Carol

humphreycumfycushion said...

Stunningly beautiful and serene views ... moving words

Ariadne said...

Poetry in photos and words!Thank you!AriadnefromGreece!

Miss Holly said...

Oh....How I love camp....we closed up last week. it was heaven on the lake...there were times that there were no sounds at all just nature.....I crave the quiet more now that ever...
we saw a mink on the walk in front of the cabin..and I saw 2 bald eagles!!! that was a first and then a Pileated woodpecker....also a first!! enjoy !!!!

Nancy said...

Such a beautiful place and getting to enjoy it with your husband in peace and quiet. Such a blessing!! Enjoy!!!

Gina said...

First of all, I love your blog...read it all the time but don't comment very often. =/ I just had to today. Your thoughts came through so clearly today with your beautiful photos. It made me think of how I want all "sunny and beautiful" days but God has a purpose for those "cloudy ugly" days too. If I didn't have the "ugly" days I could never fully appreciate the "beautiful" days. Thanks for reminding me of that today!! :)

Lella said...

queste immagini sono bellissime: scaldano il cuore! è un posto veramente magnifico!! complimenti per le foto. un abbraccio

Pura Vida said...

what a thoughtful post with some spectacular photos! we mostly have elms and they turn brown and drop..not this kind of color..it's so pretty

Unknown said...

Stunning photos...this time of year makes the best photos! Great job.

Accepting to live in the moment is difficult but I too am at that stage of life..we struggle with it but as you know it is inevitable. It can be a wonderful place.

Thanks for the lovely post.

Debbie said...

Autumn is a beautiful time of year.... And of life.

Rob Hunt said...

What beautiful reflections both the photos and your thoughts a time for looking within. Thanks for sharing!

Kristie said...

Beautiful post with gorgeous autumn photos. Times like these help us appreciate all that we've been given. It can be a mixed bag at times but in the end it is what you make of it that counts! :)

Maison Beldecor said...

Hello dear Laura,
amazing photos, I love the leaves changing their color, it must be stunning in your wonderful landscape - and yes - sometimes the weather and the changing of the seasons let us reflect the things. Wishing you relaxed days!
Hugs Bine

oldgreymare said...

what a lovely read this morning <3

xxx
z

Andy's Attic said...

Hi Laura, your photographs are just
gorgeous. What a beautiful place you have there at the lake. It sounds like the rainy week was what you needed just now so you could slow down and reflect. It can be difficult to just "be" in the moment. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.

Jamie said...

Stunning!

I want to sit on that chair with a blanket, some music, a book and just spend the day dreaming.

Jacqueline~Cabin and Cottage said...

Breathtaking photos! So lovely. . .

Vickie @ Ranger 911 said...

This is a lovely post. Your photos of the lake vistas are gorgeous, too. They look very similar to our autumn landscapes in northern MN.

lookslikewhite said...

Beautiful photos! Thanks for sharing.
Trudy xx

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful post!!! Thank you!!!

Leslie said...

Thank you. This post was so touching and exactly what I needed - thank you Laura!!!!

louise said...

Beautiful photos and thoughtful words to go with them.

Susan McShannon-Monteith said...

Beautiful, soulful words to accompany delectable scenery.
Perhaps it is just that we are in the Autumn of our lives that makes for such reflection...
Enjoy the serenity.
Susan x

mary pernula said...

Wonderful photo's and very touching words. Hope Fall brings you good will. Hugs Mary

Blondie's Journal said...

This is such a beautiful post, Laura...the pictures and your words. I love when the summer winds down at the lake and my husband and I slow down and just enjoy each others company. As we get older, I so appreciate every moment with him even more.

XO,
Jane

Lee said...

This has to be the most beautiful post, most beautiful place, most touching words I have read in any one's blog. I absolutely love it. I feel it and am moved by the view, the picturesque location and your words. I too have lost a parent unexpectedly, three years ago, my dad and now loosing my mom to dimentia, my sons are grown and smallest soon to college, it is heartbreaking and at the same time it makes you think about what is to come. Love this. Shall pray for you my dear.
Lisa
Leeshideaway.blogspot.com

Libby said...

Hi Laura:
This is just beautiful: the images and your words... I just lost my Mother two weeks ago, while we were in France. It was expected but still, it's hard. Your pictures remind me so much of where we went in Maine every summer (my Mother had been going there for what? 80 years) and make a very fitting tribute to her. So, thank you!

Rae said...

Beautiful words. Beautiful pictures. Loved it...

......Michele @ Portlandia Vintage said...

Can I come?! Michele @ Portlandia Vintage

W. theAntiquesLovers said...

Really lovely & Special Post Laura!!! you know... nearly a Year ago we met in Venice!!!! Love xxxx

susie @ persimmon moon cottage said...

Your photos speak so eloquently of the colors of early autumn, and the reflective feeling autumn brings, as so many of your photos showed the leaf colors reflecting in the lake. Better, I think, than any written poem could ever be. A beautiful post, I'm glad I didn't miss it. Thank you for showing us.

Laurel@ChippingwithCharm said...

Beautiful post...beautiful pictures...

Le Patiné said...

I love your pictures.

Love Natasja

sandy said...

Your photos are breathtaking! I can imagine myself there through your pictures! Truly beautiful and a feast for the eyes! sandy :)

Yeta said...

Parfait si parfaitement parfait !!!
I love this post ...

manon 21 said...

Absolument magnifique Laura,j'espère revoir cette région et je pense que c'est cette saison que je choisirais.

Amicalement,
manon

Kate said...

Dear Laura
What a beautiful and lovely post to fill our hearts with. Sending you much love and hugs

xo
Kate

Nina said...

The color of the autumn leaves always look sharper on a cloudy day. I'm glad to be a northerner and witness this show each fall. Thanks for your beautiful pictures and thoughtful words.
Nina in Michigan

Joanne Bischof said...

Gorgeous photos! A slice of heaven.

June said...

...and this is why I love you Laura! Such a beautiful post, not only in the photos, but the feelings in your heart that made their way onto my pc screen.

Someday I want to visit your beautiful state and see all of this for myself!!!!
sending hugs...

Heather said...

The weather may have been wet but you still have such beautiful autumn colours around you!

Anonymous said...

Laura:
Acabo de descubrir tu blog. He llegado en buen momento y me he deleitado contemplando las fotografías del otoño que miran tus ojos y ha visto tu cámara. Le he dado varias vueltas abriendo por aquí y cerrando por allí. He llegado hasta este mundo —encantado y mágico de las cosas pequeñas y hermosas—, desde el blog de Tere Serna, “L’entrepôt”, también mágico.
La traducción de «google» ha sido suficiente para sentirme cómodo en esta parte de tu mundo. Te felicito y volveré.
Saludos,
Cecilio

Vintage Gal said...

Laura ~ Sometimes the Lord MAKES us stop and be still and listen. You sound very content and comfortable in the place that you are now at. The Lord is good. Your pictures are just beautiful. Such a beautiful place painted with God's own hand.
Have a wonderful day

Privet and Holly said...

Laura, your week
sounds absolutely
idyllic....In four years
we will be empty
nesters and I believe
this time is truly one
of reflection and
gratitude. Love, love
your beautiful pics!

xo Suzanne

elizabeth said...

A stunningly lovely post. I lost my mama two years ago, and just this morning had a teary moment. I miss her.

Sandi~A Cottage Muse said...

Absolutely beautiful and breathtaking!

Woodside Park said...

Oh my goodness, Laura! Absolutely beautiful and so serene. Spectacular photos, once again. My mother's health is deteriorating, and it scares me. Take care, Loi

Unknown said...

Very nice post. Wonderful to read. Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

Very nice post. Wonderful to read. Thanks for sharing.

JunkStuffTreasures said...

Your beautiful pictures were a treat to see! What a naturally beautiful area.

Marissa said...

Breath-taking!!!

Desires of the Heart said...

What a beautiful post, the pictures and the words!! Yes, this time of year almost demands that we pay attention to the more important things in life, the beauty of Fall is unescapable and points to the Creator at every vision of it. I could really identify with your thoughts, I too lost my Mom this summer and after all the business of emtying her home and getting it ready for market, I am now able to really think about what I have lost. I miss her more than I thought I would I guess. She is at home and I would not wish her back, but her passing has surely solidified many things in my life about living for today, family, and staying close to the Father through it all. Thanks for your post, love you blog. Blessings to you, Linda

Michelle Palmer said...

LOVE all of your posts~ this one is just extra special <3
Hugs to you

deb mills said...

thanks for sharing your stunning photographs and your thoughts. sounds like a wonderful week to me.

Cindy said...

I am catching up on your blog. This post touched my heart. So insightful and sweet. Your photos are beautiful (as usual). Thank your for making me stop and think about my life and where I want it to go...lovely post..