Peter Rabbit

But Peter who was very naughty, ran straight away to Mr McGregor's garden and squeezed under the gate. First he ate some lettuces and some French beans, and then he ate some radishes. And then, feeling rather sick, he went to look for some parsley.
~Beatrix Potter, Peter Rabbit

Canyon Walls

We drove up to the mountains today, and pretty things greeted us on each side of the canyon walls.

"Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree" ~Emily Bronte~"My sorrow, when she's here with me, thinks these dark days of autumn rain are beautiful as days can be; she loves the bare, the withered tree; she walks the sodden pasture lane" ~Robert Frost

The breath of an autumn breeze.
Faint coolness on my face in the morning air.
Tingles as I breathe in and the freshness goes down deeply.
Reaching for warmth in the form of a blanket,
Wrapped almost tightly enough to keep out the delicious chill.
Drinking sunshine in the form of liquid warmth,
Flowing through my body to almost keep out the delicious chill,
Almost but not quite.
Crunching, crisp leaves that fall from the tree,
Fluttering like butterflies,
Looking like flecks of gold as they land on the ground,
Little gifts of yellow, red, and orange.
Beautiful Autumn, I have waited for you all these days,
To come back around in your time and season.

Copyright Bookish Kind, 2008

(Autumn Prayer) I Raise My Cup To Fall

I raise my cup to fall, to blessings given one and all.
The harvest bounty laid, before eyes and hands bent in Grace.
~Bookish Kind
Do you know "Lark Rise To Candleford"? This is one of my favorite episodes, I love how they all work together to bring in the harvest. Enjoy!

Cobwebs

Cobwebs~
Summer has flown right through me,
leaving her feathers trailing behind,
like cobwebs left to thrive
in a deep dark corner.
The labyrinth must be cleared away,
now that autumn is here.
One tangle at a time,
it will be removed,
to make room for thoughts
that flitter through,
quick as lightening,
which must be caught directly,
or escape and vanish into thin air,
never to be heard of again.


Photo Credit~
Ruth Marler, "Padlock and Cobwebs"

Old Ways Are Still the Best

It's time to pull out the fall clothes, which has always been a rite of passage, a sign of a season change, growing and moving on to a new thing. There is an old song by Sweethearts of the Rodeo that says, "The old ways are still the best and I cannot deny it." So true for many things, and I think it fits with fashion, too. Shall we say Victorian! These outfits are inspired from bygone era's, but are also modern enough that you wouldn't look like you were going to a costume ball, although there is nothing wrong with a ball, I long for a ball!A pretty Ruche sweater ~simply stunning, very classic. You can go as far as you dare with your fashion, but I just love the simple classic look. Feel like you are in your rightful era, instead of born in the wrong one!

Photo credits~
Modern Victorian
Ryan Enn Hughes For The Globe and Mail
Ruche

What the Boy Took From the Giving Tree

The gnarled oak spoke volumes to me,
in it's layers of wisdom.
But I refused to hear.

For years it gave me
rest in it's shade,
strength in it's food,
warmth and shelter from life's storms.

For years, I took it for granted,
not realizing it was my sentinel.
Forgetting the truths it had told,
I made my own way,
walking away the times I needed it most.

The wise learn from the experience of others.
Others, like me, only from our own.
Sometimes lessons are learned years apart
from when they are taught,
and sometimes not at all.

The old paths and trails that bend
and weave among our thickets,
are written and paved
with both sense and sensibility.

There is discernment in layered rings and peeling bark.
In missing branches and stumps.
There is experience that comes from weathering the storms,
and learning from the beauties of life.
There is forgiveness that heals the flaws,
both those that lie on the surface, and those deep within.

Love is unconditional, and goes both ways.
I will stay close, and not venture far.
I have all I want right here.

Copyright, 2010 The Bookish Kind

~Inspired by Shel Silverstein's "The Giving Tree"

Wind Where The Rose Was

There is wind where the rose was,

Cold rain where sweet grass was,

And clouds like sheep

Stream o'er the steep

Grey skies where the lark was.


Nought warm where your hand was,

Nought gold where your hair was,

But phantom, forlorn,

Beneath the thorn,

Your ghost where your face was.


Cold wind where your voice was,

Tears, tears where my heart was,

And ever with me,

Child, ever with me,

Silence where hope was.


Walter de la Mare


Photo "Girl Beside A Stream" by Arthur Rackham

Beautiful Bird

One of my favorite lyrics and songs, by an amazing songwriter, Cindy Morgan.



Words and music by Cindy Morgan

Somebody caught you off guard
Clipped your wings and broke your heart
Told you you'll never get out of here
You believed it all these years

That's not what you were made for
'Cause you were made for the sky
That's not what you were born for
'Cause you were born to fly

Everyone knows what it feels like
When they tell you you don't measure up
You just weren't meant for the bright lights
Oh but lovely is as lovely does

And love is much deeper than beauty
And beauty much deeper than skin
There in the eyes of your mother, your father
Is where it begins to sink in

Beautiful bird
Ooh fly
Beautiful bird
Ooh fly

Even if we are all broken
We are each a reflection of God
Living with your arms wide open
Oh spreading your wings to take off

Beautiful bird
Ooh fly
Beautiful bird
Ooh fly
(Oh spread your wings beautiful bird)

All These Lovely Tokens

"By all these lovely tokens
September days are here,
With summer’s best of weather
And autumn’s best of cheer."
Helen Hunt Jackson, September, 1830-1885


September Sky, how I love thee. Let me count the ways!
Sweet September, I deliciously drink you in.


Sunsets heavy with condensation and light,
stream and fall to touch the ground.
Stormy and tempestuous, delightful change.
You are very welcome!

Break Bread With Valjean

Jean Valjean, Jane Eyre, Anne Shirley, and Michael Henchard come to mind as some of my favorite book characters:

LM Montgomery, creator of the "Anne of Green Gables" books knew what she was doing when she planted Anne Shirley on P.E.I. There is nobody like her anywhere in fiction. She introduced me to Tennyson and, "The Highwayman," she shared her love of, "white ways of delight," and, "lakes of shining waters," and is a true bosom friend.

Victor Hugo created his French masterpiece, "Les Miserables," with Valjean at the center. A man jailed for nearly twenty years for stealing a loaf of bread to feed his starving family. So intricately woven a tale, so beautiful the stories within, and it inspired my favorite musical with it's amazing lyrics and song.

"Jane Eyre," my favorite of all the Bronte sister's books is a story I can read again and again, and never tire of. Jane was my first grown-up heroine, and I've never been able to forget her story. She fueled my obsession with the Brontes. I don't care for Wuthering Heights, although I relate to Emily in many other ways, but I do enjoy Anne's writing. Branwell's waste of talent is tragically sad, but fascinating.

"The Mayor of Casterbridge," --Michael Henchard, ...a man who sells his wife and child to another man in a drunken rage, sets out to find them the next morning only to find they are gone, is another of my favorite characters. His first attempt to reconcile and make things right, then the second tragedy of his dying alone and uncared for touches my soul.I'd love to recite with Anne, break bread with Valjean, show kindness to Henchard, and walk with Jane.

Photo credits:
Lydia Halverson (Anne and Mrs Lynde)

Book Bliss

When I come across old books at a thrift store or tag sale, I calmly, (yeah right), walk over to check them out. Hoping the price on them is good, that the covers are interesting and unique--they usually are, and most importantly, it is a title I am especially interested in. This is pure bliss and I love every moment of scouring shelves and stacks for the perfect ones.
Oftentimes I find so many I am endeared to, I take them all, with barely a thought as to where they'll be stored, or displayed. Will they be mine -- or will I give them away, can I give a certain one up, will someone else love it as much as I do, etc.
Lately, I have been collecting my fair share.....and more! Sometimes, this is what "following your bliss" looks like~
Dozens of old friends sitting patiently on my desk. Each one chosen and brought home for good reasons. I am officially besotted with each and every one of them! Should you want to share in the spoils, please visit the bookshop, and take a lovely piece of history home with you.

September Song

I stir in the summer, but awaken and breathe in fall.