November Daybook

The true secret of happiness lies in taking a genuine interest in all details of daily life.

William Morris

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Hello Friend,

Come in, come in! How nice of you to stop by.

Well, here we are in mid November. I almost can’t believe it, but when I look back to all the happenings in the last several months, there should be no reason why I wouldn’t believe it.

We’re having uncommonly good weather. The snow of a couple weeks ago is gone and we’re not taking any of these days for granted, but it’s still a little chilly so let’s sit here by the fire. This big easy chair is the perfect size to tuck your feet up under you, and the burgundy wing chair is a hug. Please help yourself to tea or coffee. It’s there on the kitchen island, along with cream, sugar, and honey. And, for this cozy day, Mom’s chocolate chip squares.

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Today

Looking out my window …

I see evergreens, tall and confident, carrying the wisdom of years. What secrets they could tell of the changes on this little bit of land! I see poplar and trembling aspen trees. They are bare of leaves now, but oh! I do love those trees in winter. In the morning sunrise their white bark glows pale pink, reminding me that beauty remains despite change. It just looks different.

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Beauty, wherever we find it, is always telling us the story of our healing.

Sarah Clarkson

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I am wearing …

A comfortable print dress with tiny white, orange, and teal flowers on a brown background, brown tights, and sparkly earrings.

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One of my new favourite things …

Yesterday I stopped in at a garden centre, which is decked out for Christmas this time of year. It was lovely to walk in through the big rustic doors, hear Christmas music playing, and realize the season is almost upon us! I walked up and down the boardwalk aisles among displays of poinsettias in red and pink and white, evergreen boughs (real and almost real), tropical plants, and Christmassy things like wooden nature ornaments, snowmen, twinkly lights, candlesticks of all sizes, and so much more. It was a pleasant thirty-minute reprieve in my day. I couldn’t resist these mugs. They look like they’re wearing sweaters! And I get a secret thrill every time I use them.

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I am creating …

Well, I created a children’s story years ago that I never sent anywhere, but this summer I entered it in a contest and it won first place. Part of the prize is publication and first serial rights in FellowScript magazine. So my story, Willard, will be in that magazine this month. After that, I can post or link the story here if people are interested.

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In my garden …

I’ve planted tulip and hyacinth bulbs in pots. Last year I planted so many bulbs in our garden bed at the corner of our property and they never came up. The voles got them all – a common tale around these parts, if you talk to the community. So this year I’m playing it safe – not so many bulbs, and planted in pots instead of in the ground. I’m treating it as an experiment. That way if it doesn’t work out, I won’t be disappointed. But I know I won’t be able to stop the anticipation once Spring rolls around.

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I am reading …

All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot – out loud, after suppers, to Mom, Dad, and The Cowboy. Because all three of them grew up on farms, they can relate to these true animal stories excellently told by a veterinarian in 1930’s Yorkshire. We are all getting so many chuckles out of it.

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I’ve been watching …

Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones. So interesting and so uplifting. And, the biggest secret of all is that it’s not just about what you eat or how much exercise you get. Look for the trailer on Youtube.

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I am listening to …

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I am learning …

That there are all kinds of happinesses. Delight and beauty can be found in the smallest of things, like sweater mugs or a cozy chair by the fire; waiting for tulip bulbs to grow or opening big rustic doors and hearing Christmas music for the first time this year. It might take a moment to remind ourselves that it’s there. We only have to open our hearts.

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Hoping to live days of greater happiness, I forget that days of less happiness are passing by.

Elizabeth Bishop

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Closing Notes …

Thank you for dropping in today, I love your visits. Stay safe out there, and see you next time. Oh! And one more thing …

Post Script …

It’s come to my attention from one of you visitors that you haven’t seen a photo of our finished home. The last you saw of it was here almost two years ago, when I described the history of the land and the desire for our home to be sanctuary for all who enter. So here’s where we are today.

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Feature Image by Ralf Kunze from Pixabay