In November

"In November, the earth is growing quiet.  It is making its bed, a winter bed for flowers and small creatures.  In November the trees are standing all sticks and bones without their leaves, how lovely they are, spreading their arms like dancers.  They know it is time to be still."  from In November by Cynthia Rylant

I love the way the that everything is quieter in November, the way all the living things begin to settle down and be still.  I love the way the evening sun gives everything a tranquil glow and makes the leaves blaze a bright orange color before they fade and drift away.  The leaves are mostly gone already.  

In all our previous years here, the autumn colors have lasted for weeks.  This has been the first autumn on the farm in which I could say the autumn was just here and gone so quickly we barely had time enough to enjoy it.

I knew it was coming, that it was not if but when we would have a rather underwhelming autumn and this is the year.  That's the way of nature, I suppose.  It's unpredictable which is why we wait with such anticipation every season of every year.  We all want to know what this funny old world is going to do next.

Even when I am slightly underwhelmed, I am still not disappointed.  There is so much wonder in it all that I love the good and the bad, and truly I think there is something good even when it's not so spectacular and obvious.  I appreciate the times I have to slow down and take a careful look around me to find the little pockets of beauty and awe.  They're always there if you look.

Life has been so very different this year compared to every other that I've ever known on this earth that it stands to reason that even nature is a bit off her game or at least doing a little improvising.  We're all just taking things in stride and figuring it all out as we go after all.

But, it's still November, for a few more days anyway, even if the leaves have already gone to bed.  So, I am going to keep all my autumn hues and even my jack-o-lantern bag a little while longer.  As long as possible actually.  I intend to be thoroughly tired of pumpkins and cinnamon, and cloves, and anything with a rusty tone before I pack everything away for next year and settle in for winter.

Shopping Info:  Top from The Other Sparrows, Skirt from Unique Vintage, Pumpkin Bag from: SHEIN, Heels from ModCloth