What could be better than a man riding in his cool, vintage pickup truck?
Perhaps, a man riding in his cool, vintage pickup truck with his best friend at his side.
“I’m not a fancy guy … I just want a pickup truck and a cool dog.” ~Larry the Cable Guy
Sometimes it is the simple, unexpected things that we encounter which fill our hearts with joy and make us thankful.
“True wisdom lies in gathering the precious things out of each day as it goes by.” ~E. S. Bouton
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The poem below holds significance as Thanksgiving approaches and November comes to an end.
November
November comes
And November goes,
With the last red berries
And the first white snows.With night coming early,
And dawn coming late.
And ice in the bucket
And frost by the gate.The fires burn
And the kettles sing.
And earth sinks to rest
Until next spring.~Clyde Watson
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Give thanks to the Lord, because he is good.
His faithful love continues forever.
~Psalm 107:1 (NIrV)
Each year I look forward to the season of the stately and charming Queen Anne’s Lace. The delicate lace-like flowers, which grow wild along our country road, beautify the landscape, attract pollinators and provide habitat for a variety of insects. Ants, attracted by the flower’s nectar, are beneficial since they help protect them from aphids.
“Not a weed but a seed that has blossomed into a flower indeed.” ~Deborah Parise
The Sandhill cranes have once again returned to a small nearby refuge. The refuge is closed to the public at this time of year, but if you drive around the surrounding land, you can often see flocks flying in the sky or eating waste corn and insects from the harvested corn fields. The cranes have been making their way back to these same farm fields for many years. What a joy to see and hear them as they winter at this stopover place.
This fond attachment to the well-known place
Whence first we started into life’s long race,
Maintains its hold with such unfailing sway,
We feel it e’en in age, and at our latest day.
~William Cowper
This past week, the sunsets were magnificent in the November sky. What a treat to see the beauty that our Creator planned for each new day.
“Art gallery? Who needs it? Look up at the swirling silver-lined clouds in the magnificent blue sky or at the silently blazing stars at midnight. How could indoor art be anymore masterfully created than God’s museum of nature?” ~ Grey Livingston
“The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.” ~Christopher McCandless
“I find it incredibly amazing how at every sunset, the sky is a different shade. No cloud is ever in the same place. Each day is a new masterpiece. A new wonder. A new memory.” ~Sanober Khan
“The sunsets are mad orange fools raging in the gloom.” ~Jack Kerouac
It was November – the month of crimson sunsets, parting birds, deep sad hymns of the sea, passionate wind-songs in the pines.” ~Lucy Maud Montgomery
“Peering from some high window, at the gold of November sunset and feeling that if day has to become night, this is a beautiful way.” ~E. E. Cummings
“They who dwell in the ends of the earth stand in awe of your signs; You make the dawn and the sunset shout for joy.” ~Psalms 65:8
Deer feeding on dropped corn in harvested cornfields shortly before sunset.
“When every day seems the same, it is because we have stopped noticing the good things that appear in our lives.” ~Paulo Coelho
We purposefully walk in the evening, a little before sunset, hoping for a breathtaking view. Quite often, we are not disappointed.
Next time a sunrise steals your breath or a meadow of flowers leaves you speechless, remain that way. Say nothing, and listen as Heaven whispers, “Do you like it? I did it just for you.” ~Max Lucado
Our daily walk takes us by several cornfields, so from spring to autumn, we enjoy watching the daily activities and changes that take place from planting time until harvest and after. To commemorate corn harvest time and the Corn/Harvest Moon which occurs during that season, I wanted to share photos of cornfields, corn stalks and corn cobs that are part of our country road walks.
How mesmerizing to observe a swarm of dragonflies congregating over a cornfield. They were beautiful to watch, and hopefully helped out with the mosquito population.
“It is only the farmer who faithfully plants seeds in the Spring, who reaps a harvest in the Autumn.” ~B. C. Forbes
It was a surprise to discover this mostly nocturnal mammal wandering along beside our country road in the late afternoon. It seemed, at first, to be oblivious to our presence as it foraged in the vegetation, using its pointy snout to root around for insects and other small creatures. Eventually, it became curious and wandered out to take a closer look at us before continuing on its way.
“Don’t just exist, wander and explore.” ~Unknown
After looking out the door at the same maple tree for many years, I have come to appreciate the various seasonal changes, lighting, and moods associated with the scene.
I enjoy watching the squirrels as they chase each other among the branches and the birds as they flit about. I’ve grown to appreciate the way, especially in autumn, that the afternoon sun lights up the leaves from different angles as it slowly sinks in the western sky.
What a joy to watch a swarm of midges gather in a sunny spot under the branches. Looking like little fairies, with their dainty wings and little legs, they seem to dance magically in the afternoon sunlight.
We can receive joy from taking note of and appreciating simple, familiar things that are a part of our daily lives.
“Joy comes to us in ordinary moments. We risk missing out when we get too busy chasing down the extraordinary.” ~Brene Brown
walking on a country road 