“I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as the autumnal sunshine by staying in the house.” — Nathaniel Hawthorne
“There is a muscular energy in sunlight corresponding to the spiritual energy of the wind.” — Annie Dillard
Winter arrived just before Halloween in Manitoba this year. But in 2016, fall lingered long into November before giving way to the cold and snow. Photo memories of November 26th took me back to that incredibly gorgeous day when the sun called.
Cloud-cover had reigned for over a week and I was in sunshine withdrawal. So as I sat having my Saturday morning coffee, watching the sky brighten to the east through the trees, I knew my plans for the day would change. Even my second cup of coffee would have to wait.
I didn’t hesitate to set aside my long ‘to-do’ list. The dog and I headed out into the crisp, quiet morning air and walked to the end of our lane to catch those first beautiful rays of sun. This day was meant to be embraced and enjoyed — outside, not in the house.
“The poetry of the earth is never dead.” – John Keats
As we strolled though the yard, I was reminded why I am always reluctant to pull out my flowers once they are past their prime. Their beauty evolves with an elegant melancholy as the growing season draws to an end.
Everything glistened and seemed to come to life as the morning sun glinted off the light dusting of frost which had ‘painted’ the landscape overnight.
But as the temperature rose, the frost dissipated. The winds were calm and the sky oh so blue! Country roads were calling and I wasn’t about to decline the offer of taking in the beauty right out my backdoor.
Willow branches were vibrant against the bright blue sky.
Wild rosehips added a punch of colour in the ditches.
Nature’s art is everywhere! A milkweed seed-head looking rather duck-like!
Who doesn’t love a lone tree in the middle of the prairie?
A lone Hawthorne tree on the edge of our old cattle pasture. Can you tell the prevailing winds are from the west? And is it just me or does the outline of the branches appear to form a heart?
‘Hay’, check out that sky!
My trusty side-kick, game to wander through the old pasture.
Sunset through the trees along our lane.
That sunny Saturday ended up being our final farewell to fall last year. A balmy, unseasonal +8 Celsius day that ended as striking and beautiful as it started. A day I’m grateful I stopped to enjoy. A day which reminds me to always listen when the sun calls…
Sandi Knight 
Well done, Sandi. I enjoyed seeing your day through your eyes.
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