November Reflections

What is it about November?

November just seems to bring out the strange melancholy in me.  I was up north at the cabin with Maggie's brother Steve this weekend for some chores and the final shut-down. We had a great time together.

When evening rolled around we went down to the lake, that's when the light began to fade, and the chill ran up my back.  I don't mind too much, in fact I kind of like it.  The reflections on the water echoed our thoughts of winter's approach.

In the Garden

In the Garden

It’s been a great summer for exploring gardens.  For various 

reasons, our own garden has gone more than a little bit wild 

this year; but one thing I’ve noticed is that even in an untended 

garden, the love that went into the original sewing and planting 

isn’t difficult to discern.

This past weekend we returned from a family vacation, visiting 

with my parents in Asheville, North Carolina.  One of the moments 

I enjoyed most was sitting on their back patio watching the edge 

of evening glide silently across the yard.  Afterward, I stood up to 

take a closer look at the flowers growing in the cool stillness of 

their water garden.  I brought the memory home in this photograph.

~ Hal

The Pond Out Front

The Pond Out Front

The children and I went down to North Carolina to visit my parents 

this week. There was something of a bittersweet quality to trip for 

me because this coming fall they are moving from their mountain 

home in Cashiers to Asheville.

We did all of our favorite things: played golf and tennis, swam in 

the Chattooga River, talked to the llamas down the road, went to 

bluegrass church service, made a campfire and ate s'mores. The time 

went too quickly.

We spent Sunday afternoon in Asheville, and fortunately the kids 

gave the new place their seal of approval. So... next time we visit, 

we'll start a brand new chapter.

~ Hal