Welcome To November 2025

Under a partly cloudy sky, the 1st day of November has a crisp and chilly vibe that goes well with hot tea and apple cider donuts.

This is the start of Branch Season. What to do with pencil sketched landscapes all around? There is snow in the mountains, leaves on the ground and birds eager to see the feeders back out. 

I’m thinking organizing photos, changing passwords, reading about cyber security, and such is a plan worthy of being top of a November to do list.

For artists, and everyone who has ever thought or said I can’t draw, putting together an art tote is a good idea: sketchbook. pencils, sharpener, eraser and 2 pens. That is basic sketch set up to have handy whether outdoors or in a waiting room. 

Sketching trees to research the botanical names can be an interesting goal to pursue.

Pick up a yard of fabric to use for hand sewing while listening to audio books. 

Take advantage of that concentration, by learning a new language from an audio course.

November to me is the month of being comfy, cooking and creating. 

Day 304 of Week 44 October 2025

Have a Wonderful Weekend!

Spread Happiness

Cook a new recipe

Tell an apple a scary story

Write yourself a nice letter

Mail your letter to you

Read about pheasants

Talk a walk with friends

Browse hiking poles online

Autumn Photograph: Apples

Posting will resume in November 2025

Holiday Decorations

 Many years ago, a neighbor asked me to removed a 4 foot autumn scarecrow, (overalls, shirt and hat) because her husband was terminally ill, and it reminded her of death. 

I removed it within the hour. I didn’t question her or try to change her mind. The scarecrow was a  yearly display other residents enjoyed. Nobody complained to me when I took it down . Those that approached me were as sympathetic as me.

PTSD. You don’t know what might bother you or even understand why. Even if you don’t have PTSD, anyone can be bothered by something. That may be simple to other people or feel silly, but to the person triggered, the discomfort, to varying degrees, can be severe physically and mentally.

Unfortunately for me, a particular display I don’t like, that makes me uncomfortable, has been put outside where I see it every time I walk out my front door. In other places, it doesn’t bother me. 

I didn’t ask that it be removed. I asked that it be hung elsewhere, facing away from my front door, and/or not hung until 2 weeks before Halloween. It has been up since at least mid September. 

My requests have been denied, as expected. 

So I found a way to deal with it. My discomfort decreased until I arrive home from an errand today and see somebody positioned the display in such a way as to  be in my face even more than just hanging there. I sent another email to management to ask that the display be hung without gestures. 

PTSD. About the bothers. When a trigger happens, it does not go away quickly unless it can be stopped or removed. The discomfort can take a long time to subside. The episode is a painful time for a person with PTSD. It is in many ways similar to adjusting your life to avoid panic or anxiety attacks. 

If you are confronted with a situation that bothers a person, with or without PTSD, try to reach a compromise, be compassionate, and fair. Please, don’t laugh or be dismissive towards the person suffering. 

Adding. Non visual disabilities are often difficult for people to grasp because they have no evidence to help them identify, to understand. 

Non visual disability persons have to speak up for others to learn. However, that can mean explaining more about their condition than a person should need to. Reactions differ. I don’t use my PTSD condition. I believe a person voicing their discomfort should be enough. 

Laughter and anger aren’t good reactions in response to anyone voicing their discomfort. 

Day 297 of Week 43 October 2025

 

Hello to the last weekend of October 2025. Can you believe we are already at the door of November? It is wild! I'm happier about November than I was about October.

The first couple of weeks of the 10th month, I was not feeling well. News, Allergies and digestive issues put me in a slump of blahs. I kept going as tasks piled up, stuff went undone, missed opportunities blurred like a bird in the corner of my eye flying by the window. That was only a week ago, but it feels like a year ago.

Age is not the issue. Young people can have slumps of blahs as well. 

For all ages, I believe, that eating right and exercise are the keys to the city of better health. 

I do calisthenics along with a few other exercises, (when I remember to do them). This morning, I discovered the reason I have lower back strain so often is that I hold too long/tighten muscles before the release. Duh on me. 

In winter, being smart, lotion is my friend. Dry elbows bug me. They have to be smooth and well cared for. If I was on a blind date and saw a crackly old ashy elbow, then I would have to make an excuse to leave. It wouldn't really be a lie because gagging would be an issue. 

🐦🐻🍁

Last week I put out a small amount of bird seed. My deck is a bird's food source. As soon as the temperatures drop, the birds are there looking around. I wait until a hard frost or few just in case there are bears roaming around.

Have a Smooth Weekend!

Bake a pumpkin

Make homemade soup

Browse colorful scarves online

Tell a maple leaf a funny story

Draw a forest with a full Moon

Shop for a new house plant

Sing to your front door

City Leaf Peeping

  Views from the Vergennes Green 

Rainy Autumn Thoughts

The early hours out my window here in Vermont have been mostly dark with rain clouds. A few minutes ago, I saw blue sky. Now, I need to put a lamp on. Outside it is windy and raining again. Once the blustery episode passes, blue skies will return. 

The mood of the daylight darkness stirs thoughts of Edgar Allen Poe, a cozy corner on the sofa, hot chocolate, and a good book (or film). Escaping into the creative literary world is the umbrella we hold over our souls to keep our feelings from washing away from lack of attention. Care for me, whispers to us as the chill, we know is out there, makes us shiver.

I hear thunder. The moody atmosphere builds. I take another gulp of hot chocolate and glance out the window. Most of the trees are at peak while a tall maple shows only the first tinges of gold. I will miss the gray sky when the blue returns.

More thunder. The sky is clearing, lighter, less gray. Branches wiggle instead of sweep through in the air. There is a steady drip sound on the patio. The weather radar says, Hold on there just a minute. 

Autumn Photograph: Rain clouds

 The prettiest skies are in the fall when trees are full of color against a dark gray sky.

Day 290 if Week 42 October 2025

What a week of chilly this has been. Leaf peeper season is on the down side of peak for some areas in the lower elevations.

The no kings refers to America’s freedom to  not be ruled by a monarch. It is a protest of the authoritarian rule taking over American’s government. The brazen erosion of democracy in America must be addressed. 

The No Kings protest is Americans exercising their US Constitutional rights as stated in the First Amendment.  

No Kings Protest is Americans lawfully and peacefully being Americans. 

Have a No Kings Weekend!

God Bless America

Autumn Photograph: Cattle

Cattle in Autumn

 

Day 283 of Week 41 October 2025

Thinking about blogging over the years, I know many of my bright ideas haven’t shined as far as my initial enthusiasm did. Walking in the woods on a Moonless night, patches of disconnected flashlight glows are before me like dots not connecting. 

Have you ever thought of what kind of brain you have? The paths it prefers to follow? 

Scrolling through Instagram is opening my perspective of where I want my life to go, within the limits of age, income and health. 

Granted, Instagram has thousands that post excellent advice, but putting it to good use isn’t always practical or possible. 

For example, what do you do if the only people in your circle aren’t of a positive nature. Being alone has negatives that can make life worse. Expanding your circle isn’t an option you are able to pursue. 

Think then, of it this way, designate each person as an uncle, aunt or cousin. Once you get that sorted, reflect on the energy you feel knowing  your turkey dressing recipe is the best dish on the table. 

Have a Best of You Weekend!

👍

Play tag with falling leaves

Buy a huge pumpkin

Bake an apple crumble

Watch the sunrise

Tell your coffee a scary story

Browse colorful socks online

Visit a local flea market

Draw galloping horses