Late November

On By Inese, visual artist, writer and life sciences bloggerIn happiness, life, nature, poem, poetry, writing

The rusty gold of leaves and rushing winds

Majestic clouds race in the brilliant blue.

Late November. Still sparkling, but

The winter will erase the colors.

The human nature –

It wants to hold, to keep, stick tight,

To grab, to hug and have it safe

And never say good-bye or part.

Yet, by design it all is

Loosing, letting go, releasing,

Forgetting, giving up and separating,

And making space.

Late November. I’m picking up one leaf.

All glory of the fading colors in just one maple leaf.

I place it in a book. I am so human.

I know I can’t, but I am trying to preserve the beauty.

Maple leaves

My Life School blog was never only about gardening, green living and growing our own food. I actually started it to publish my writing, life philosophy and stories about surviving aging in a great way, for instance, never gaining extra weight, maintaining bright and good memory and doing things in spite of some health conditions which crawl upon us after 60.

I paint beautiful and light-filled art because my life has been very difficult and painful at some stages back in Europe. That’s to keep everything in balance.

I write thought-provoking and visually-perceivable poems and reminiscent stories since I’ve spent almost 50 years in Europe and the recent 17 years in Canada. Life was very different back in Europe from what it is here in Canada. My articles frequently compare many sensitive areas of both lifestyles.

Red leaves

I dealt with medical research for 4 decades, and these discoveries, too, find their way into this blog. Finally, my strength is visual art and I’m trying to always publish great photos. You can find all of these specific areas if you look at the menu and choose one particular item.

Thanks for reading and I hope you’re having a good transition into late fall and winter.

16 thoughts on “Late November”

  1. Wonderful!!!! I especially appreciate your last lines:

    “I place it in a book. I am so human.
    I know I can’t, but I am trying to preserve the beauty.”

    You have captured the poignancy of impermanence and confirm that change is around us. Transitions occur with a relentless certainty. How we long to stop time! And that is what you do so well, in your paintings, Inese. Your crystallize moments.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Well, you described what I felt so well.
      I have plenty of time to think since when I am painting I also do a lot of thinking. This late November period, it felt somewhat very sad and at the same time, so absurdly and breathtakingly beautiful. The very last leaves, strong sunshine and bitter, cold wind which took everything up in the air. And I, just standing in the middle of this all with the feeling of time running away.
      Thank you very much for this great comment!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  5. The photos and writing are beautiful, Inese. I am glad you share what you have learned over the years. Thank you!

    We are now into the colder and wetter time of late autumn. The two farmers’ markets I shop at are over for the season, just a couple of holiday markets left in December, and I will pick up squash and root vegetables. The grass is emerald green again, maybe an occasional dandelion blooms in a protected spot. I still have some onions in the garden I need to harvest, and work to do out there. The birds are back, mostly the smaller seed eaters, and t hose that will feed one fallen apples.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Thanks Lavinia!
      Well, it seems it’s much warmer where you are. I’d love that!
      In general, Christmas time is a tough period for me. Nothing really happens, and I’m always glad when it’s over. It used to be my favorite time back in Europe, but here, it’s such commercialization, and meanwhile, a tiny business cannot sell anything at all. So, it becomes the time with least income, too.
      I’m really waiting for spring already, looking through the window and seeing trees with the first buds. It’s just about 120 grey days, and then, everything restarts.
      I do envy people who can stay in no-winter areas during the winter. Due to winter, I’ve lost many years of active life. I’m a bad case of SAD which you have probably heard about: the seasonal affective disorder. It’s strange, but I believe, I always was this way, even in early childhood. The good thing is while I don’t feel like doing anything and feel totally depleted, tired and exhausted, here and there I paint, but mostly, I read. That doesn’t take any extra energy.
      You are doing a great job on your farm, and with music, too. In my opinion, that’s the simple life at its best.
      Have good fall and winter seasons! I suppose, it’s American Thanksgiving, so happy Thanksgiving to you! We had ours way back when.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. In winter, I find it is easier to get needed sleep and welcome the shorter days and rejuvenation time for body and soul. Yes, the simple life is a good life for me, and music is a part of that. I sometimes think of old winter traditions and how things were done way back when. My parents were 47 and 50 years old when I was born, so I grew up listening to those stories.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. While there’s nothing much to do outdoors where we are, I prefer, too, sleeping longer, or all winter. I love waking up and everything is in bloom. LOL.
        My parents lived very long life, they were born a bit after the beginning of 20th century. I was lucky to experience those old times because nothing much had changed in the countryside of Latvia by 50-s and 60-s of the previous century, except, Latvia was within the USSR and it took 50 years to reestablish the independent Latvian Republic.
        My mind totally disagrees with the nowadays Christmas in Canada. Neighbors have all outdoor decorations up already, I believe lots of people have decorated artificial trees set up, too. So, it’s like Christmas lasts for at least 2 months here. It’s nice to see the lights and colors in the darkness, but anyway, it’s going overboard and way out of line.
        Rejuvenating is great. It’s a good time to take a break.
        Well, I have to get back to work, and not feeling that great, but have to.
        All the best!

        Liked by 1 person

  6. theburningheart

    I guess we old folks have a slight, or very different memories of Christmas season’s, with different traditions, according to the place of the World you come from, but as the World keeps turning, smaller, and smaller by the day, through instant communication, similitude will be the final shape of Christmas, and being merchants favorite time of the year, well they seem to start way ahead of time!
    Now the World economy depending on a good Christmas to have a “Happy new year!”

    So much for a Religious tradition, now its just a boost to the economy, and merchants pockets, and the hell with the old meaning of Christmas!

    Could you believe, as a small child we didn’t have Christmas trees at home, but scenes of the Nativity, and we did not even knew about old fat, red Santa bringing his snow sleigh pulled by reindeer, and down the chimneys presents for the good behaved children, not the naughty. Sure Christmas presents were given, and as children we were told the three Magi brought them, not Santa, but that was until January 6th and people over here eat Tamales, instead of turkey and drink atole, (a hot drrink made with masa from corn, sweetened) and fruit punch with piquete (alcohol) on Christmas and New year, we still do, but Santa has taken over, and extended the whole season for weeks!🤷‍♂️🤣🤦‍♂️

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. We also didn’t have Santa. Well, in Soviet Union, Christmas was prohibited.
      I don’t think I ever received any gifts. Later in life, to birthdays, when I was already like 40 or something.
      It’s good to celebrate Christmas as the recognition of fact and something great which stands way above gifts.
      Yes, we all have very distinct memories. Well, I’m not even celebrating birthdays either. What’s the point when we are past 60?
      Nowadays, it’s like really not a genuine Christmas or other celebration. It’s just like buy and commercials all the time and everywhere. It is good to be different and not feel sorry for celebrations we missed.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

Your comments and thoughts are very welcome

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.