Thursday, November 17, 2011

Feels like November

I love the routine and the structure of my days and I’m so grateful for it. This morning was like many others – my weekday morning routine getting ready for work, packing my lunch, having my husband walk me to the car and then getting a big hug and kiss goodbye from him.

This morning however, as we were walking out the door we were greeted by fog - and even more special were thousands upon thousands of migrating birds.

I had to run back inside to get the camera.


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My husband gets up early, and I noticed he already had some wash hung on the line.


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We stood together in the mild November weather and watched the skies. The birds just kept coming and coming.


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The Birds

are heading south, pulled
by a compass in the genes.
They are not fooled
by this odd November summer,
though we stand in our doorways
wearing cotton dresses.
We are watching them
as they swoop and gather—
the shadow of wings
falls over the heart.
When they rustle among
the empty branches, the trees
must think their lost leaves
have come back.
The birds are heading south,
instinct is the oldest story.
They fly over their doubles,
the mute weathervanes,
teaching all of us
with their tailfeathers
the true north.

by Linda Pastan


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I thought it was beautiful.

And after one last kiss goodbye, I headed down the driveway to work.

I wave my arm out the window until my husband can’t see me anymore. It hurts to leave him sometimes, but he knows that I have to. Sometimes I come home at lunch to surprise him, like I did today.

He really needed it today, and I’m glad that I made the effort.

: : :

The temperature dropped considerably this afternoon, and the wind picked up a bit. To go outside now, I would need a warm coat, hat and gloves. Now it feels like November!

Thanks for taking the time today to stop by my little corner of the world. It was nice to see you here.

Until tomorrow, my friends ~

123 Signature

57 comments:

Gone Country said...

I'm so glad you ran back in to get your camera... great shots! How cool to see so many birds migrating!

It doesn't feel like November here. It was in the high 80's yesterday, ugh. It's supposed to be cooling down a bit this weekend, but I doubt I'll need a coat!

Have a great weekend!

Peppermint Ph.D. said...

Nature is incredibly astounding sometimes, isn't it?? We just have to stop long enough to notice...

Anonymous said...

A second goodbye kiss is always a fine thing in the morning. He must miss you immensely. I'm so glad he's doing well.

Denise at Autumn Sky said...

What a beautiful sentimental post. I LOVE that poem!

It's so good to take time to make the moments count.

Hilary said...

I thought you were going to say that the laundry on the line got blitzed by all those birds.
That was sweet of you to go home for lunch. You are a nice lady.

JaneK said...

wonderfully eerie/mysterious shots.... especially that last one; i love reading about the connection you and your husband have....not all marriages have that....

JC said...

What a fabulous moment to enjoy together !!!

Kerri Farley said...

What a sweet post!

tina said...

funny how fog can actually help you see better sometimes.

Ashley Sisk said...

How amazing - I've never seen anything like that!

Donna S. said...

Well the weekend is almost here, hopefully you will have more time to spend together (& it will be good).

Deb said...

that is a lot of birds...it is cooler in Texas today also...we seem to be going back and forth from a/c to heat quite often this fall....

Country Gal said...

Fantastic photos . I am glad all is going well still for you guys. Have a wonderful day !

becky up the hill said...

I grew up near Grey Lodge in Northern, California, so we always had lots of birds...now I live in the Sierra's, not so much. The rare flock of geese, swans or ducks that do fly over are so heartening.

RURAL said...

You live in a land with magical scenery, and the eye to view it.

What beauty to find as you step out your door.

Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams

Christie - Fine Lines said...

What spectacular shots. I have never seen that many birds in one place before. Thanks for sharing:)

Cloudia said...

magical birds; LIFE flying by!

Love the shape of your life and how you enjoy it. Funny, tomorrow I post about expatriate November in the dub-tropics. . . you are filling a need in my heart. . . cool


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mudmaven said...

Such lovely photos - so glad that you were awake and aware and willing to go back in to get your camera so that we could all enjoy the beauty. I agree - 2nd goodbye kisses are always good and so are surprise trips home for lunch! Thanks for that reminder and the absolutely lovely poem too. ~chris

bv said...

kate, my husband and i have a hard time parting...as with you two, we are each other support. when we are all in our places all is right...when i read this post, i had great emotion wave over me. in this life we are given great gifts....reasons to really see and appreciate the beauties before us.
out here is calif we also are seeing the trip south and i love the sight and sound.
take care
bv...so wish i had your skill...with pics and words.

bv said...

kate, my husband and i have a hard time parting...as with you two, we are each other support. when we are all in our places all is right...when i read this post, i had great emotion wave over me. in this life we are given great gifts....reasons to really see and appreciate the beauties before us.
out here is calif we also are seeing the trip south and i love the sight and sound.
take care
bv...so wish i had your skill...with pics and words.

bv said...

opps....xo

(GBS) NewsFromTheHill said...

What a lovely poem!
I thought that your DH was going to have to redo that laundry thanks to some bird poops!
But poop or not, it was an awesome sight. Glad you got to share it with the one you love!

Hilary said...

What a beautiful gift the morning gave to the two of you. A lovely moment to share. And I'm glad you shard it with us, too. Thanks for that. Beautiful photos.

spindrift,maine said...

Your post is so lovely, Kate! Thank you for sharing it. I love to hear about you and your husband and your connection. You are so lucky to have each other. Check out this YouTube video of a flock of European starlings. It went viral last week, but if you didn't see it, you will be amazed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEgSlRarcC8

barbara l. hale said...

Wonderful post. Terrific photos of the migrating birds and I love the poem.

Ruth Andre said...

Love, love, love these photos and your special words.

GailO said...

I know some people are threatened by large swarms of birds but I am just thrilled to see them...it is exciting! I don't often get to see them like this though! Wonderful photos Kate...and I love the poem.

GailO said...

I am not sure which blog I saw this on recently but I couldn't stop watching it and listening to it...mesmerising!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vhE8ScWe7w&feature=related

Savannah, Chloe, & Tyler said...

What beautiful shots of the birds. That last foggy shot is my favorite. I love that one. Kisses in the morning, awww.

Bluebird49 said...

Kate--you're an absolutely beautiful soul. Have a nice weekend--a quiet, love-filled weekend.

The Weaver of Grass said...

Wonderful bird photos Kate - glad your husband is up and about. Every day is precious, as I am sure you both know. There is nothing like serious illness for bringing that home - somehow the birds add to this feeling but I can't explain how.

Nurse Nancy said...

Love the shots and am glad that all is steady with your husband.

Daryl said...

I hope none of those birds dropped any 'good luck' on you, A or the wash ..

This morning it was the warm 3/4 coat/jacket, scarf and red fingerless gloves (hey, if there's a photo op on the way to the subway I need to be prepared!)

The JR said...

Good pictures. Now that you mention it, I don't remember seeing the big flocks yet.

Cait O'Connor said...

Beautiful:
The pics
The words
and the sentiments you shared.
The poem is so appropriate and is also beautiful too.

Thank you.

thotlady said...

It was so nice to drop by and see your photos and lovely poem.

I hope you and your husband have only good days.

Bless you, and say hi to George for me.

beth said...

you are both so blessed to have a morning routine together.....

and oh those birds....i want to fly with them....for just a day.....xo

linda said...

Lovely, Kate. You bring hope to my heart. Looking forward to the birds returning in the spring, and everything between then and now.

Lili said...

This was a very comforting post Kate. I loved hearing about your day. The way you described everything captured so well your beautiful sense of wonder and heart felt gratitude. xoxo ~Lili

mrs mediocrity said...

wow. this post totally brought tears to my eyes, i love that poem, i love the photos, i love that you came home for lunch to surprise him.
i love the love you have in your heart.
xoxo

d smith kaich jones said...

here via mrs. mediocrity, who said "go, read". and oh my. she knows me well. i love it all and that poem just stopped my breathing for a second or two. incredible. amazing.

Georgianna said...

A-mazing photos! Amazing! I'm so in love with that third one.

And I'm so happy for you to be able to come home as a surprise and give a lift to your husband's day.

I love that you wave until you are out of sight.

xo

tj said...

...This is awesome. But then again, you're awesome. ;o)

...Blessings

EliSa said...

Wow, simply beautiful pictures. And moments.
Have a great day...

Reena said...

We're finally home and now catching up! I think this is one of my favorite posts you have done. So touching and that poem is awesome! The way you processed the photos are awesome which adds to the love in this post.

Unknown said...

beautiful images Kate!.....in the moment, I see.....smiles.

alphabet soup said...

Just look at all those birds!! And the washing pegged on the line - we haven't seen your famous pegs in ages.....

There's no doubt fog lends atmosphere to those photos and the poem was simply beautiful.

I'm always happy to stop by your corner of the world and see what's new.

Ms Soup

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

LOVE that first image. Haunting!...

.. and the scene as you leave for work, a simle ritual - love lives here.

Marcie said...

Oh..I love when the birds fill the sky like that. Wonderful images!

Mary said...

The images are so beautiful, all by themselves, but the words as well... YOU are truly beautiful, my friend. xoxo

Anonymous said...

Stunning photos and a beautiful essay...my thanks. :)

Donalyn said...

I love routines like yours. My husband has a short [we hope!] layoff right now, and it is really nice to have him come in for lunch and nice knowing he is right around somewhere close by. It gives me hope that when he retires in two years, I won't want to kill him in a week, like so many of my friends have claimed about their husbands.

you asked about camera apps a few posts down- I didn't read all of the comments, so not sure if anyone mentioned my favorites;
Pixl-o-matic
PhotoBooth [kids love this one]
Retro Camera
Little Photo

I have a ridiculous number of photo apps on my droid, which doesn't surprise you probably.

Hope you have a blessed Thanksgiving :)

Mental P Mama said...

You have no idea how much comfort I take from these posts. So much comfort. And all is good.

Angela @ Cottage Magpie said...

You have probably already seen this, but this is another video of starlings that is just stunningly beautiful! It's called Murmuration and I saw it on someone's blog last week:

http://vimeo.com/31158841

~Angela~

Carolynn Anctil said...

So glad to hear things are good in your little corner of the world. I really love the photo of the clothes on the line and the fog-filled driveway is beautiful too.

Maria said...

You sure have a lot of beautiful photos up. But those birds! How wonderful. I was on a prairie hike a little over a month ago and up above us were a whole bunch of dragonflies on the move. I learned that birds aren't the only things that migrate south to warmer temperatures. Dragonflies do too. Never knew that. :-)

Unknown said...

This just moved me to tears.
The birds, the poem, the love,

I have missed you.