October 7, 2013

“I cannot endure to waste anything so precious as autumnal sunshine by staying in the house.” ― Nathaniel Hawthorne, The American Notebooks


Nate knew what he was talking about...
there should be no wasting of these days of autumn.


The summer heat has come to an end and the air feels fresher, lighter and 
without the weight that Texas summers bring.


While friends all over the northern parts of our country are saddened 
by the falling of the leaves and it's implication that cold and wintry days are fast approaching,
it is our happiest time here in the South.


It's our first opportunity to fling open the windows, refresh our homes 
and refresh our spirits after the long months of intense heat.


Time for enjoying the shade and the new colors of autumn.


We should follow the example of our fur babies and enjoy this time.


It's not the time to let panic grab you by the throat
with all the pressure to start shopping for the holidays and 
do, do, do
until you are no longer refreshed by the season...


but exhausted and depleted.

You will have missed this opportunity to slow down and 
be a part of the wonder that surrounds you.


Stop running and ask yourself what it is that you are running to.
When you reach the end of your time here on earth,
did you live?
Existing and living aren't the same thing.
Go outside and put your feet in the cool grass.
Look up at the sky.
Put your hands in the dirt.
Stop chasing the perfect number...the number that makes it enough.

Don't you realize that you are already there?


These last three photos were taken seven years ago.
If you've been reading my blog for any length of time, you'll know that this is 
my little friend next door, Rachael.


The child that influenced me so and changed me forever with her phrase
"nothing will happen."
These photos are from one of our play days.
I wouldn't trade them for anything.
I can't imagine my life without this day.
We took hundreds of pictures- each one capturing a time in her sweet life
when she hadn't become insecure or worried that she didn't look perfect.
She was just herself...
a happy, chattering, running, piano playing little bundle of joy.

(She also didn't appreciate an up close and personal Corgi kiss.
Virgil passed over the Rainbow Bridge not long after this, 
but he sure did get some smooches in before the end.)


Go play.  Today.  Just go play.




Linking up with:


22 comments :

  1. my sister wholeheartedly agrees with nathaniel. she's visiting from wis and drinking up this fine texas weather.

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  2. Oh Tina! Where were you when I was growing up??? What a special friend you are! Your pictures are fabulous and I love the Texas take on pumpkins. The swimming pool is indeed the perfect space for a pumpkin.

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  3. This truly is such a beautiful time of year in Texas. We still have green leaves and green grass, but the temperature is so much cooler than it was just a few weeks ago. Yesterday was Grandson #1's birthday party, and the weather couldn't have been more perfect. :)

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  4. LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this post :) Sums up why I have not been blogging because we have been enjoying the sunshine (or rain, or thunder or wind storm...just enjoying it all)

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  5. Wonderful shots! Love your pumpkin shots and the shot of your little girl are just priceless

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  6. Oh Tina the above comment is so right you are a wonderful friend and I think that little girl thinks of those moments just as much as you do. The photos are beautiful. B

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  7. Love this Tina! You are so right. You have to live life! There is so much of this world to see and so many little things taken for granted.

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  8. Such a beautiful and wise post, Tina! I love your take on fall, and I love the words you've shared. It is so important to live and not try to hop over all the moments in our day, trying to get somewhere else. Love your fur babies, too. And the photos of your little friend are precious. I'm sure you have had a great influence on her, too. :-)

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  9. Thank you for the reminder, sometimes it need it.

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  10. Fantastic post! I really needed it :)
    Plus your yard and fur babies look great!
    Susan

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  11. Tina-What a great post. You are right on the money here, lady! It is hard for me to just SLOW down and take it easy and enjoy the moment unless the kids are here...then I see the world through their eyes. Thanks for this wonderful post.

    That little girl is just adorable. How wonderful for you to have had that relationship with that sweet girl. xo Diana

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  12. Great post, and those pumpkins are absolutely perfect!! I miss Texas in the spring, when the grass is already green and there is still snow on the ground here!!

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  13. Wonderful post, Tina! It's so darn easy to get caught up in the agendas we create for ourselves that we forget how to have fun. Enjoy your open windows!

    Love the photos!

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  14. Very nice! Enjoy your fall and those cute pigs too:@)

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  15. What a beautiful post Tina! I love the pictures of your dogs and your little friend. I will never forget that it was you and your blog that taught me those life altering words, "Nothing Will Happen". Thank you my friend!

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  16. Tina,
    Beautiful post in every single way! Yep, the Texas weather is amazing right now and we have windows open and enjoying our 7 month old grandbaby for this entire week!

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  17. Great thoughts and great advice! Sometimes we spend precious time chasing things that are right where we are already!! I remember Dorothy's great adventure in OZ but at the end she said "what I was looking for was right here all the time".......so true for so many!

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  18. pinning for the whole world, tina--cuz we all need the reminder:)

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  19. DOGGIES!!!!!!!!!!!!! What a beautiful post Tina. :)

    -andi

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  20. Tina, you are so right. It is so important to just enjoy each moment for what it is. We are having some throw open the windows days, too. I love them. Your photos of your special little friend are wonderful. xo Laura

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  21. Tina. What a cute post! Love the photos and your dogs are adorable! Thanks for always stopping by with your wonderful comments. Always love hearing from you!

    Hugs,
    Jody

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Thanks for taking the time to leave me your thoughts. I appreciate each and every one!