Tuesday, November 3, 2015

around here







I'm savoring autumn, taking in details,
storing them away, 
for bleaker days.


I collected leaves, and remembered doing so as a child
and with my own children--
the colors, that spark of wonder.



I've been volunteering at a cat shelter.
In case you want a pet, 
but not the long-term commitment that comes with owning one,
shelters are always desperate for foster families.


My palette has changed with the season.


I take a walk every day,
try to stay in the moment more
and worry less.

I hope you are enjoying autumn, or spring, depending where you are.

                        xo,

                       Jennifer

23 comments:

  1. Autumn is so fleeting, walking with it is the only way to really savour it. I love that your palette reflects the seasonal tones...

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    1. Yes, I think winter and summer can be grasped more easily than spring and fall. I love walking...

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  2. Jen...we had a brief glimpse of autumn and then summer returned... Hot and humid. The leaves are beginning to turn and fall, but the tomatoes, zinnias, and bell peppers continue to produce. A happy surprise... The hydrangea has gone into a second bloom with 6 or 7 lovely mopheads! Enjoy your walks and thanks for taking us along!

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    1. We're having a warm spell ourselves--such a treat. How wonderful that you have all those fresh veggies.

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  3. Beautiful, Jennifer. The black cat, though neater and with a white star, looks like our Pete, who has to live in the garage because he sprays. Love the paintings, especially the smaller first one, though I couldn't say why. Just an emotional reaction. I've lost your email. Could you send it to me again at shipscatbooks@jrcda.com

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    1. Thanks Karen. I've gotten really good reactions to that painting. Will email you!

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  4. Hello Jennifer, I had heard that the northern U.S. was having a spectacular autumn, and your photo amply bears this out. Sometimes you can detect a micro-Fall over here, but it really doesn't amount to much. The other day by the Hsin-dian river I noticed some almost leafless trees, but I was told that it was the result of the super-strong typhoon last August.
    --Jim

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    1. I can't remember such a beautiful autumn, Jim. It is truly a gift.

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  5. We're supposed to be at peak this weekend so I try to savor every second just as you are doing. I feel as if I can just sit there and stare for hours on end. We have a new office space in Manhattan and I went to meet the contractor yesterday, waited for 40 minutes in a courtyard full of mums reading, talk about Heaven. I too love the last one. I read a book titled "Being Dead"by Jim Crace a few years ago and this is exactly what I pictured (not as morbid as it sounds) so I'm kind of reminiscing in some odd way. I'm not sure I could work at a shelter, would want to bring everyone home, Max would not be happy. It's nice to see you.

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    1. Oh, I know you will enjoy it--the leaves have been just incredible this year. I'll have to look for that book.

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  6. beautiful paintings. and how I wish I could foster a cat. but monsieur is so allergic, I can't even play with one. did you recommend Station Eleven to me? I get so many book recommendations from you that I can't keep track. if so I wanted to thank you. just started reading it and am enjoying it - which might not be the right word for a book like this, but I'm sure you know what I mean - very much.

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    1. I don't know what the shelter situation is like in France, but I volunteer at a cat shelter. Though you'd have to shelter well when you got home! I might have recommended it-don't remember, but did enjoy it. I'm reading City on Fire right now, by Garth Risk Hallberg, and really enjoying it. Also reading the memoir of Madhur Jaffrey, the Indian cookbook writer and it's pretty wonderful.

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  7. Hi Jennifer,
    So glad to know Im not the only adult who walks around picking up the leaves. Our red maples were so spectacular this year, I could have filled a large book, to press them. It seems that every region of the country is having a spectacular Autumn; I visited a blog from Central Ohio today that knocked my socks off. Do you have linden trees in your neighborhood? Ours are fabulous; I love the heart-shaped leaves turning gold. We are like squirrels with the nuts, eh? Thanks as always for a beautiful, comforting post.
    Cheers,
    Diane in Colorful Colorado

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    1. We do have Linden trees. Glad you are having a good autumn, Diane.

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  8. Lovely paintings Jen! I collected some leaves as well today. I agree with you, they are so pretty! Your leaves look much richer though.

    Have a lovely weekend!

    Madelief x

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  9. Amazing beauty! It's very nice to draw pictures in accordance with the change of seasons.

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  10. Wonderful paintings, Jen, and a very handsome black cat. Alas, I can't have any more, says The Gardener; five are enough. But I swear there's room for a couple of kittens in this house!

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    1. Never enough animals Rachel!!! But one must consider The Gardener.

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  11. Autumn in your photos is beautiful and black kitten looks sweet :)
    Greetings

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