MY OCTOBER DELIGHTS
As I mentioned at the beginning of January when I chose "Delight" as my Word of the Year, I thought I'd round off each month with three delights. October is school holiday time here in Western Australia - so that means family time for us. It's also Spring, so lots of time outside in the warmth and sunshine - watching nature come bloom.So, without further ado here are my three delights from October...a family visit delight, a musical delight, and a dabbling delight, with a delightful quote to round it all up....
It's that time of the year again where the family comes down to visit. We had a lovely visit from our son, daughter-in-law, grandgirls, and their new little cat - with lots of playgrounds, crafts, treats, meals together, and more. It ended on a sad note with our son hurting his back and the visit being cut a little short so he could head home to his own space to recover. Too much exertion before he came down and something just went "twang"! I told him he must be getting old! The grandgirls were very sad to go home early - so they must have been enjoying their visit.
DELIGHTFUL NEW MUSIC
I've mentioned in a few previous posts that I'm a bit of a Swiftie. Her Eras tour sucked me into her music because it was everywhere. As a lot of people would know, she released a new album at the beginning of the month and a video of the first song "The Fate Of Ophelia". It's soooo catchy, and upbeat, and fun - it just makes me smile and I must have listened to it, or watched all the shorts of her dance moves that others have been copying, several dozen times.
If you've missed this little masterpiece, you might like to join the 85million other people online who've checked it out on youtube - here's the link if you'd like to listen and smile. I hope you tap your feet and enjoy the effort that went into producing it.
DELIGHTFUL DABBLING
I love that retirement gives me time to dabble in things that bring me joy. I finished my latest book of collages this month and thought I'd share my favourite page. I've also been colouring my Johanna Basford "Rooms Of Wonder" book lately while I tune into a podcast or listen to music. I find colouring very mindful as it allows me to listen without getting distracted - when I'm collaging I have to think about what I'm doing more and I often lose track of a podcast while I'm planning and placing.
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| combining fantasy with extinct birds |
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| a Johanna Basford "Room Of Wonder" |
A QUOTE ABOUT LIVING DELIGHTFULLY
How lovely is this quote? Let's all look for those tiny blessings and all the goodness that surrounds us and brings joy.
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| via powerofwordz |
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What a treasure trove of delights here Leanne. Sorry about your son's back though. Hard when our kids get ailments. Those granddaughters sure love being with you and R. Look at all that fun for them. I understand that some activities work better without music and others are enhanced. I can't write on line or in a book if there are any distractions. But I do enjoy my audible books when I have making mandalas and fun art. I finally listened to some of Taylor Swift's songs when I decided my granddaughters seemed to know a lot more than me. She is a sweetheart for sure, who sings (and writes words) about life and from the heart. Have a lovely week. Denyse x
ReplyDeleteHi Denyse - nothing beats time with our grandies, and I like that we've made it sustainable - not overdoing the spending or the fuss, just simple little things that they love and we enjoy doing with them.
DeleteI find it really interesting as to what I can listen to when I'm doing things - if it's fairly mindless (colouring, jigsaws etc) I can listen to a podcast, but if I have to think, then music is pleasant, if I'm reading or on my laptop, then silence is my friend.
I'm glad you're listening to a bit of Taylor Swift - I find her songs are just really catchy - even the sadder ones - and the girl boss ones too. She's certainly a clever cookie!
Hi Leanne, Those family photos are lovely, and it sounds like you had a fabulous visit (other than that it was cut a bit short, sorry to hear your son hurt his back). I’ve not really listened to Taylor Swift’s music before, but you’ve convinced me to check it out! Your collage page is beautiful, the words and images. Great idea to colour while listening. I enjoyed reading about your October delights. Sue xx
ReplyDeleteHi Sue - the Taylor Swift video was such a fun one to watch and it's catchy enough that it's often stuck in my head as a bit of an earworm - especially when snippets keep popping up in my Youtube or FB shorts.
DeleteThanks for the lovely comment about the family visit - we love seeing them when they come down for a few days - it helps make up for not seeing them every week due to the distance - which you'd understand as a fellow West Aussie. x
Leanne, I am sure you gave and received as many hugs as possible during your limited time together. Precious moments. That poem could easily become a daily mantra.
ReplyDeleteHi Suzanne - I loved the poem too - such a great reminder that there's so many small things that we take for granted...but if we pause and appreciate them we realize how truly blessed we are. And yes, there were a lot of hugs and laughs and fun times - and our son is now back to normal, so all's good in my world. x
DeleteLove your collages and coloring. So beautiful! I need silence if I read or write or do any type of work. When I was younger I could do many things at once but now I can only give full attention to one thing at a time. That's what Mindfulness is all about. I guess physical pain is enough of a distraction. Here it's Fall, humid, cold and dreary. Not looking forward to Winter as it's the same weather as Fall except colder and snow. I am into Fall cleaning (as everything was put on the back burner due to ill health and hot weather in the Summer) ,preparing the house for the colder days and to be able to put the heat on. Hopefully, I will be able to rest later in the year. Haven't listen to any music for a while and when I do I prefer piano or easy listening. Glad that you got to see your family. So many things have changed since my beloved passed away. Just trying to get through each day and trying to get minimum healthcare. More bad news this morning. I badly need a break. Sorry to be such a downer but I tell it like it is. Thank you for your post!
ReplyDeleteHi Yvonne - I'm sorry to hear that your health issues haven't resolved more happily. As my mum often says "getting old ain't for no sissies!" I know what you mean about silence for reading and writing - I'm the same there because I need all the headspace possible if my brain wants to work at full capacity. I do love a little bit of music if I'm doing something fairly mindless or meditative.
DeleteI can't imagine living in the cold climates that a lot of you deal with every year - here it never gets unbearably cold, but I will say that our summers tend to be very hot at times and I get very tired of being hot and sweaty. I'm making the most of Spring while it's here and before the long, hot days and nights arrive. I hope you sort out all your Fall cleaning and make a cosy little nest for yourself to hibernate in over the winter months. Keep looking after yourself and I hope there's a little delight or two that finds its way to you in the week ahead. xx
Hi Leanne, Interesting how ‘small things’ is part of your heading/quote. In my radar, recently. Family time is always priceless and precious. Adorable photos. Sorry about your husband. I hope he recovers quickly. I tried to get Swiftie tickets the regular way when the tickets were first released. No luck. She and her music have a significant impact, as you well know. The most recent documentary, ‘End of an Era’ (and possibly ‘The Final Show’) will be released in December … chronicling her last concert, took place in Vancouver.
ReplyDeleteYour colouring and collaging remind me of entering a zen state … a good place to enter. Your end quote gave me goosebumps. How you and I are often on some karmic wavelength … a new story coming out - you will see what I mean. Thank you for being you, Leanne. xx Erica
Oops, meant to say, your son hurting his back ... healing vibes in his direction. xx Erica
ReplyDeleteHi Erica - I'm so glad that someone of my "advanced" age and stage can appreciate Taylor Swift and the joy of her music. I'm in awe of the scope of her talent - she's such a savvy business woman on top of her musical skills. That End of An Era series is showing on Disney+ here in Australia, so I'm switching our paid TV subscription from Prime to Disney for a few months for a change of viewing and to watch the series - I'm sure it will be excellent.
DeleteI'll keep my eyes peeled for your next story, and yes, I think we're both approaching this stage of life from a similar wavelength - acceptance, gratitude, and appreciating all the small blessings, rather that expecting big life events. For me it's all about contentment and family and quiet joy - you can't ask for more than that can you? xxx
Sorry to hear your son hurt his back and had to cut their visit a bit short. It's crazy the things that can throw your back out as you get older... like tying your shoes or sleeping wrong. We've had a very fun month filled with shows, art, and birthday celebrations.
ReplyDeleteHi Jo - I'll be popping over to check out your updates - you always seem to fill your time with interesting things. And yes, the back issues are weird at times. My friend's husband who was a truck driver, bent over to pick up a kitten and really hurt his back big time - I think he was more embarassed about how it happened than the actual injury!
DeleteHi Leanne, looks like a lot of fun with the family, great photos! Sorry to hear your son injured his back and I hope it heals quickly for him! Nothing beats family and friends time! Have a good week! Chrissie x
ReplyDeleteHi Chrissie - living a couple of hours drive away from our kids makes me treasure any time we get with them. I have to keep reminding myself how busy their lives are and that we are very blessed when they set a few days aside to come and spend time with us. I'm looking forward to our shorter visit up to see them in a couple of weeks.
DeleteA good reminder to look for those delights in every day. How precious your granddaughters didn't want to leave! and, as always, I love seeing your collage work. Simply stunning.
ReplyDeleteHi Pat - it was sad seeing them upset that our time was cut a bit short, but also lovely to think that they enjoy being with us enough to feel upset about going home. This time of life is so short - they'll be adults with busy lives before I know it - so every moment counts with them. And thanks for your lovely compliment about my collage - I still really enjoy doing them and feeling a bit "arty" when I finish one. x
DeleteHi again, Leanne, Re Taylor Swift - called a ‘new concert film’ - using the words “The Final Show” - around mid December 2025. I am curious about Vancouver footage. Of course, Australia may have a different release time. I have also heard her described, like an olympic athlete - the stamina required for all of the shows.
ReplyDeleteI hope your son is continuing to improve and all is well. xx Erica
Hi Erica - yes he's all good now - younger bodies heal faster than older ones, but it was a bit of a wake-up call that he's not 20 anymore :D
DeleteAnd yes, watching Taylor and her dancers moving constantly for 3 hours makes me appreciate the training etc that goes into it - especially because dancing isn't her natural talent - she just keeps working at it - there's hope for us all!
Your delights are always fun to read about. Sorry to hear the visit had to be shortened by back trouble. Love your use of the word "dabble " It makes me feel that it had to be fun
ReplyDeleteHi Judith - I like calling it dabbling because it takes the pressure off making it into something bigger than it needs to be - it can just be something that's fun and brings some variety into my day - and that's perfect for me. :)
DeleteI love your delights this month, Leanne...except of course, that your son hurt his back and had to go home early. I hope he is feeling better now. The collage page is absolutely beautiful. Thanks for sharing that with us.
ReplyDeleteHi Christie - it was a quiet month, but that's how I like my life to be. Spending time with the family is always the most special part of it - and yes, his back is all set again. I think he was surprised at how easy it was to do something significantly incapacitating.
DeleteLeanne, thank you for your comment. Always appreciated. I need all the words of encouragement that I can get.
ReplyDeleteYvonne, if I lived closer I'd have you over for a weekly cuppa and chat - we'd sit somewhere warm and just "be" for an hour. You'll have to do that in my honour each Monday when you pop in to read my latest post. xx
DeleteHi Leanne, I'm finally back and trying to catch up on what's been happening in the blogging world while I've been swanning around the world! I hope your son's back has recovered by now and we have the same issue with our granddaughter Emilia, who often gets upset when we can't stay longer! It's so sweet of her but also upsetting for us all too. I know that your granddaughters would have wanted to stay with you for longer. A lovely month of highlights, I'm yet to watch Taylor video but might have a look at the one you mention. Hope all is well. Debbie
ReplyDeleteHi Deb - it's been really enjoyable following your travels, but also lovely that you're back in Oz and all settled at home again. And yes, having chunks of time with the grandgirls is lovely, but parting is always harder when we know it'll be a while before we get to see them again - and ours like the routines that come with visits - when disruptions occur it upsets their little apple carts. We're off to see them next weekend, so it'll be a chance to check our son's back to normal and to spend some lovely family time again. Welcome back to the blogosphere. xx
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