A fall tradition I'm hoping to continue this year is a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia - spending a couple dollars for access to the park makes me feel a lot better than spending far more on a visit to a pumpkin patch! It's an easy day of driving, looking at leaves, and chatting with my significant other about whatever comes to mind! Exploring small towns off the parkway is a nice add-in, but it's not necessary. The pandemic brought going for afternoon drives to the top of my list for enjoyable outings that felt safe, and I'm hoping to keep that going (if gas prices cooperated, that'd be nice too!).
I loved this issue so much, Katie. I feel the same pressure you talk about with driving to the apple picking place an hour and a half away (we may be thinking of the same place!) and... for what? I was saying to my wife the other day, that we’re inadvertently teaching our kids that life is lived on a treadmill 24/7/365, when really that’s not how it should be at all. The drive to consume all these things/experiences, rather than just enjoy the moment, it’s hard to escape -- and that’s why we need reminders like this lovely essay 🙏
Thank you for this brilliant writing. I have just subscribed to your newsletter after following the free version for a while.
I am an elder with grandchildren in Florida and abroad so its easier to avoid the endless commercial bombardment of "manufactured celebration". I feel for those who are alone, in grief, unhoused, and seeking refuge after battling land and seas and what happens to them. Thank you for the beautiful fall photographs reminding us the importance of the beauty surrounding us.
Good newsletter Katie. I can understand what you mean by feeling forced into doing things in life just because other people say you should. And with the way retail forces everyone to constantly move at their pace. I remember last year at the end of October, I went to Hobby Lobby for something and saw all the Christmas stuff. I thought to myself that I have time to pick up the Christmas stuff I wanted. When November came around they had a Thanksgiving sale. I went after that to get what I was interested in for Christmas and so much Christmas was already gone. It wasn't even December yet. I felt frustrated and rushed because of it.
Here’s to picture books instead of the endless picture streams with which we feel compelled to chronicle our lives. The now, like meditation, holds so many sensory moments.
A fall tradition I'm hoping to continue this year is a drive along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia - spending a couple dollars for access to the park makes me feel a lot better than spending far more on a visit to a pumpkin patch! It's an easy day of driving, looking at leaves, and chatting with my significant other about whatever comes to mind! Exploring small towns off the parkway is a nice add-in, but it's not necessary. The pandemic brought going for afternoon drives to the top of my list for enjoyable outings that felt safe, and I'm hoping to keep that going (if gas prices cooperated, that'd be nice too!).
I loved this issue so much, Katie. I feel the same pressure you talk about with driving to the apple picking place an hour and a half away (we may be thinking of the same place!) and... for what? I was saying to my wife the other day, that we’re inadvertently teaching our kids that life is lived on a treadmill 24/7/365, when really that’s not how it should be at all. The drive to consume all these things/experiences, rather than just enjoy the moment, it’s hard to escape -- and that’s why we need reminders like this lovely essay 🙏
Beautifully written & a great prelude to the changing season.
Open palms! Gorgeous writing (as always). Enjoy your fall, Katie!
Thank you for this brilliant writing. I have just subscribed to your newsletter after following the free version for a while.
I am an elder with grandchildren in Florida and abroad so its easier to avoid the endless commercial bombardment of "manufactured celebration". I feel for those who are alone, in grief, unhoused, and seeking refuge after battling land and seas and what happens to them. Thank you for the beautiful fall photographs reminding us the importance of the beauty surrounding us.
The only time we’ve ever gone to a pumpkin patch was to act as a distraction. I’m far more content to pile up the leaves and let the kids jump in.
By the way, I can’t get say enough good things about The Anthropocene Reviewed. It’s the new book I recommend to everyone. (Sorry, Lamb.)
Good newsletter Katie. I can understand what you mean by feeling forced into doing things in life just because other people say you should. And with the way retail forces everyone to constantly move at their pace. I remember last year at the end of October, I went to Hobby Lobby for something and saw all the Christmas stuff. I thought to myself that I have time to pick up the Christmas stuff I wanted. When November came around they had a Thanksgiving sale. I went after that to get what I was interested in for Christmas and so much Christmas was already gone. It wasn't even December yet. I felt frustrated and rushed because of it.
Here’s to picture books instead of the endless picture streams with which we feel compelled to chronicle our lives. The now, like meditation, holds so many sensory moments.
I love all of Kevin Henkes’ picture books! Try them all if you haven’t :)
This post made me smile...! Its all about learning how to effortlessly appreciate the beauty life has to offer, isnt it...!