The Essence of November
a return to the woods after a brief hiatus in time to catch the late autumn glory
Hello, quiet ones.
It’s so good to be back. Nearly three weeks ago, I became ill with what I’m quite certain was Covid — my first time with the virus. It hit hard. Even now, there are symptoms that linger, and I suspect it may be a while yet before I feel I have recovered fully.
While I may not be completely back on my feet, I do finally feel that I’m capable of returning to my beloved forest wanders — short ones, at the very least. I sorely missed being out in the fresh air and quiet, autumn being one of my favourite times of the year.
So, without further delay, let’s return to nature and enjoy all the rustic beauty of the late fall forest.
I was greeted this morning by a steel sky, a grey blanket of clouds stretching from horizon to horizon while low bands of fog swept through the forested hillsides.
The air holds a bite. It’s mere days after one of our first snowfalls, and though the snow didn’t linger in the valley for long, its memory is felt in the tips of my fingers and the depth of my lungs.
The vibrant fall foliage has mostly faded and a rusted orange has taken over. Leaves have dried and shrivelled into themselves, some still grasping at their branches rather than joining their comrades on the forest floor.
Aged ferns twist and curl into captivating shapes while others remain flat and open, showcasing their unique and enchanting patterns.
Moss remains vibrant, nourished by plenty of rain and moisture, it’s an eye-catching green that provides the perfect backdrop for minuscule mushrooms and fallen leaves.
A short wander, as I begin to rebuild my stamina and strength, but a sweet one with many wonders to be found. I hope you enjoyed joining me in the forest once again.
Sending all my love and calming forest energy to all who need it right now — the world is heavy, and I hope this little respite through the woods lets you take a quiet breath for a moment or two.
♡ Whitney
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Your post is such sweet medicine. Thank you.
I'm very glad you're back and feeling better! It's challenging to know the purpose for sickness, but I do know you're very intuitive and will glean the insight.
It's so very curious to see how you describe the fall leaf patterns, especially the description: "dried and shrivelled into themselves." I pictured a beautiful cocoon, ready for the hibernation phase of its life. I liken this picture to myself: displaying my fall patterns, warmth of a fireplace and curling up into myself in my cozy chair. I love being like nature!
Thank you, Whitney. I'm very glad you're here!