The Simple Woman’s Daybook – October

Hello Friend,

October is definitely upon us. The mornings are dark now when I get up but if I wait just a little bit I’m rewarded with the sunrise.

Because of the LORD’s faithful love we do not perish, for his mercies never end. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness!

Lamentations 3:22-23

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I love thinking about these prompts Peggy has organized for The Simple Woman’s Daybook. They settle my mind on something clear and doable and help me to focus on the small, wonderful, simple things of life. Which actually turn out to be not so small after all.

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For Today

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Looking out my window …

The skies over my neighbour’s house have turned from a few pale streaks in the sky to a glowing, fiery pink. How I wish I could capture it, but my sunrise pictures never turn out as glorious as the real thing.

I am thankful …

For beautiful sunrises, because they remind me that God is still in His heaven. He knows how much joy His artistic creations bring me. When I looked up from my computer screen to look out the window, I actually clapped my hands and gushed, “ohhhhhh!” like a delighted child. His child.

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I believe beauty reflects the truth about who God is and what this world is all about.

Christie Purifoy

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One of my favourite things …

Autumn – The crisp air filling my lungs also clears cobwebs in my head and refreshes me from the top of my hat to the toes in my boots. Changing fall colours cause me to slow down, not only to examine each remarkable leaf, but to consider my life and how I sometimes complicate what could be simple, and simplify the truly wondrous intricacies of simply living.

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I am creating …

More space in my bookshelves — not necessarily getting rid of books, you understand, but packing many away that I don’t need right now. They will reappear in my new library whenever our new home is built.

I am wearing …

Stretchy jeans, burnt orange sweater, and long dangly gold earrings shaped like leaves.

I am reading …

Children’s books. Several of them, actually. I was introduced to so many wonderful picture books and picture book authors at last week’s Picture Book Summit that I knew I needed to add a few to my library. Here are some of my new favourites:

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Also reading No Time to Spare by Ursula K. Le Guin

Fear is seldom wise and never kind.

Ursula K. Le Guin

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I am watching …

Miss Marple on britbox; the series with Joan Hickson as Miss Jane Marple. A friend told me that Agatha Christie once spotted Joan Hickson and thought she’d be ideal as Miss Marple once she got older. I love stories like that.

I am listening to …

Need I even tell you? I could listen to Babe’s newest album all day long, and I do. It’s so gentle, comforting, relaxing, healing …

I am hoping …

I can find some balance between home life, volunteer work, and writing. October always makes me feel like making schedules – which I eventually never keep to. I wonder, if I called them ‘guidelines’ would the rebel in me be more likely to follow them?

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Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay

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I am learning …

To play the ukulele. I learned the three basic chords in Grade Five. It’s amazing how many songs one can strum to with only three chords. But now, I’m learning so much more than mere strumming. I’m actually picking out the melody of the song, one note, one string, at a time. My fingers still want to learn like a pianist though, so I’ve got a long way to go, but Babe is the most gentle encouraging teacher. It’s quite nice having a certified, accomplished musician in the house.

In my kitchen …

Not the usual Thanksgiving smells. I’m not cooking a turkey this year, opting for tasty ham, potatoes, and some new vegetables to our family’s usual Thanksgiving fare: brussel sprouts, asparagus, sweet potato. It’s going to be scrumptious.

In my study

A playpen where my rolling office chair should be. Little Munch is visiting for Thanksgiving weekend, with his Mom & Dad, and Sweet Thing.

Family. So much wrapped in that one little word.

In my garden …

The begonias sing for all they’re worth despite falling leaves and cooler temperatures.

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A moment from my day …

They are here! I picked up our books on the eve of Thanksgiving weekend. My writers’ group, Writers’ Café, has put together a collection of stories and poems reflecting the theme of hope. One reviewer described Hope Connections this way:

“Be prepared to be transported through these stories and poems – from Depression-ridden Edmonton to the jungles of Brazil, an island in the Philippines to a modern-day home where a mother ponders the gifting of her prodigal. Well crafted and inspiring, the stories will capture your imagination and keep you reading to the very end.”

Marcia Laycock, Award Winning Canadian Author and Speaker

In the chaos of this world, hope still remains. The stories and poems in Hope Connections will remind you that the human spirit is ever sustained by God’s gift of hope.

Katherine Kavanagh Hoffman, a Hope Connections author.

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Post Script …

This is where Peggy suggests we share a favourite link to pass along. How handy. PageMaster Publishing is one place where you will find our book. It’s not there just yet since it’s ‘hot off the press’ but they assure me it will be there this week. In two weeks you will find the paperback at Amazon. Ebook available within the month.

Closing Notes …

Happy Thanksgiving to all my Canadian friends. May your hearts be full when you remember the simple things with which you’ve been blessed: breath in your lungs, friendships near and far, sweet sleep, a colourful world – literally and figuratively. And just enough candy to keep your inner child within reach.

Bye for now, and stay safe out there.

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8 Comments

  1. So enjoyed your October edition of the Simple Woman’s Daybook. Tiny glimpses of life on your street, in your house – a place where we can relax and enjoy the moment. Had a chuckle at your comment that October makes you feel like making schedules, and wondering if you called them ‘guidelines’, if the rebel in you would be more likely to follow them. Haha. My left brain always relishes a schedule, putting her hands together in glee and anticipation of work getting done, but my right brain says, sweet girl, you’ve got another think coming if you think we’re gonna do things by your book, there’s a world out there to enjoy!

    Thanks for the lovely visit on this Thanksgiving weekend. We’re having a bit of turkey and stuffing tomorrow — looking forward to it.

    Wishing you a great week, kindred spirit!
    Brenda xo

  2. I like the idea of guidelines instead of schedules. Like colouring books, it is just fine to colour outside the lines from time to time!

    1. Oh I love that picture of colouring outside the lines. Thanks for that, Lynn. Yes, somehow guidelines are easier on the stress level.

  3. Love you beautiful prairie autumn images! It’s a gift to pause and look at things through the lens of these Simple Woman’s Daybook prompts. Looking forward to reading the stories in Hope Connections.

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