Monday, October 1, 2012

By Invitation Only, Chapter 12

International Blog Party

And, so it goes....



"there is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on,
and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, 
as now in October?"
Nathaniel Hawthorne


We thought we would talk about
Thoughts of October
this month,
though it certainly means different seasons across the world, doesn't it?

The Nathaniel Hawthorne quotation has always spoken to me.
Maybe because in Texas we don't have dramatic seasonal changes like most of the rest of you.
But, no matter what, by October we see Fall everywhere.
This year the weather is cooperating giving us cool & sunny days, bright & crisp mornings.

When we were at school most of September was about getting settled in, meeting new people,
trying to find your classrooms. 
It was only with the arrival of October that any gaiety took place.

At home the mothers prepared for Halloween, Thanksgiving menus,
holiday parties and Christmas.   Ahhhh, yes, Christmas.

And, of course, the apparel changed, didn't it?

Yesterday, I was at Michael's looking at all the lovely Fall/Holiday decorations.
I so wanted to load up a cart with many new things.
I had an autumn wreath designed in my head, and even looked around to see
if the elements I needed were there.
(I have an entire storage space holding nothing but decorations, silk flowers,
fake poinsettia in pots to line up around our pool...1000's of items, some of them
purchased but never used only because I had too much already).

But, then I remembered I only have myself to decorate for.
No one cheering me on as the transitions take place, no one applauding all the hard
work, no one to share it with except for the neighbors who would drive by.

That kinda made me pensive and a bit sad.

Today, I'm thinking this is just the way of life, of everyone's life.
Our children grow up, move away, have their own families...
and the wives do all the same preparations I used to do.
You know?

Most of you aren't at this spot just yet, but be prepared for the same
wistful feeling.

But, fight it off.
Understand it's your time to enjoy someone else's creativity, to admire what they've 
done in their homes, and to cheer them on.
Give them some of the vast collections of decorations you have.
It doesn't matter what they do with them does it?

I'm going to make my Pumpkin Chiffon Pies,
get some beautiful big pots of chrysanthemums for the front door,
and light my fireplaces.

Along with a glass of fine red wine I will watch the
political debates with relish and thank the good Lord that I now have the
luxury of time to do this.

I will go to lunch with my girlfriends, shop for a couple of new outfits to wear
when I go to lunch with my girlfriends, find a batch of movies at RedBox,
have my flowerbeds cleaned out so we can plant the fall variations.

 And, of course, I will be watching NFL football with my friends,
cheering for the Houston Texans, who are 4-0,
The New England Patriots & Peyton @ Denver Broncos.

 The creation of my Fall/Holiday jewelry collection is well under way,
and I must say I'm happy with what we've done so far.
You will see it all soon.

Beautiful October, isn't it?



****************************************

The gifted women of "BY INVITATION ONLY"
will link in below.

Please take time to visit some of them to see what wise, witty &
wonderful things they have to say.

********************************************

Simone @ Bottom of the Ironing Basket
you already know her, I'm certain
&
Elizabeth @ Mon Avis Mes Amis

are our 2 new members
& I am delighted about this, as I know you will be as well.

to see which of the ladies is posting today please scroll down
and find the Mr.Linky gadget where their posts are
linked in.







Happy October, Lovely October

Photobucket

29 comments:

  1. Decorate for yourself honey! You will enjoy it and invite some friends over! Kori xoxo

    www.blondeepisodes.com

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  2. I'm sorry but I've just arrived and have forgotten how I got here.

    I've been traveling back in time and still don't understand why you would say you would only be decorating for yourself. If not too painful, why are you alone?

    Your site is lovely by the way and I'll be back.

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  3. Gorgeous images, Marsha...love the crisp, cooler days and the amazing changing of the leaves - happy October!

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  4. Dearest Marsha,
    Beautifully said and shared....
    inspiring words and thoughts-
    so very true...all of it. Thank you! Xxx

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  5. Dearest Marsha.... I can so identify with the wistful feelings that an empty nest brings. I have had to relearn, that this is now my time, alone or not, and to enjoy the freedom, (yes sometimes also sad at the lonely flight) but non the less, there are new experiences that await and new places to explore. I have been absent for a while as my post will explain, but I am so delighted to be back here and to share in all the inspiration and wonderful talent. Gorgeous fall images, my favourite season of all, quite simply just for the colour palette, if nothing else!!

    Sending love and hugs

    V
    xxx

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  6. Bravo Marsha!! Beautiful post my friend. I got teary eyed reading it because I am almost there, and it makes me increidbly melancholy for how things used to be. I miss having those little eager hands and feet waiting for the holiday decor to go up....nowdays, they barely notice.
    You are smart to "see the glass half full" and enjoy life for what it is today and embrace those who are in your life and realize its a new chapter......as bittersweet as it might be.

    And a glass (or two) of red wine always makes things just a little easier...cheers to October!

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  7. Beautiful and touching post, Marsha. A bit teary now at the thought of the aloneness part but I'm like you and am very glad that I have the time now to do the things I've wanted to to do for so long. I can't wait to read the two new posts that you told us about. It's very nice to be up and about so early on a crisp, October morning! For that, I am thankful!

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  8. Very timely and touching post. The exact same thing happened to me the other day coming out of Whole Foods. I saw kids with their mom's buying school lunch items. I was reminded of the fall back to school and the tears came, just a bit though. I will celebrate a different way. Thank you!

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  9. Marsha,
    Yes, we all have to find a way to "be merry" and keep finding the fa la la in every little joy of the season.
    Read the book "Anything" which I think will inspire you.
    Your post is very touching this month of October.
    pve

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  10. Oh Marsha, I believe so strongly that you deserve to keep doing wonderful things for yourself. As someone who has never had little ones, it is all I know! Sending you lots of love and a warm hug from across the seas...
    xo,
    Heather

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  11. Marsha, here's the good thing about living in California. No fall decorating!

    Hehe. I'm only partly kidding.

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  12. Oh, but the next phase can be even more fun--when you decorate for the seasons with the grandchildren in mind--when they tumble in through the front door eager to see what's new then help by hanging a velvet bat from the gilded lampstand and place the pumpkins and other gourds "just so" on the porch benches.

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  13. We are at the same stage of life. Often I feel a bit wistful of the times when the house was so busy, but then yesterday, on a Monday afternoon, we hopped in the car and drove to the coast for lunch. Such luxury to have the time to do something like that! I know you'll enjoy your new time too.

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  14. Marsha,dear..............

    Such SO warm and beautiful post here from you!
    That´s true,october is everywhere nice and peaceful;-)*

    I can understand you very good about collecting creative ideas and then realise it in your daily life: your home,your designs and another things!

    I love to collect an different looks and ideas around me and it helps to makie your own very different style.

    I want to send you my Autumn colorful hugs,

    LOVE,
    ***Violetta***

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  15. Fireplaces, girlfriends and red wine...all good.

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  16. Marsha,

    This has me all teared up as my youngest is finishing her last year of college.. and moving on. I'll be doing a lot of the same things, and reflecting. There's lots of change ahead and I will embrace it all. Good health, family and friends is what matters most. It's a time for reflection.

    leslie

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  17. Dear Marsha:
    A very lovely, honest take on the fall.
    I understand the feeling of emptiness, especially after the kids go on their merry way....your images are so beautiful, quite my opposite of my "NOIR" take on October...not my favorite month!

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  18. Dear Marsha

    Thank you for organising your BIO party again, and congratulations on your 12th edition. Your birthday!! The pictures on your post are just stunning
    Sharon
    xx

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  19. Listen, Marsha, I am so with you on the empty next thing, and I LOVE IT!! There are times I miss all of the hoopla, but I love being by myself at times. I have spent my entire life entertaining and being entertained, lol. I love watching movies, eating whatever and whenever I want, and just chilling! I am certain that with grandchildren will come the wild life again, but for now, I am loving my life.
    Thank you for sharing with us.
    Happy Tuesday.
    Teresa
    xoxo

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  20. Hi Marsha! Just found your blog and love it. I, too, am an empty nester as well as a Texan. Thanks for sharing your beautiful thoughts.

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  21. What lovely images and the music on your site is charming! Glad I found this site!!
    Karolyn
    The Relished Roost

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  22. Oh Marsha,
    What a beautiful and honest post of what October means to you ........... and, you must still decorate your home for yourself. You love beautiful things although, I do understand that the togetherness isn't there but, it still sounds as if you will be having fun ! It sounds as if you have a lot going on !! Pumpkin pies, open fires, red wine, sport , shopping and time with friends sounds OK to me !!!!
    Much love and thinking of you.
    Sorry but my link came up twice ..... I'm not sure how that happened !!!! XXXX

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  23. Lovely post, Marsha - love your images. Unfortunately I can't link to my post - have tried many times without success.

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  24. Great idea Marsha, Love the images you posted. I cant wait until it feels like fall. Its been a 100 degrees here.

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  25. Some of my comments have disappeared into neverland, just FYI. This has been the most wonderful post with the best comments. Please, if you haven't, go to the bottom and click on the icons to visit the other "bloggettes" who are participating. There are some totally amazingly brilliant posts, as well as simply beautiful ones. xx's

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  26. Dearest Marsha, How many of us 'girls' know exactly where you are coming from. Autumn days are so beautiful but also melancholy. If I lived near-by I can tell you I'd be SO cheered by those pots of chrysanthemums outside your door and the glow of your fires, and I'd be smiling as you answered the door, maybe wearing that fabulous fabulous red gown too, now that would put a smile on anyone's face! Put the percolator on friend I'll be there in ten.... I've got chocolate!

    Huggings x Jane

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  27. This wonderful post deeply touched my heart, Marsha. Life certainly is a cycle, and we all try to find a way to enjoy the place we are. Autumn glory being sent your way.

    I've missed you at Pink Saturday.

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  28. Marsha, Yes time does march on and as the seasons change so do our lives. I like your attitude on how you will celebrate the changing season. I think it is so important to always try to add beauty to our lives in what ever capacity we have at the time. I wish you glowing fires, falling leaves and warm cuddly sweaters and of course great leather boots, xo Kathysue

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