Wednesday, November 2, 2016

FAREWELL, OCTOBER


my latest video


October is gone, even more quickly than I can remember it. With the end of my favorite month comes a deep depression, a debilitating melancholy, a sinking of my soul. What's left to look forward to? A long, bleak winter and the inevitable prospect of turning a year older.

Sagittarius waits in the dreary December shadows, poised, ready to strike again - the Archer taking direct aim at my heart....

Don't mind me. I'm thinking out loud, and my inner thoughts reek with disturbing complexities that I seldom display to unsuspecting strangers. It will be our secret.

Halloween was very quiet, uneventful yet strangely satisfying. Slightly overcast, hazy, unseasonably warm and mild. Despite my bad back and better judgement, I went for a brief afternoon walk in the woods - slipping and sliding over moss and nestling dampness.

I rescued the little lone pumpkin that was growing in the weedy shadows of my front yard.

 
I let the cats out for a joyous romp in the leaves. Scratch is getting along wonderfully with Scruffy and Bosco - - which is out of character for her. It must be due to the magic spell of autumn.

Bosco and Scratch


Halloween night was moonless, appropriately spooky. The sightless forest echoed with distant howls of wild dogs and coyotes. Long after midnight I heard a commotion on the back porch. It was the resident 'possum exploring an old ladder. I snapped a photo from the kitchen window.
He seemed especially interested in a shovel.


I took lots of photos of my "back yard" this past month. Rather than plastering them all over my blog, I decided to make a quick video (above). It's not very long, so it shouldn't be too painful to watch.

The music I used is The Long March by Greek composer Vangelis. I love it - it's me - it reflects my soul.  

Video is best viewed full screen.
Here's the YouTube link:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RJLHDzeNBR4
 

21 comments:

  1. Beautiful pictures of the cats in the leaves!!! I dare say calendar ready for a,cat calendar! I too loved October and look forward to the holidays, then I too will join you in the woo's me stage and ready to get depressed and hibernate. Then can't wait till spring. Its a vicious cycle.

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    1. I have a hard time letting go of October, but I'll completely forget about it when the first snow falls.

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  2. pussies in the leaves! the nocturnal creatures are fascinating, aren't they?

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    1. Since I'm a nocturnal creature, I can really identify with them.

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  3. Jon and vqngelis ILL FIND MY WAY HOme is a record from my teenage years

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    1. I haven't heard that one in a LONG time...

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  4. Very pretty video and beautiful music.

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    1. Thanks, Paula - it's such a soothing time of year and the music seemed so appropriate.

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  5. Your video is calm elegance, Jon, which I need just now. And the pumpkin is waiting to grow wings, a goose-head and fly honking south. Possums are among my favorite wild things, so apologetically near-sighted, enthusiastic but clumsy climbers. I try not to alarm possums because they'll run away and plow right into a post. Then I feel sorry for them and they stagger away stunned and embarrassed. I have no idea how they've survived as a species. Your property is full of magical color.

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    1. Calm elegance is definitely what we need, Geo. Possums have sharp teeth - and I heard they can get nasty - - but the ones around here always seem so shy and docile. Sometimes I leave scraps of food for them.

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  6. How lucky you are to look out your window and notice a different color or progression of color in the Fall only to become architectural art of dormant trees in winter. You better grab a pussy (or three) before a coyote or a wild dog does!

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    1. Heck, I think I've grabbed more pussies than Donald Trump.....I'm always completely enchanted by the autumnal colors - and it's even better when they are right outside my windows.

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  7. Loved your video, Jon. My mood always lifts at the end of each August. I cannot abide summer (too much heat, bugs, and people hanging out on the streets until midnight or worse), so I welcome fall and winter like long lost friends. Granted we don't get much snow in the great *cough* Pacific Northwest, but I do love all the leaves and their changing colors in October. I am reminded of a poem by Dylan Thomas. And I am glad you have your wonderful cats to keep you company during the changing seasons.

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    1. Much like you, I hate the heat and bugs of summer (and there are PLENTY of insects out here in the wooded boonies). The best part of winter is no bugs...and few people.
      There's definitely NEVER a dull moment with the cats.

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  8. Such a soothing, beautiful video. Sorry this is such a sad time for you. This is my favorite time of year--all the way through new years. The rest of the winter promises lots of time to read and craft and play with art supplies. Maybe a time to write your memoirs? :)

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    1. Autumn has always been my favorite time of year - - I truly have an autumnal soul. I will very definitely be doing some serious writing this winter...

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  9. What a splendid idea, to turn your back-yard photos into a video. Those golden leaves are seriously calling my name.
    Your rescued pumpkin is absolutely adorable. (As are, of course, your fur-babies!)

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    1. I was listening to the Vangelis music the other night and thought it would be a perfect accompaniment for my autumn photos.
      That little pumpkin is so cute ....obvious a token from the previous owners of this place. That has inspired me to consider planting some pumpkins next spring.

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  10. I loved your video it made my day.I haven't been feeling my best and I needed something to help me feel better.😧 Everything is looking dry and dull around here the leaves has covered the yard again after having them cleaned up last week.Take care.Jean.

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    1. I'm so glad my video helped make your day, Jean. October is such a glorious month that I'm always very sad when it ends. The weather has been dry and mild here, it was 80 on Halloween.

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  11. I forgot to say I was born in October and hate to see it move on to November!

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