Porch #117 * Early November Rhythms

The compelling rhyme, steadying cadence, & awaiting invitations of the 11th month ...

Nov 10, 2023

Happy weekend to you, friends -

There’s something about the first few weeks of November. There’s no question that autumn has arrived and we’ve had time to adjust to all the changes, kind of relieved that the frantic back-to-school chaos, revised schedules, and big launch of a fresh season of groups, committees, and programs are all pretty much done.

But this we feel in our bones and know it to be true - the holidays are about to descend. Full force. We know it, but most of us are not quite ready for all the demands and decisions that will soon come racing toward us.

This, my friends, is the official calm before the storm.

Claim this small space in time as a gift of grace, a bit of prime liminal space where we’re not quite here or there yet. See it as a quiet waiting room that invites you to re-group and begin to sort out options, invites, and plans without putting a whole lot of pressure on yourself to dot every i and cross every t.

I’m jotting down the upcoming to-do’s, to-bring’s, and to-buy’s so that my easily over-filled brain stays clear and semi-focused. If you’re an organized list person - or want to be - Kendra ‘The Lazy Genius’ Adachi’s podcast #339 - How to Make the Rest of 2023 Easier will make your eyes sparkle and your hands rub with glee.

Meanwhile …

a little reflection of appreciation for mid-autumn’s peaceful rhythms
a selection of noteworthy online reads that are worth your valuable time
a few Kindle deals you might want to grab now and tuck away for any quiet hours you might find in the days ahead

Oh oh before I forget … I can’t wait to show you my brand new windowsill candles, too!

Read on.

THE REFLECTION …

We're experiencing it here, now. It starts when we awake. Instead of throwing off the covers, we reach to pull them up closer and linger in the cozy overnight cocoon we've created for ourselves ... even as we vow to dig those gently fraying flannel sheets out of the back of the closet and get them tucked over and on to the awaiting mattress.

We start our days by donning the worn, warm robe and wonderfully fleecy socks. We stumble to the kitchen and grab a favorite mug and brew a hot ‘cuppa’.

As we prepare for the day, we leave the oven door open after pulling the golden muffins out, just to get a bit more warm air in the room. And when we head out the door, we grab a scarf and sweatshirt, just in case.

We dig out the crockpot instead of lighting up the grill. Candlelight soothes us with its warm glow and gentle fragrance as the coolness of evening descends and another day comes to a close.

As we chat back and forth, catching up with the day's details, we realize that our nightcaps have morphed from ice cream sundaes into steaming mugs of hot cocoa with whipped cream on top. We hunker down under an old quilt or two for it's a bit too early in the season to crank up the heat.

I don't know about you, but I've been through lots of transitions that I never want to experience again. But mid-autumn's gentle rhythm, its compelling rhyme, its steadying cadence, its awaiting invitations?

I'm leaning right into it all. Because God uses these times of solitude and space to restore and ready my soul.

THE ONLINE READS …

The Power of Secret Work
- Hannah Bencher

If You’re Feeling Stuck, Neuroscience Says This (Childlike) Activity Can Boost Your Creativity & Problem-Solving Skills
- Jeff Haden

A Story of Transition
- Emily Lex

It’s good to remember: We’re all on borrowed time
- Anne Lamott

10 Tips to Help You Connect with Someone Living With Memory Loss
- Barri Leiner Grant

How an Introvert Does Thanksgiving
Sophia Dembling

More Gratitude Jar Ideas for this Autumn Season
- Lynn Simpson

Here’s Why You Might Want to Serve S’Mores on Thanksgiving
- Me (2016)

THE KINDLE DEALS …

9 Things You Simply Must Do to Succeed in Life & Love: A Psychologist Learns from His Patients What Really Works & What Doesn’t
Henry Cloud
$2.99

The Journey of Desire: Searching for the Life You Always Dreamed Of
John Eldredge
$3.99

Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl
Lysa TerKeurst
$3.99

The Pursuit of God: The Human Thirst for the Divine
A. W. Tozer
$2.99

Thanks to those of you who support my work by using the Amazon links here to do your regular shopping. No extra cost to you, ever!

THE CANDLES …

And speaking of Amazon, if you’ve been around here for any length of time, you know I’m crazy for candles in the windows. I bought these 612 Vermont Window Candle beauties a few weeks ago and couldn’t be happier. They come on automatically late afternoon and turn themselves off at bedtime.

Their flickering amber flame is realistic and there’s no obnoxious cords or plugs that Tim was weary of corralling, setting up, and storing. I love the soothing warm ambience from inside as well as out (there’s a candle burning in every front and side window even as we speak). The neighbors tell me they love it, too.

Click here to window shop (no pun intended).

So, are you starting to get all worked up about the holidays or are you pretty calm so far? Do tell us what works to keep you focused, sane, and prepared …