THE AUTUMN SITTING ROOM

 

Autumn is actually here and what a treat. 

 Most of us have been anxious for this day

 and now let us just enjoy it. 

 Already the Christmas magazines

 are hitting the news stands

and while I will admit 

that I have already pulled some out of the many I have hoarded over the years 

and have begun dreaming, 

in the clear light of day 

I am paying close attention to fall.

This week the spot light 

is on the sitting room.

  I did mention to someone that I am not putting as much out this year

 and even though it appears 

that I might be telling a little white lie,

 I'm really not.  
There are still full boxes of decorations 
that I didn't even open.
  Maybe I will make good 
on the promise to myself
 of giving some up this year
 but, then again, 
that might continue to be
 a hopeless task.

The same old tried and true

 oversized flower arrangement 

is stuck into a different vessel.  

The addition of sprigs 

of little velvet pumpkins

 along with amber glassware 

make it autumn worthy.

It appears that the farm truck 

just backed up and dumped 

a few velvet pumpkins. 

 There is no rhyme or reason 

as to the styling, 

just displaying their elegance 

without taking themselves too seriously.

The shelf over the sofa is 

basically the same as last year.  

A new painted quilt square

 blends in with the paint-by-number art

 and a tiny velvet pumpkin 

managed to escape the chaos

 over on the sideboard.

My great-grandmother's pieced quilt top

 adorns the back of the sofa

 and the pillows all blend into

 the colors of the season 

while an arrangement of

 hydrangeas and ivy,

 freshly picked 

from the ending summer garden, 

sits on the wagon.

Jacenda is now working 

at the VA hospital 

and she is impressed and liking it so far. 

She will be spending time 

in different departments,

 all associated with the hospital, 

learning the job in each one 

and then moving onto the next. 

 After a certain amount of time

 she will be able to pick her preference

 and stay in that position. 

She and Jake are doing well 

and have already started

 to add to their little family...

...meet Bean,

 our new little great-grand dogger.

 She is a Boston Terrier 

and is nine weeks old. 

 They will be traveling 

to Oregon this weekend 

to pick her up. 

 We are anxious to meet her.

She looks very sweet 

and I love her already.

When we first took up residence

 in the Cottage

 over 30 years ago, 
most of the people that we met

 knew and remembered 

Miss Elizabeth Garland. 
 She was an elementary school teacher and the first lady of the Cottage. 

 She was soft spoken and practical, 

and she dwelled here for many years

 with a loving heart. 
 I have felt her presence many times 
but for the first time, the other evening,
 I was privileged to see her.

I was in the sitting room, 

looking into the parlor,

 and there her reflection appeared in a framed painting on the wall. 

 I stared at it for quite awhile, 

until I could be certain. 

 I was amazed at how clear she looked,

 her gown befitting someone dressed 

for a special occasion.

Now, someone more practical than I 

might argue it was just the reflection of a lamp from across the room, 

but I know what I saw 

and now it is clear to me 

that it is true that voices from the past

 do linger on in an old Cottage. 

 There are always secrets to be heard 

and memories to share.

I hope you will all
 enjoy the beautiful fall days 
to come.

...Judy...

Sharing today with:

Love Your Creativity at Life and Linda