Friday, September 27, 2024

SEPTEMBER THOUGHTS & MEMORIES- Y'all Got Apples?

 

This time of year always
makes me a bit nostalgic.
It makes me long for my youth
on the farmlands in Pennsylvania.
I remember those I loved
that lived there with me
and the cool ,crisp mornings
I spent in the woods with my father.
.
There are songs that I find
particularly haunting.
Neil Diamond's
is one of them.
I am not putting the music
on here because I know
most people find background
songs annoying...
but if you get a chance 
listen to the song when you can.

September brings out my
"rustic side".
I love picking 
the perfect apple!
 and baking
 and making
Needs a sprinkle of cinnamon,
doesn't it?
All those things make me
a  little nostalgic but 
what hits even deeper?

We moved from 
what was supposed to be our
"forever home".
We have downsized and 
gotten rid of tons of stuff.
And I still have more stuff
to dispose of--sigh.

Living in a condo means
we live differently than we did
once upon a time. 
Plus, hubby's health issues keep us
anchored to our living space.


Life is full of changes, 
isn't it?
Thanks be that I am one that
ROLLS with the PUNCHES
although I will 
say that sometimes I feel like
PUNCHING SOMEONETHING.

Can't you just hear your grandma saying,
"That's not ladylike" (or nice)...

If you promise to be very good,
and not give 
mean old Uncle Arthur 
Ex-Lax in a Hershey's bar wrapper,
I will be back in a bit with
some Fall pictures of the 
area I live in now.
Yeah- Yeah- I promise!
your photo name

34 comments:

Sandi said...

Downsizing is a gift to those who come after us. My parents gave us "kids" grandma's china and some furniture and things like that while they were still able to go through it all. When my Dad passed we had just a few things of sentimental value to go through. My mom's retirement apartment is sparse. She likes it like that. We can easily spot the treasures to keep and give the rest away.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

"To every thing there is a season" whether that be apples or living spaces. Enjoy your new home -- looking forward to your photos!

Donna said...

Oh sweetheart! I'm sorry you needed to move! And I SO agree with how you feel! Getting older can really suck! We've been doing things, around here, since Larry was diagnosed with bladder cancer. Oh, they caught it in time, but it still changed him...his attitude about things. I keep pushing him to become active again though!
Hang in there with me...just believe.
hugs
Donna

Junkchiccottage said...

Good Morning my friend. Summer just zoomed by and now I hope we can hold onto fall for a little bit. We all know that Mr. Winter will be right around the corner. Our trees here are changing all ready too. Happy Friday have a wonderful weekend. Hugs. Kris

HIBISCUS HOUSE said...

Love the apple post! Sweet fun memories. Proud of you downsizing that can be such a task. I'm still clearing and decluttering around here. Be glad when storms get through here today. xoxo Dolly

Tom said...

...they say that an apple a day keeps the doctor away. I eat a bunch of them, I'm trying to keep the doctor away!

Cheryl Kimbley said...

Fall does seem a time of reflection. I am ready for comfort food! Take care.

Jeanie said...

Congratulations on getting through the downsizing and move. I know that's a huge thing and a hard one, especially leaving the home where you thought you would be forever. Big hugs on that. I hope you get a bit of a rest after all this and that the smaller size makes things easier, I think I need to make an apple dessert today!

Marilyn M said...

Downsizing is a difficult task at any time, for sure. Fall memories of picking apples brings me back to childhood too! Such good times, and there's nothing like homemade apple goodies like pies and applesauce! Blessings!

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

Diana, I am amazed by you my friend. You always roll with the punches. I do understand your frustration of it all. You are such a strong dedicated woman. I know downsizing wasn’t your sincere wish. So glad you have made some wonderful friends. I think most of us have extra stuff sitting around, we need to let go. Apple season is the best of fall. I am ready for homemade soups, apple pies and more. Xoxo

Susie said...

So good to read this to know you are still your ole onary self. I sure know what you mean about still owning too much. Fall is when I miss everyone. You know time on our hands. Take care , hug all for us. Blessings, love you, xoxo, Susie

Terri Steffes said...

I am always up for an adventure, even if it means moving! However, we are well rooted to this place we call home, so I would be saddened to leave. I hope you are in a good space with leaving your former home. I recently retired (yay!) but still learning to navigate my time now. It's a lot to manage.

Bill said...

I love apples and have one every morning in my porridge. My grandmother used to make awesome apple pies. Hope you are doing well, take care.

Lorrie said...

Life changes, doesn't it? I love the seasonal shifts. Took a walk this morning and listened to the wind in the poplars. So beautiful. Hugs to you as you navigate the shifts. Apples are a wonderful gift in fall.

Ann said...

I have a rather large house but still I've thought of moving to something smaller. I think it would be wiser to just start dumping junk instead though.

Ginny Hartzler said...

I can't wait to see!!! And if you ever posted why you had to move from tour forever home, I forgot it. Why did you have to move? Yes, it is such a good thing you are so flexible! That is something I need to work on.

Michele M / Finch Rest said...

I think it is truly normal to get nostaligic this time of year if one lives in an area that starts to change, preparing us for a rough winter ahead.............things dying, no more "boys of summer." I say that because that was an anthem growing up on a summer vacation lake. So I get it. So sorry hubs isn't well. I remember your "forever home" so well. Sorry I have been so absent. I am trying to reconnect. You were always one of my best readers. One of these days I may actually blog again. Perhaps for a fall home tour, been ages since I've done a home tour.

Sending hugs and prayers. ♥

Lowcarb team member said...

Life does change, and although it's not always easy, we move on and do the best we can!

I always enjoy the Autumn season and apples are so much part of it. I'm also looking forward to more walks and enjoying the lovely colours the season so often brings.

Thinking of you and sending positive thoughts and good wishes.

All the best Jan

Anonymous said...

Hi Diana- I enjoy this time of year for some of the same reasons. It's getting more and more fall like here. Sorry hubby’s health keeps you anchored there. I remember your big home and sizing down must have been a huge chore. Do you still get your coffee everyday? I bet there are some excellent flavors available for fall!

Anonymous said...

Liz @ Home and Gardening With Liz

Bless said...

Oh, I remember going apple picking one year when I was at Green Bay - it was so much fun! That apple pie looks delicious!
Downsizing and decluttering is hard, isn't it? I am not planning to move, but, I am trying to declutter. Or, at least, reduce the amount of possessions I have. It's like pulling teeth!

Lynne said...

Beautiful post Diana . . .
Sad for your missing your “forever” homeland!

The Happy Whisk said...

Oh my goodness, I love autumn and apples. Excited for apple sales from the local places. Happy Fall 🎃🎃🎃🎃

Lady Ella said...

I'm sorry it came to moving in the end, but if it makes life easier for you both in the longer term, it was for the best. All the best in your new home!
I tend to feel a little melancholy when the clocks change (another month to go) but I like autumn if it is dry and sunny. And of course the gift of fruits! I am attending an apple day next weekend. Never been to one before but should be good if the weather holds!

Wanda said...

Doing a bit or downsizing ourselves. Just her a song about leaving the lecacy of "Being Faithful". One of the verses say when we are gone, and our children are sifting through what we've left behind, will they find that we were faithful.
I havent been blogging for a while, as my dearest is pretty much my fulltime job. But love to read your posts, but don't always comment. Sending love and hugs to you and your darling.

jack69 said...

We are cracking up about the x-lax in the Hershey wrapper! Oh you said some goodies. WE ARE NOW IN THE FARM LANDS AROUND LANCASTER!!!! There is STILL lots of fresh corn and tomatoes. (AND APPLES!). Just a little while ago we had corn on the cob and tomato sandwiches. (3rd day in a row) The best corn in the world methinks.
LOve you lady and think of you and hubby often...

jack69 said...

PS: A friend in Dover had us over for a fresh Apple pie, I loved how she sliced the apples very thin, great pie !

Connie said...

I enjoyed reading your post and the comment you left on my blog. Remember to take before and after photos of your kitchen painting adventure :)

Cecilia said...

Downsizing is a chore! But I know my kids will appreciate it someday. I look at my MIL house and shudder. It is full of stuff and a lot came from her thrift store shopping days. Sigh. Fall always meant heading to our grandparents ranch when hunting season started. We’re just starting to cool off. Look forward to seeing your pictures.

Danielle said...

It doesn't start to feel like fall until October for me.

Rose L said...

Yes, life does throw some curve balls at you. I found out November 2023 that I have an autoimmune illness called systemic sclerosis, which threw me for a loop. Now I may have colon cancer so seeing a specialist to find out. Such a curve ball. Some days are harder than others.

Red Rose Alley said...

September always makes me a bit nostalgic too, Diana. It's such a calm and pleasant month. I loved hearing about the time spent with your dad on the farm when you were young. Apples say Fall is here, and there are so many goodies to make with them. A piece of apple pie is a must in the Fall, and I love pecan too. Yes, life is full of changes. Some not so good, and some wonderfully good. You definitely are a "roll with the punches" kind of gal, and I appreciate that about you so much. Looking forward to seeing more Fall around your neck of the woods, Diana.

Happy October!

~Sheri

Carla from The River said...

Hello Friend, we picked apples yesterday, we did the Chippewa Valley Fruit Loop, we visited three orchards. And it was 88 degrees!!! Strange Wisconsin weather!!
Love You!! Carla

Pamela M. Steiner said...

I just got around to reading this post, and said, "What? You moved again?", Then I thought about it and I think you meant you downsized and moved into a condo when you moved to where you are now a few years ago, right? I think that's right, but if not, if you have moved again, oh my goodness! I am truly sorry for all you've been going through with hubby's health issues, etc., and I know how illness can certainly change our lives and what we can and cannot do. Our priorities change completely. We aren't there yet, but I know that day is coming for us eventually, when we will truly need to downsize and make some difficult decisions about where we live, etc. One day at a time. Now, apple orchards and fresh apples and apple pie? Oh my! Yes, I'd love some, thank you! We are taking a trip next week to the GA. mountains, and I hope to get some fresh apples there and bring them home to bake some apple pies. If I don't eat the apples all up first, which would be better for me than pie, but once a year can't hurt too much! Take care my friend. I just came over here from your little fairy house story and realized I had missed this post. Sorry! (((hugs)))