Articles

Oct 25 2022

The Leaf Globe

Author: Jamie DeBree

Last week on my lunch break, the wind was blowing, the sun was shining, and golden leaves were gusting off the trees and swirling through the breeze like someone had turned the whole fall day upside down and shook it.

It was glorious.

Days like these are why fall is my favorite season. The days are getting shorter, the temperature is cooling, and there’s a nip in the air as if winter is just sort of flirting with me…feeling me out to see if I might be interested in catching a movie later. I am, of course – I love winter, but the teasing, will-we-won’t-we nature of fall is just so…intoxicating.

I am one of those odd individuals who loves (and needs) a bright (not hot) day, but also has a special affinity for early dusk and the ensuing darkness. Evenings in the summer are annoying – their long hours just dragging the day out, and with it, all the people who somehow just disappear when the sun sets early. I don’t really know where or why they all go, because when I see them in summer, they’re doing the same things I am – walking the dogs, enjoying the evening coolness, winding down from the hustle and bustle of the day.

But when darkness comes early, I’m suddenly the only one out walking with my pups, sniffing the air for that first hint of snow, and enjoying the peace and calm that happens only when the moon is on duty.

I love the nighttime as much as I love fall, and together they are a formidable pair. I was walking along with the dogs in the dark recently, the glow of their leashes the only light for yards, and we all stumbled into a pile of lovely crunchy leaves. The sound was almost deafening, frightening for a moment, and then such great fun to rend the night with such a happy, seasonal sound. Not to mention the feel of shuffling through nature’s bubble-wrap, ankle-deep. It’s fun during the day, when it can be an intentional thing, but definitely moreso when it becomes an unexpected perk to walking at night.

I wish fall could stick around longer. I feel spoiled that we’ve gotten so much of its attention this year, as we often only get a week or two of its company before it’s shooed away by the indomitable Mr. Frost. But until the globe freezes, I’m going to enjoy every minute of the swirling, floating, flirting leaves.

Stay awhile, Fall. Dessert before dinner, that’s what you are.

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Sep 20 2022

Falling for Fall

Author: Jamie DeBree

I love fall. It’s my favorite season – the season of brightly colored, crunchy leaves, a crisp, earthy smell on the breeze, sweatshirts, apple cider, apple pie, pumpkin everything and darker nights.

I know most people hate it when darkness falls earlier, but I love it. I’m a night person, and I get my second wind when the sun goes down. Last night, the dogs and I were walking after dark, their neon leashes flashing against the black backdrop as we listened to the wind whistle through the trees and the occasional owl hoot. It was beautiful – cool, calm, and streets and yards that were bustling with activity at that same time just a few weeks ago all quiet and still.

Part of the reason I love the earlier dark so much is because a dark night has less of a sense of urgency to me. There are plenty of things to do, but I don’t feel like I’m rushing around to do them. It feels less frenzied and like actions are more…intentional. There’s less stimulus, so it’s easier to focus and be mindful.

And that’s true for walking the dogs, too. It’s less stimulating for them to walk in the dark, and there are far less people (and other dogs) our, s it’s calmer for them as well.

Last weekend when I was out walking Apollo, I caught this shot of a lovely large tree that’s just begun to swap wardrobes for the season. We walk by this tree a lot, and it’ll be fun watching the leaves turn and then fall.

I know most of you are probably morning or “daylight” people (statistically that seems to be the case), but what’s you’re favorite season? And what’s your favorite thing about fall?

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Oct 20 2021

Variety News – 10/20/2021

Author: Jamie DeBree

General News

It feels like every time I start getting back in a groove again lately, something knocks me back the next day (last week, it was getting sick…a cold, covid, whatever…it knocked me back for a couple of weeks). It’s annoying, to say the least, but it feels like the “new normal”, so I’m trying to figure out how to just roll with it and keep moving forward anyways.

I tend to forget that when I was an angsty teen & young adult, I used journaling extensively to get my thoughts out of my head and process them in a productive way. I got out of the habit of journaling when someone close to me read my journals and found out things in a way they shouldn’t – it worked out okay, but it wasn’t the way I’d have preferred things to go. The act of journaling has been stressful for me ever since, for fear someone would read them. But I think it’s time to get over that and use journaling for the useful therapeutic tool that it can be again.

In the meantime, I’m trying to crowd out the stress with creative pursuits, and focus on what I really want to prioritize in life. That said, on to less depressing, more creative things!

Manicure of the Week

It takes more time and I’m going to have to start earlier in the evening, but I’m really having fun with this nail stamping thing.

For this week’s manicure, I played around with some reverse colors and a sort of 90’s teen goth look that reminds me of something Avril Lavigne would sport. A little (poorly stamped) plaid with some simple skull and crossbones accents. I like it…it’s edgy and rough and suits my mood while being “almost” Halloweenish.

Currently Reading

I am just about finished with Playing for Keeps by Jill Shalvis, which is one of the deeper romances I’ve read by her. I’ve found myself wincing in sympathy for the main character too many times, but I am very much enjoying it, as I do with all of her books.

I’ve also just started the first read-through on a newly finished manuscript by my buddy, Carol Ward, and I’ve been waiting a long time to read it, so I’m excited to finally be digging in!

Currently Writing/Editing

I’m working on edits for a new Death by Veggies story that I was (am?) hoping to have out by the end of the month. If I can finish the edits this week, I can do formatting and cover art this coming weekend, and get it published. That’s the goal, we’ll see if I can stay focused and get it done.

I’m currently trying to get back in the daily writing habit with a “word of the day” exercise, wherein I choose a word for each day, and write a micro-story (a hundred words or so) with that word daily after the day job. I just started this, so Monday’s word was “apple”, and I wrote a micro-story that revolved around an apple. Tuesday’s word was “leaves” (are you sensing a fall theme here?). I’ve posted the resulting micro – story below for your amusement.

Until next week, wishing you creativity and crunchy leaves!

Crunch, crunch, crunch.

 

Lisa shuffled through the crispy bits of orange and yellow that covered the driveway, her sneakers all but disappearing under the cacophonous blanket of fallen leaves as she continued out to the mailbox. Breathing in deep as she pulled the metal knob, a dry, earthy scent filled her nostrils and reminded her of hayrides and corn mazes and hot cocoa by a roaring fire.

 

Retrieving three envelopes and a small box wrapped in brown paper with no return address, she turned and crunched her way back up the driveway, snickering as little puffs of leaf detritus flew up from her feet and almost made her sneeze. Perching on the front steps, she set the letters down and opened the box. There was no note, no card, nothing to identify the sender, but as soon as she pulled the dainty bracelet circled by tiny acorn and oak leaf charms free from its velvet-lined box, she knew who it was from.

 

A huge, blood-red maple leaf floated down in front of her, and she bent down to grab it. Maybe it would dry nicely pressed between some paper towels in an old book. Another beautiful reminder of this glorious, colorful day.

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