A week ago (Saturday 13th November), the Netherlands again announced more restrictive Corona measures, which means I’ve gone from most work days biking over to the office, to most work days staying home. Between that and so many gray, moist days and long, dark nights, I’ve chosen to push myself out the door any time I have a half-hour break from onscreen meetings, in search of what color and contrast I can find in my visual surroundings. Each time I’m inclined to become depressed about the leaves abandoning their trees and the absence of those glorious long summer days I enjoyed when I first arrived — I remind myself to enjoy the color of the leaves while it’s still there to be enjoyed. Hope you do as well š
Paul, I’m sorry to hear about the restrictions making it harder to leave home and that only compounding with winter. I’m glad you’re leaving when you can!
Hi Paul! Yes, it’s a time to enjoy small beautiful things. Here we still have some trees with colorful leaves on them, although they are falling fast. The tree in front of our house has lost almost all leaves, and I have been sweeping them up. We do enjoy the green hills this time of year, though. take care,
John
Where are the songs of spring? Ay, Where are they?
Think not of them, thou hast thy music too,ā
While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day,
And touch the stubble-plains with rosy hue;
Then in a wailful choir the small gnats mourn
Among the river sallows, borne aloft
Or sinking as the light wind lives or dies;
And full-grown lambs loud bleat from hilly bourn;
Hedge-crickets sing; and now with treble soft
The red-breast whistles from a garden-croft;
And gathering swallows twitter in the skies.
(so much world, so little time....) 
Paul, I’m sorry to hear about the restrictions making it harder to leave home and that only compounding with winter. I’m glad you’re leaving when you can!
November 20, 2021 at 05:37
Hi Paul! Yes, it’s a time to enjoy small beautiful things. Here we still have some trees with colorful leaves on them, although they are falling fast. The tree in front of our house has lost almost all leaves, and I have been sweeping them up. We do enjoy the green hills this time of year, though. take care,
John
November 20, 2021 at 06:59
Good luck getting through this darn lock-down! And good luck staying safe and healthy! And enjoy the outdoors when you can!
November 20, 2021 at 15:25
Where are the songs of spring? Ay, Where are they?
Think not of them, thou hast thy music too,ā
While barred clouds bloom the soft-dying day,
And touch the stubble-plains with rosy hue;
Then in a wailful choir the small gnats mourn
Among the river sallows, borne aloft
Or sinking as the light wind lives or dies;
And full-grown lambs loud bleat from hilly bourn;
Hedge-crickets sing; and now with treble soft
The red-breast whistles from a garden-croft;
And gathering swallows twitter in the skies.
November 20, 2021 at 16:19