Hello November- Hello Standard Time
“if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7:14
This past week we found ourselves under a tropical storm warning. You might be aware we live about 300 miles from the coast and therefore think that what you just read was surely a mistake, a typo maybe. But it is true! Rare, but it does happen on occasion that a fast moving hurricane passes through and still maintains strong winds this far inland. The prediction prompted us to take a ride to areas just to our north that normally have peak color in late October. We wanted to get ahead of the wind and rain that would likely bring down a lot of leaves. But…we were in for another surprise, as you’ll see.
We love this church up in the valley and usually find it surrounded by a lot of color this time of year. It seems this day we were too early for some leaves and too late for others!
As we made our way into the mountains it was quite a surprise to continue finding a lot of leaves had fallen.
Theses leaves are showing their “age spots” as the season winds down but they are revealing quite an array of colors.
Little River Falls is always a nice stop! A lot of trees around the canyon rim had lost all of their leaves. And, this was before the rainy and very windy weather associated with the storm. We are yet to have frost at home but this part of the state did have frost one night recently. Possibly this was a factor in many trees being bare already?
A much photographed boat house, but no 2 pics are exactly alike. This one is partially framed by a sweetgum. I made a case a couple of weeks ago for sweetgums and their contribution to autumn color!
Deeper in the woods where the thick canopy provides a lot of shade, a dark green moss thrives on a large rock and now wears a blanket of fresh leaves!
It is amazing that a tree can grow out over a rock and seem as if it has become part of the stone! It’s all about the roots. An American Holly on the right is catching it’s share of the leaf fall!
Do you love reflections? I do, as long as I can’t see myself!
Yes, it is another sweetgum. This one was growing in a very rocky spot but somehow found a crack to break through toward the sunlight!
Pam loves reflections in the water too. When you combine that with fallen leaves suspended on a smooth calm surface it is “double good”!
We had planned to find mostly autumn leaves to provide some seasonal pics but there was plenty of other things to catch our eye in one of our State Parks. Again, deeper in the moist, shady woods, an old fallen tree still has impact on the surroundings by providing the perfect home for some very unusual and colorful fungi!
The lower part of DeSoto Falls was flowing at a normal pace a day before Tropical Storm and former Hurricane Zeta came through our area dumping a lot of rain!
There is often a beauty after a storm that would not be possible without the tumult. Perhaps at times I need a reminder of this fact as I often fail to see the bigger picture when trouble comes. The most despicable action ever taken by humans occurred about 2,000 years ago; then came the morning!
Zeta did some minor damage around our house but we did not lose power or experience anything serious. Many people around the South lost power and had significant damage. Our heart goes out to those who lost a family member or friend as this storm did claim several lives!
We were blessed with some gorgeous sunsets the past few days.
Wishing you a safe and peaceful week!
”Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever”.
Hebrews 13:8
Linking with:
Pieced Pastimes, Between Naps on the Porch, Katherines Corner, Follow The Yellow Brick Home,
Imparting Grace,Life and Linda
Your pictures are always pretty. If you love Fall color, visit us in Michigan sometime. This year God was extra generous with his creation. The trees actually glowed in the sunshine. Today He’s giving us variety with wind and early snow. Winter is gorgeous too!
Thank you Wendy for the invite. It has turned cold here with the possibility of our first frost tonight. Wishing you a lovely November week!
What a beautiful autumn stroll! So glad you were safe through Zeta. We lost one big tree right across the driveway and a number up in the woods, but our power stayed on. It took me two full days to pick up all the branches and twigs from the yard and flowerbeds. A big branch came down loaded with bright green sweet gum balls! It was truly beautiful and nothing like the brown, dried up balls I am used to seeing on the ground!!
Roxanne, Zeta had quite the punch as she trekked through. The bright green sweet gum balls are pretty. Have a lovely week!
We were in Amite, Louisiana for that storm, where — far enough inland to witness its power without experiencing its fury. After two weeks in the south enjoying the hospitality and fellowship of good friends, we’re heading north and home to Wisconsin’s much cooler temps. I’m thankful to see God’s handiwork as we pass through areas still drenched in autumnal majesty.
Thanks for chasing down and sharing such beauty, Butch and Pam, The Lord bless and keep you.
Cindie
Cindie, I am glad you escaped Zeta’s fury. Have a safe trip home.
Beautiful photos of the magic of Mother Nature Butch! I’m glad you didn’t have damage or power loss…parts of Birmingham lost power and experienced downed trees and damage while other parts didn’t, so crazy. The whole town of Selma was without power for 2 days! We were spared on the coast this time too, thank goodness. I hope we have no more storms and will get to see more Fall color before we loose the rest of the leaves. I hope you and Pam have a lovely Sunday. By the way, I love the photos with reflections too, beautiful!
Jenna
I am so glad your home on the beach was spared this time. Wishing you a beautiful November week, Jenna!
Wonderful pictures! You have brighten up my cloudy and rainy morning…Thank you, dear friends, for such beauty!
Thank you Maristella. Enjoy your week.
Even though your fall day trip didn’t provide the spectacular color you had hoped for, I agree, there’s always a few surprises that make those trips worthwhile. Zeta even clipped us last Thursday, dumping over 2″ of rain (not so much wind, thank goodness). She was fast and furious, and we did lose many of the leaves throughout the area. Luckily, we got a couple nice day trips before all that. I love the reflections on water too, and Mr. P. loves the reflection of the sun glistening on the water, like diamonds. Happy November, Butch & Pam!
Thank you Rita. Zeta was fast and furious. Have a lovely November week!
I know you were disappointed that most of the leaves had fallen but you captured some lovely images. The fungi growing is very interesting. I love reflections also and yours are lovely.
I am glad you did not loose power during the storm and did not have major damage. We are so near the coast we have had a workout this hurricane season with so many storms. We had the generator all ready but thankfully did not need to use it this time. Our natural area had a large amount of small trees and limbs to fall but they will be great kindling for Mike’s chiminea.
Your cloud pictures are beautiful. Even after a storm God provides beauty.
Have a wonderful week, Butch and Pam.
Bonnie, I am glad you escaped the worst of Zeta. My large Lady Banks rose was toppled, but the arbor survived. Butch worked all weekend removing the mess. Wishing you a lovely week!
Beautiful photos that bring peace and calm to my soul. Love the waterfalls, the boat houses, the reflections, and the natural beauty you have shared with us. The storm brought flooding, uprooted trees and power outages to areas in and around Asheville. Have a good week my friends.
Thank you Dianne. Wishing you a beautiful November week!
Beautiful pictures of nature. Thank you so much. Glad you were safe from the storm.
Thank you Della!
Happy November, Pam and Butch! My thoughts and prayers go out to all of those affected by the hurricane. I’m so happy to hear that you only had minimal damage. A large part of our state suffered a terrible ice storm last week and many are still without power. 2020 has definitely given our country some unusual weather. I so enjoyed all of the beautiful fall photographs you shared. They are perfect for this first day of November. I hope you all have a most beautiful week ahead!
Shannon, I knew about the ice storm you have experienced. Did it affect you? Wishing you a lovely autumn week!
Beautiful photos. Zeta made her presence known in WV, but we just had rain. However, it brought down most of the leaves. The leaves were glorious this year. Your trip was lovely and your sunset photos are magnificent. I remember when we lived in Va. Beach and the sky would be orange before a hurricane.
Wishing you and your beautiful family a wonderful and happy November.
Thank you Sandra. Happy November my friend.
Pam, What wonderful fall pictures. A stroll through the changing leaves is always relaxing. So happy to hear you didn’t sustain major damage due to the hurricane. The Desoto Falls shot is a favorite. Thanks for sharing! Enjoy your day sweet friend. Clara❤️🍁
Thank you Clara. Happy November ♥️
My thought is that hurricanes are one of Gods way of letting us know that He is in control and that we need to turn from our wicked ways back to Him. Having lived in NC many years ago and survives Hazel in the 50’s , I’m always watching them and praying for the people in their paths. Who would have thought that I would be married to a hurricane hunter. Dangerous work!
Yes, Alice God controls the winds and we know He can use anything to bring us back to Himself. I didn’t know your husband was a hurricane hunter, wow!
It always amazes me the beauty the Lord culls out of decay and fungi, attested to by your grand photos in the wilderness…
almost like a natural church one can frequent to meet with Him and His majesty. Your pictures are a sermon pointing to
His glory. We had frost across the lawn yesterday morning, but the sun is now streaming through burnished leaves of multi
colors ablaze from Autumn’s paint pot…. How blessed we all are to be made aware through your blog. Blessed Sabbath to everyone.
Mary, their is so much beauty if we only open our eyes. Wishing you a wonderful November!
The waterfalls are beautiful!! I hope you have a wonderful November!
Thank you and wishing you a wonderful November, Michelle.
Oh, how beautiful! Such amazing photos you got! I agree with you that I love pictures of reflections, if they aren’t my own. I detest looking in the mirror! LOL! So thankful to see the lovely sites and to know that God’s protecting hand has remained upon you all through the storm. May He bless both of you always.
Yes, Cheryl God’s protection kept us safe 🙏🏻
Isn’t it amazing how sunsets change with changing light? Every day I marvel at their beauty and on Sundays I marvel at that which you find.
I love autumn’s light. Sunsets have been really pretty this season.
Beautiful pictures of a fun getaway. Nature is amazing for sure!
Thank you Catherine!
Such lovely leaves were still found by you both and the fungi was amazing. And we love reflections too… yours were superb.
I’m so glad that all is well after the storm. And you both are safe.
Happy week to you!
Thank you Nancy. Happy Monday, my friend!
Gorgeous pics! We didn’t get out to the mountains this year, as we were concerned about travelling. So, I really appreciate seeing your photos. Glad you weathered Zeta.
I have thought about you several times and wondered if you had started back blogging. I always loved your posts. This was a short one hour drive from our home, but was so enjoyable.
No, I wouldn’t think of you as a tropical storm area. That must be the wind you mentioned in your comment. And Zeta. I’m glad you had no major damage (though any is a pain) but as you said, so many have it so much worse. Stay safe and well!
Thank you Jeanie!