Readers must surely know that right now in the United States there is a constant fire hose of bad news that is covered, quite rightly, by various forms of media. No point in denying this bad news, and being somewhat of a news junky, I pay close attention.
But at least in my personal life, there are many good things happening too, and I hold on to them the way a person falling overboard might cling to a tossed life preserver ring. The good things help keep me afloat.
First and foremost, October in Maine. October in Maine is so glorious that it never fails to fill me with joy—that slant of sunlight reflected from the golden leaves; the deep blue sky made brilliant by the lack of humidity; the bursts of orange and red; the nutty smell of fallen leaves. I could go on and on singing the praises of October. And even this year, when the drought has muted the color of the changing leaves, it is still a wonderful month.
Here are pictures taken last week from my backyard.
A flash of red in the nearby woods,
yellow leaves against blue sky,
and the view from the patio.
Then there are the new cats, who despite their pesty ways with plants they shouldn’t be nibbling on, are bringing us so much joy and laughter.
Finally, there is another reason why October is such a special month for us: our eldest daughter Dee was born the end of October. We will be celebrating her birthday next Saturday with a trip to southern Maine, where we will meet our daughter Shannon and Mike. But that will be a story for next Monday.
Notes From the Hinterland 
thanks i needed a reminder that there was still “nice” out there like fall colors and kitties. I appreciate the reminder to make sure my eyes stay open to it.
My pleasure! It’s not always easy to stay open to simple pleasures during hard times.
Beautiful autumn colours and such cute cats!
What beautiful pictures. I love fall! It is wonderful to read a positive post! Thank you for sharing!
My pleasure! I am making a big effort to appreciate simple things during these tough times.
Lovely picture ! And what a cute cat !!! I know the north of the US is famous for it’s stunning Autumn leafs.
Thanks so much! No finer place to be in October than northern New England.
How do you get anything done with a kitty acting cute right beside your computer?!? Thank you for sharing your Maine October, Laurie. It’s such a splendid month here, too, despite the ongoing drought. You’ve captured some of its beauty for all of us to enjoy!
Fortunately she doesn’t stay there too long.
Yes, October is such a splendid month. One of the best.
Miss Fern feels she must say something;
“It’s actually OUR upcoming novel, Laurie!”
Good point! I will need to give credit to Fern.
Sweet kitties! 😻 Maine coon cats are such great companions and you have two, lucky you. 🙂
I have been enjoying the colors lower to the ground this year particularly, since so many maples were a disappointment. Lots of good color amid the perennials and shrubs. 🍁🍂🧡
Right? It was only when we got them home that we realized how much coon cat they had in them.
I was noticing the same thing with the perennials.
We were in Belfast for the weekend and got to enjoy that October light! I think that if we had family closer, and could figure out healthcare, we would move there in a heartbeat.
A lovely part of Maine with a snappy downtown.
Oh! No picture but finally, after five years with us, Nori is comfortable walking on my keyboard! I am so glad you have happy cats! Increasingly, we do too. That said, even with a cat sitter visiting, Nori met us at the door when we arrived home last night, in the dark, later than planned, with a happy meow, soon followed by a tongue lashing. Clearly she feels at home now.
So glad Nori feels comfortable enough to complain.
It has taken her a long while to get comfortable enough to be vocal. Its a lovely change.
It takes some cats longer than others. So lovely that she has a home with you two.
Leaves changing color is a spectacle that never grows old.
So true!
the nutty smell of fallen leaves – love that description!
One of the most wonderful smells!
Oh, I do miss the northern autumn. We’ll get a bit of fall color between Thanksgiving and Christmas, but it’s been so dry (ironically, after the catastrophic flooding on July 4), we may not get much color this fall. One of my favorite quotes about fall, from Ann of Green Gables, “Oh, to live in a world that has Octobers.” (May not be exact, but that’s the gist.)
Yes, I remember that Anne quotation. How true, how true!
Such gorgeous autumn colours Laurie and sweet Kai and Little Fern look so at home already 💕🐈 xxx
My favorite time of year, and it’s not letting us down! Laurie, those kitties are absolutely adorable!!🥰
October always comes through. We think those kitties are pretty special.
The leaves are beautiful and Fern and Kai are fun loving companions I’d bet 🙂
The kitties are indeed fun and loving. Such a wonderful addition to the household.
I’m terribly jealous, we’re in a no pet building 😦
Amen, a hearty amen, on all counts! Glad the new kitties are adjusting well. Every day I come home from my walk with a handful of beautiful, colorful leaves. They are just irresistible, IMHO. Love the smell of autumn, that tang of vegetation just beginning to decay. Enjoy the b’day celebration with your daughter and crew!
Fall is such a wonderful time! Those kitties are such a wonderful addition to the household. Looking forward to the birthday celebrations.
A very sound post to remind us to count our blessings.
Small blessings really matter as your own blog beautifully illustrates.
Both the inside and the outside of your personal world lead to smiles . . . for awhile perchance it is best to try and not look further . . . hmm, I am a newshound also, so . . .
Oh, thanks so much! We sure need smiles, don’t we?
Cats? I must have missed some posts. Congratulations. They look very nice cats, even if they do lie on the desk and get in the way. 🙂 Eventually, like Covid, everything will pass and we will get back to the important things like familya nd cats and afternoon tea and falling leaves . . . So many blessings when you start to count them. And next year you will have hummingbirds again.
You must have missed a couple of posts, but now you are caught up with our new additions. Yes, so many good things to enjoy.
🙂
I love your cats! oh and the autumn colours…!
A-w-w, we love them, too. And those colors!
It always makes sense to be attentive to what brings us joy.
I try very hard not to watch the news but once reeled in on a story I am hooked. It is not called doomscrolling for now’t. However: The good things help keep me afloat.
Is so true, Laurie. the rest is just white noise as it is out of our control.
A very timely uplifting post
Thanks, Derrick! We need these little glimmers of simple pleasures.
Wonderful cats and terrific trees. Perfect distractions from the misery of the news. If it’s any consolation (though I’m sure it’s not!) the news here is relentlessly grim too.
Thank you, thank you!
Those kitties make us laugh, and yes, a perfect distraction from the misery of the news. So sorry that the news is grim for you, too. Sigh.
Yes, yes, yes! Thank you. More good things!
Happy Birthday to Dee and congrats on having a good October and enjoying your new family members.
Thanks, Judy. Those cats sure do make us laugh.
Even less spectacularly colored leaves are beautiful, and cats? Cats are one of life’s treasures! Yours are beautiful, and it’s wonderful that they’re sociable as well. We’re still summery here, but rain’s in the forecast for the weekend, and a ‘real’ front may be the cards for next week or so. I’m eager to share in the delights of the autumn you describe so well!
So true! Yellow leaves are also a delight. I even like the sober russets of the oak trees. Somehow appropriate for Puritan New England.
Yes, it’s wonderful that the cats are so sociable. What a delight they are.
It is truly a marvelous month!
Oh, those fall colours are lovely, Laurie! I don’t like winter (it’s too cold for me!), but autumn I can cope with, especially when the weather is sunny. Loving the new cats, too – they look so adorable!
Gorgeous!
Thanks for sharing your life preserver photos. I have also been clinging to good things. Thanks Laurie
Yes, we all need something good to cling to.
It is so easy to get despondent with all the horrible news so celebrating the good things at home is essential to staying sane!
Sure is! The news is so crazy and hateful that it’s easy to be overwhelmed by it. The small pleasures help.
Lovely images Laurie. Our October so far is wet and windy but we do have some sunshine in between. Hurrah to glorious October.
Hurrah, hurrah!
October is a favorite of mine and thank you for sharing the peaceful good vibes!! I’m glad little Fern is helping you with your latest novel and please tell Dee I love her cats and Happy Birthday!🙂
I have passed on your message to Dee. Many thanks!
Keep holding onto those life preserver rings, Laurie!
Little Fern looks very helpful, and sweet!
I will, I will! We all need them.