A Seasonal Love Note and an Update*

Published on by J. Kelland Perry

Happy September, all!

I’m sharing one of my Evergreen Posts today, because much of its content still applies to my life right now. Between berry-picking, bread-making, and gearing up for more writing this fall with a plan to take part in November’s NaNoWriMo—National Novel Writing Month—I expect to be busy. If all goes well, I will complete the first rough draft of my fifth novel (I have two published, two un-published) by November’s end. Thanks for reading!

I know our Atlantic Canadian summers are short and I treasure the warmer days while they’re here, but there is something about this season of change I truly love as well.

Late summer and early fall has a uniquely different quality, where on a sunny day the air lends a crisper, more metallic edge to the natural world. (This love affair hinges on one important caveat: that the northeast wind doesn’t blow too much and turn our world chilly and wet for days on end.)

The outlines of clouds against the steel-blue sky look sharper, heralding the approach of what is to come. Most foliage and grasses are still summery green. I relish them all the more, knowing the colours will soon transition into vibrant shades of red and gold before finally fading to the cool grey and white hues of late autumn and winter.

It is a season of harvest and renewal, a time of new beginnings and the dawning of fresh ideas. The kiddies are back in their classes. Though my own school days and child rearing years are well behind me, I still feel that push of motivation into new plans and goals, to make the transition into a stricter work schedule, to get back to writing more in the coming months. November and NaNoWriMo are still a ways off, but I strive to clear up all loose ends in preparation for – dare I say it without jinxing myself – a 50 thousand-word first draft of a brand-spanking new novel. But hey, I did it before, so why not?

Then there are the berries. Where would this season be without the berries?

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fruits of the first trip

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…and fruits of the second

In two afternoon jaunts, the blueberries are now picked, and it won’t be long before we are in on the barrens again to pick partridgeberries. (In other parts of the world, these lovely bitter, relatives of the cranberry are called lingonberries or cowberries.) I make plenty of the jam for my other half since he likes it on his morning toast all year round, not to mention in the occasional pastry tart with a generous dollop of thick cream.

Especially anticipated, besides an excursion on the barrens, is picking the plump, juicy partridgeberries that grow right here on our land. I checked all around the Point last week and it looks like a bumper crop this year, probably a sign of how plentiful their growth is everywhere else.

My boy and me back in the day

Coinciding with the cool-down in temperature is a return to more bread-baking. There’s nothing like the smell of a fresh batch from the oven to take the chill out of your day.

“Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall.”
– F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby

What do you like the most about this time of year?
Relief from the heat? A return to a more orderly schedule?
Getting the children out from underfoot and back in school?
Or are you sad because the summer is nearly spent?
Do tell!

This post was inspired by Ailsa’s Travel Theme: Seasonal.*

32 thoughts on “A Seasonal Love Note and an Update*”

  5. I love the fall weather too, Jennifer, and for all the same reasons. We recognize the coming change and fervently grasp the last beautiful days before the weather turns cold. I loved the picture of you and your boy, and thoughts of canning, bread-making, and writing are filled with warmth. Thanks for sharing your beautiful September.

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  6. Fall is a season of delight and dread for me. September and October are incredibly beautiful here in New England, but they also mean that winter is ahead. And, ahem, I still haven’t found anything I like about cold and ice and snow. Except. Those cold indoor days do mean more writing inside. Congrats to you on deciding you’ll do NaMo. I’d like to say I will, but between teaching my classes and a little traveling, I think I’ll do it “on my own,” this year, hoping to add so many words a day. I’d love to know what you’re going to be working on. You know I’ll be one of the first people to buy your book! 🙂

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    1. Hi Pam! I’m not a huge lover of winter either but I’ve always loved fall. And yes winter is more conducive to writing, reading, and all things cozy. This will be my first time back at NaNoWriMo since the first draft of Calmer Secrets, so it has been a while. I’m writing a speculative fiction trilogy and this will be its second instalment. I so look forward to the day it’s all wrapped up and ready for you to read. Thanks for your encouragement. I look forward to your next novel too! xx 🙂

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  7. Jennifer, berries, books & baking! 😀 A perfect mix of all three with stunning views and oh yes, the writing! Congratulations on five books written already and good luck for November. I feel when schools are back that Christmas is only around the corner. Have a great time with your 50K words – you’ll do great! As for the berries, yummy! I miss the blueberry picking in Sweden but have just started to pick blackberries here in the UK – just as fun but rather more tricky & prickly!😀

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    1. Thanks for the well wishes, Annika, so very much appreciated! I have four not five books written but I’m starting on the fifth for NaNo (outline done).
      I think the blackberries you mention are what we call blackberry-mountains here. 😀 They are delicious. Have a great week! xx

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  8. Five novels?! Jennifer, that is wonderful! That photo of you and your son is so cute. I am ready for autumn to make its arrival. Already, at night, I can see it getting darker earlier–which for some reason, I just love. Less than 3 months left in hurricane season–thank goodness! So, yes, I am ready for summer to bid us farewell.

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  10. OMG I love that picture of you and your son – that’s precious! And Jennifer, I’m so excited that you are doing NaNoWriMo – so am I! Did Calmer Girls and Calmer Secrets start from NaNoWriMo? If they did, and you’d like to be interviewed for our library blog, I’m seeking authors whose books began with NaNoWriMo. Let me know – Jill did it last year and it was so fun. Good luck to you and enjoy those last days of summer – I see a blueberry pie in your future! 🙂

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    1. Thanks, Barb, it’s like looking at a photo from another lifetime, in a way. I’m excited that you’re doing NaNo too! And I can’t wait to read whatever you come up with. I wrote most of Calmer Secrets first draft thru NaNo, and I finished Calmer Girls before that thru NaNo too. (I forgot about CG when I commented on your blog yesterday.)
      Good luck to you too. I’d be up for the interview if you have the questions ready. 😊

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