We’re giving thanks for so much here at the old farmhouse, where my husband, his childhood friend Tasso and I just listened to the wonderful Shelagh Rogers interviewing me about the story behind my book A Good Home, on CBC Radio.
Friends in Canada: the show is repeated Saturday at 4 p.m.
For my friends worldwide, here’s the podcast.
http://podcast.cbc.ca/mp3/podcasts/nextchapter_20141013_25045.mp3
I leave you with this interview, and the beautiful fall colours of Ontario.
Much to be thankful for, indeed. With love and thanks, from our family to you.
Thanks to Hamlin Grange for his lovely photographs
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Imagine my first autumn in Canada. I’d come here from Jamaica, where the trees and shrubs didn’t change colours — unless you counted the parade of blooms on shrubs like bougainvillea and trees like the poinciana.
Autumn in Ontario was a wonderland of changing colours and scents. The fresh smell of a cool fall day, the rain having come overnight and disappeared by morning, replaced by brilliant sunshine. The smell of wood logs burning in the fireplace. The blazing colours of the trees. And the shrubs. And the pumpkins.
Photo by Hamlin Grange
Colours, glorious colours.
I had seen pictures, but the first time I beheld the autumn colours with my own eyes, I was astonished. When I realized that the leaves would soon fall and the maple and oak trees would be stripped of their glory, leaving bare branches and trunks…
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Cynthia Reyes 
I do hope you are feeling positive in your thankfulness and that all the pains are healing inside and out. Sending you some love to keep you warm.
Sarah xx
You expressed a lovely and caring hope, Sarah, and I am thankful for it. Bless you.
Cynthia, thank you for sharing these wonderful fall pictures. I never cease to be impressed by autumn. Like spring, it always takes my breath away.
Thanksgiving Blessings to you both ~ Wendy ❀
Wendy: So true. spring and autumn the two seasons that take our breath away with wonder.
Cynthia, I was so glad to be able to listen to your ‘Next Chapter’ interview today! You were WONDERFUL! Congratulations! You were able to cover a lot of ground with this and I really loved your dialogue with Ms. Rogers. Nice!!!!! Thank-you for giving us a ‘heads up’! Happy Thanksgiving to you and Hamlin!
Thank you, Jacqui.
And I am SO glad you like the interview. I remember that you strongly believed CBC Radio should interview me about this book. But I was terrified that the stuttering would begin, or the PTSD would knock me sideways. And now that I’ve heard it myself, and my relatives and friends are also happy with it, I feel a great sense of relief! (Gee whiz, I’m such a chicken on some days…)
Those pumpkins look amazing. Such splendid specimens ..
Aren’t they though?
Brilliant post and wonderful photos. Autumn is my favorite season of all. I hope your husband and you are doing better. 💐
Yup, Levi: autumn and spring the seasons of wonder. My husband is getting stronger. Thanks for all the prayers.
Beautiful vibrant colors! Great shots! Happy Canadian Thanksgiving!
Thank you, Michael. Do you have the changing of the leaves at this time of year too?
Wow, I’ll bet that was vastly different from life in Jamaica. But then I think beauty, though differing from place to place, can be found everywhere. Hope you are feeling better. Hugs, N 🙂 ❤
Very different indeed. Yes, beauty comes in different forms and places, Natalie – you Wise Woman, you! (Big hug.)
Even though it’s not Thanksgiving here I give thanks that you were gathered together to listen to the interview; I give thanks that I could listen to the interview; and I give thanks that you gave the interview. Such a pleasure to listen to you and Shelagh. Such a pleasure. 🙂
Thank you, dear Gallivanta. Shelagh Rogers is one of the great interviewers. She’s celebrated here in Canada.
She and her team were kind to me. I see why she gets such wonderful interviews from her guests.
I love that she came to your porch and we could hear the summer sounds in the background….even a mosquito at one stage???
It’s interesting to hear it on the radio, because suddenly, the sounds that normally meld together become quite distinct.
It was good to hear your voice.
Thanks, Aggie.
I finally listened to the interview tonight…kept getting distracted but eventually got back to it. What a lovely interview and a delight to hear your stories, in your voice:-) I enjoyed hearing you laugh:-) You have been through a lot + it is good to know you have found your way back:-)
I look forward to reading more of your stories:-)
I have never heard of CBC or Shelagh Rogers— it sounded a lot like NPR here in American BUT with lovely accents! delightful:-)
Hi Robbie: THANK YOU.
Glad you liked it.
CBC stands for Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. It’s similar to NPR and some CBC Radio programs are broadcast on NPR in the US too.
Accents: Shelagh’s voice is so lovely. As for me –gee whiz – I didn’t realize that I still say ‘hoose’ (for ‘House’).
Great interview, warm, informal and touches the heart. Motivates one to read A Good Home all over again (or for the first time)! Stay joyful and optimistic. Cheers!
thank you very much, Lee.
I appreciate your response to the interview.
Really enjoyed hearing your voice & very moved by your story! U hang in there, girl!!! Happy Autumn & still sending warm thoughts for you & your hubby’s full recovery. 🙂
Thank you. Shelagh and her team made me sound half-decent, I think.
Thanks for the good wishes. And happy Autumn to you and yours – including the ducks!
I heard you speak on the radio about healing and it gave me perspective and hope for my own circumstances. Sincere thanks for sharing.
And my sincere thanks to you for taking the time to leave this comment, John. Healing takes the time it takes. Be kind to yourself.
My best wishes to you.
Your story reminds me a bit of my sister-in-law, who moved here from Spain. Her Castillian chauvanism prevented her from expressing her admiration of the fall color, and she would only say, “In my country we do not paint the trees!”
I love this. Made me smile!
Honestly, autumn in Ontario is actually sublime. I moved here from beautiful B.C. in 1986 and am still overwhelmed by it every year. It is a real high point in my garden as well. Loved this post.
That’s for sure.
Just this morning, I said “I still can’t believe this happens every year.” The beauty of it can take one’s breath away.
What a lovely and touching interview! I love the pink house because I have my own “pink” house that keeps me inspired–it is my grandmother’s house–her front porch…her porch swing…and the smell of my grandfather’s pipe tobacco. It is a place that I visit often in my mind…and through a few photos that I have. That is why I sit a spell with a good cup of coffee 🙂
I struggle with finding myself in my new city. My little family and I have moved so much in the past few years that I have not had a chance to think about my own life…what I want to do. It is a struggle just managing my Type 1 Diabetes and Celiac–much less starting completely over in a place where I know absolutely no one except the hubby and the daughter! Your interview touched me…inspired me. I must dig out my old journals. Remember the talents that I have…how awesome for you to share your own struggles!
I am so glad that I sat a spell with you today and listened to your interview. It came at just the right moment for me. I think I will get out of my PJs and venture out. See what I can discover *smile*
Moving is a pain, isn’t it? Especially when one is dealing with other issues. But – hey — you’re such a creative person, you don’t seem to let the grass grow under your feet.
Yes, dig out your old journals — and keep up your creative projects, that always inspire me.
I’m glad my interview helped, though I think I slipped up and referred to my journals as “those bloody journals” or “the damn’ journals” – yikes. You can dress me up but ya can’t take me out, especially when I’m crying…..