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SKYLARK'S ARTICLE OF THE WEEK - THE CHANGE OF SEASONS
Buon Ottobre. Happy October. We're about a week into Autumn, and the air is mild with a slight chill. The sky is different colors, and so are the leaves. My geraniums are still plentiful, and the Rose of Sharon are waning. My hydrangea is drying out, and the flowers are turning a faint burgundy. Autumn is settling in.
This is a transitional time of year. Summer can be hectic as Autumn brings a calm over things. I like that about fall. I bought my first mum bush the other day. The vibrant colors are inspiring. It's inside on my dining room table. I'll plant it in my garden eventually, but I'm enjoying the outdoors inside for now. It's just beautiful and rustic.
The ground is starting to show signs of falling leaves amongst the clover. I love the sound of the leaves when you walk through them as they crunch under your feet (there's a video of me doing just that in my Facebook post below). Autumnal leaves in vibrant hues are a beautiful part of the season, but those leaves are also a vital part of keeping trees alive.
Trees that have leaves that change color in fall are deciduous. (Evergreen trees with needles, which stay green to continue the photosynthesis process through the winter, are coniferous.) Deciduous trees usually have large, broad leaves.
Most of the year, these leaves are green because of the chlorophyll they use to absorb energy from sunlight during photosynthesis. The leaves convert the energy into sugars to feed the tree.
As the season changes, temperatures drop, and days get shorter. Trees get less direct sunlight, and the chlorophyll in the leaves breaks down. The lack of chlorophyll reveals yellow and orange pigments that were already in the leaves but masked during the warmer months. Darker red leaves are the result of a chemical change: Sugars that can get trapped in the leaves produce new pigments (called anthocyanins) that weren’t part of the leaf in the growing season. Some trees, like oaks and dogwoods, are likely to produce red leaves. The autumn leaves drift by my window. Buon Autunno!
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Research finds that exposure to colorful fall landscapes generally results in less stress than in bare tree settings. Multicolored landscapes positively impact psychological and physiological changes, such as relaxation levels, stress alleviation, and emotional regulation. As scientists put it, “Within the color evaluation of autumn landscapes, factors like the primary autumn color, color saturation, and brightness play essential roles in recovery effects and other positive results."
The colors of the leaves actually corollate with our emotions. Green leaves can represent harmony, nature, and growth. Yellow leaves can inspire positivity, enthusiasm, and happiness. Orange leaves inspire optimism, friendliness, and warmth, while red leaves represent strength, passion, love, and danger.
Whatever color you like best, Autumn is sure to provide that for you. Daily walks this time of year can be so beneficial to our mood. There's so much joy in a crisp autumn walk through brightly colored leaves. The scent of the moist ground and tree bark is a feast to the senses. And let's not forget the smell of burning wood.
I have to go now. I'm going for a walk.
Peace and Love,
Skylark
At 60 and Beyond, walking in Autumn can be an activity that gives us so much pleasure.
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SKYLARK'S PICK OF THE WEEK - GREAT JACK O'LANTERN BLAZE AT OLD BETHPAGE RESTORATION VILLAGE
From October 4th through November 3rd, you can walk the immersive pumpkin trail on the grounds of a 19th-century village where thousands of hand-carved jack o'lanterns light up the night, complete with an all-original soundtrack, synchronized lighting, and special effects you have to see to believe. This family-friendly event is a real treat for all ages!
- Meet new local legends in our pumpkin Long Island Hall of Fame
- Commemorate the Day of the Dead with our jack o'lantern tribute
- Watch as our Pumpkin Pals twirl on a working Ferris wheel
- Celebrate any occasion with our new Celebration Arch
- Gaze in wonder at the Pumpkin Planterium, and find your favorite classic Hollywood monster
- Watch LIVE pumpkin carving every night
- Be awed by giant 100+ pound carved Prizewinner pumpkins
- Stop by Café Blaze for favorites like cider donuts and pumpkin beer
- Browse the Blaze Boo-tique to find exclusive souvenirs and local delights
For tickets and information, visit:
SKYLARK'S PRAYER OF THE WEEK
Dear God,
Please guide and protect us into a new season as we embrace change. Amen.
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SKYLARK'S INSPIRATIONAL QUOTE OF THE WEEK
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SKYLARK'S HIGHLIGHT OF THE WEEK
Jimmy Carter turned 100 on Tuesday, marking another milestone for the former president who is the longest living commander-in-chief in U.S. history.
He was born James Earl Carter Jr. on Oct. 1, 1924, in Plains, Georgia, and still resides there today. A Democrat known for his early career as a peanut farmer, Carter was elected a state senator and the governor of Georgia before serving as the nation's 39th president from 1977 to 1981.
Happy Birthday!
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SKYLARK'S QUESTION OF THE WEEK
What do you love about Autum?
Please put your answer in the Reply bubble at the bottom of this newsletter next to the Heart. I would love to hear from you. Thank you.
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SKYLARK'S SONG OF THE WEEK - THE AUTUMN LEAVES by EVA CASSIDY
LYRICS
The falling leaves
Drift by the window
The autumn leaves
Of red and gold
I see your lips
The summer kisses
The sun-burned hands
I used to hold
Since you went away
The days grow long
And soon I'll hear
Old winter's song
But I miss you most of all, my darling
When autumn leaves
Start to fall
Since you went away
The days grow long
And soon I'll hear
Old winter's song
But I miss you most of all, my darling
When autumn leaves
Start to fall
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ABOUT MY BRAND, SKYLARK LIVE
My Brand - Skylark Live was born out of my turning 60 and noticing a profound shift in this age. I wanted to talk about it and share what I was experiencing with the hope of helping other women as well. My brand consists of a weekly newsletter and a monthly vlog designed to motivate and inspire women over 60 to thrive in older age through knowledge and self-awareness. I’m in the process of formulating in-person presentations called The Skylark Sessions. These can be conducted in someone’s home, local library, or senior center.
My Weekly Newsletter - My weekly newsletter, Skylark Live Town News, features articles about human interest, nature, general observations, inspiration, motivation, music, places I've been to, and ideas I want to explore. I represent Bay Shore and towns beyond. There is also a calendar of events. I throw in Italian words, too, because I love the language and all things Italian. Bella Italia! As a paying subscriber, you will receive my newsletter each Wednesday morning in your email. That gives you a head's up. You can also advertise your business or event on my newsletter. Just click this link to subscribe: For updates, subscribe to our free newsletter!
My Monthly Vlog - My first Monday-of-the month vlog, 60 and Beyond with Skylark, is a recap of what I've written about in my newsletters throughout the previous month. Then, I introduce a unique topic for the current month's vlog. My vlog is recorded and posted on my YouTube channel as well as on my Patreon account and my social media sites. Just click my YouTube channel link below to subscribe: www.youtube.com/@christineskylark
WHERE TO SUPPORT AND FOLLOW ME
Support me on Patreon - This is where you can support my brand for just $5 a month. This enables me to carve out time to write my newsletters, create my vlogs and to expand my brand. Just click the link below: www.patreon.com/SkylarkLive
Follow me on Social Media - You can follow me on Facebook, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn under my brand, Skylark Live.
Thank you for your love and support! Grazie per il vostro amore e sostegno!
