“Gratitude is when memory is stored in the heart and not in the mind.”
Lionel Hampton, Jazz Icon
Those who know me also know that I am an autumnalphile. Ok, so that’s not a real word, but I will still use it without shame. Fall is my favorite season. It signals the end of swampy days and blistering nights. Folks, I welcome “sweater weather” and cooler evenings! Here on the St. Lawrence Seaway we are fortunate to have our fall season start early. It is the second of September and already we can see subtle changes in the temperature. The leaves are starting to turn and the sun is slowly making her southerly dip in the horizon.
Our corner wine bar is a nook where I pay homage to each season, and autumn is no exception. I try to use unique accents that work with our contemporary home design. This year I’ve decorated with items that evoke fond memories and feelings of abundant gratitude.
My Favorite Treasure
My daughter made this paper mache pumpkin cat for me in 1995 when I was stationed at the U.S. Naval Dental Center, Okinawa, Japan. I immediately fell in love with it. And I could tell that my daughter also loved it, by the way she handed it to me. She was beaming with pride. It was a true work of art.
This sweet little gem is worse for the wear after having endured several tours of duty to include Japan, Maryland and New York. But in my mind it is as beautiful as the day she first brought it home to me.
My daughter is the apple of my eye and my best friend. This young lady is smart, funny and has a heart of gold! She is always in my corner and I’m in hers. This pumpkin gives me a sense that she will always be with me, even when she doesn’t live near me. I am grateful for the joy she brings me every day of my life,
Greetings From Our Newest Family Member
This is a greeting card from my much loved son in law! At the time he was our daughter’s fiancé and we had not yet met him in person. We had some video chats and were looking forward to an actual face-to-face meet and greet.
He is an Army officer who is currently deployed overseas. I couldn’t be more proud of and impressed with this young man!
He is thoughtful, kind and smart as Hell. I’m grateful to have him in our family.
Did I mention he is also quite talented? He is a gifted musician and writer. I hope some day he pens down his memoirs for the world to read.
Sisterly Love
In the autumn of 2003, my sister decided she was going to paint miniatures of the four seasons. She is quite talented and I am the lucky recipient of her first in the series. She never completed the set, but I am honored that she knew I would love this; and I do!
The lower right corner is a little ragged from our puppy, who chewed it when he was going through his teething stage!
I get a smile on my face every time I look over and see this sunny pumpkin patch. I live in the northeast and she lives in the southwest, so this tiny work of art is a gentle affirmation that I am very lucky to have someone in my life, albeit from afar, who loves me as I love her.
This Wicker Makes Me Snicker
When I gaze up at this gigantic wicker pumpkin, I think of its original purchase in 2014. We found it at TJ Maxx in Rochester, NY on our way to visit our grandchildren.
I saw it and I just had to have it! My husband, who is a saint, made it all possible. We traveled with this monstrosity stuffed in the back seat of our car for over 20 hours! And every autumn since, I’ve made him lug it all over the house while I try to decide where to place it. This year he dangled atop a rickety ladder to place it above the upper cabinets of the corner wine bar.
This man loves me and has proven numerous times that he will always go the extra mile to make me happy. If that doesn’t make a person abundantly grateful, I guess nothing will. Dragging a huge pumpkin around may seem small, but to me it’s symbolic of all he does to keep me content, comfortable and loved.
It’s not just a corner in my home. It’s a convergence of memories that makes me feel grateful and loved. It’s not about the items I’ve placed there; it’s about the people who gave them to me and the deep appreciation I have for them. I am constantly circling around my house from the kitchen to the dining area to the living room to get my Fitbit steps, so the corner is almost always in my view. I see all these treasures and remember their stories in my heart. They make me smile and know that I am blessed.
Thank you for taking the time to read my blog! – Barb, the River Blogger (Btrb)
The River Blogger 
It takes a great deal of commitment and focus to BE a good person, but an even greater amount of those traits to see the good in others. I can feel the happiness in your words and am glad to have read them! Being sentimental of the people and things you love is just a sign of being a great human.
❤️🤍💙
hey I gave you a little winter picture too. It was blue and had pine trees and said YULE on it. I still have the little canvas so you just might get some new ones someday
Cool post, one autumn-phile to another!
Thank you! It is really chilly outside tonight. Did you fare well with the flooding and storms? I hope so.
Yep, we were ok. Lots of rain, but the worst of the wind seemed to miss us. Thanks for asking!
I’m glad you’re ok.