THE SPRUCE TREE JOURNAL

A place of refuge, a time of peace, a message of hope.

Octoberr 2025

It’s October! Welcome to the month of comfortable days and chilly nights, apple pies, and colorful Autumn leaves - New England style. Besides the usual columns in this issue, I added the October Outdoor Almanac from Audubon of expected nature highlights, and a chart of Celestial Events from Surveee giving the dates for some cool astronomical stuff happening over our heads at night. Get outside and enjoy!

Blog

Autumn Gold

Low on the western horizon, the sun’s normally harsh rays, now soft and tired, give a warm glow to the acres and acres of Goldenrod. I stand in the middle of this field, if indeed it is the middle as no matter which direction I look, a sea of gold surrounds me. The thrum of thousands of honeybees and bumblebees and other insects fill the evening sky just above the golden waves, as each flit from flower to flower gathering pollen and nectar to store in their own home treasuries. The Goldenrod is freely giving itself away.

Monthly Mantra

Speak only when words are more beautiful than silence.

Abi ibn Abi Talib

Something to remind yourself every day.

Word Search

Be aware of this month's word manifestation during your travels over the next few weeks.

Saudade /sou da də/ noun. The feeling one has of longing for something or someone you love which is gone. Borrowed from the Portuguese and Galician languages, it is finding a home in the English lexicon.

I held the old and dusty photo I had found in the attic of me and my dog Mariah, buddies for life - at least in dog years - and felt a deep sense of saudade for those halcyon times exploring new trails.

This Month's Photo

Just Because...

A photo from my files.

Ringed-necked Ducks

Second Helping

Avocado Toast with Fried Eggs, Tomato and Feta Cheese

You can’t go wrong making this for breakfast, although I have often made it for lunch and dinner, too. It pairs well with a fruit bowl, especially one containing oranges. I also suggest a robust hot tea like Irish Breakfast or Earl Grey.

Click the link below for full recipe.

Full Recipe

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More information, including the past Blogs, Second Helping recipes, and my publication history, is found at www.thespurcetreejournal.com.