Image

Author Archive for haley montgomery – Page 9

A World Where There Are Octobers [printable calendar]

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.” ~ Anne Shirley, Anne of Green Gables

I’m glad, too. I think October may be my favorite month, although it’s certainly hard to choose. When the weather cooperates, we get those first few cooler mornings that are such a blessing after Mississippi’s long, hot summers. October’s blue skies are distinct, and the season’s signature goldenrod and golden light always inspire me. At some point, we’ll probably get one of those yellow-orange harvest moons, and I imagine we’ll schedule a s’more-making bonfire. No matter how much summer wants to hang on, the calendar says autumn is here!

As the temperatures slowly drop, if only by a few degrees, everyone’s spirits seem to get lighter. This year, the month ushering in nature’s season of transition also seems to be bringing some transitions to our family. I feel like my heart is juggling health changes for my parents, the ever-changing flux of children growing more independent and, I guess, more themselves, along with the perpetual array of work opportunities – blessings, to be sure – that all require weighing choices. With October, I seem to be on keen alert to notice every hint of change toward the fall days we love. So, I’m excited to look back at a few of my favorite autumn glimpses along with this month’s printable calendar.

Read More →

favorite flânerie . A Detour in Downtown Jackson

I’m heading to Jackson, Mississippi on Saturday for a client strategy meeting, and I’m looking forward to getting a few glimpses of the Capitol City again. My children and I spent a few days in Jackson at the end of the summer and had lots of fun visiting museums, trying out restaurants, and exploring historic downtown. This week, I’ve been looking back through all the photo evidence of our wanderings and thinking about any places I’d like to revisit this weekend. I’m reminded again of all the inspiring textures and colors and materials and art and signs – old and new – found everywhere in an urban downtown. Sometimes, we just have to train our eyes to look.

Read More →

drawing near . Rest and Rising

The weight of the world crowds in. Hopelessless seems to prevail. My own questions and doubts and worries creep into the mix of messages like an enemy slowly advancing, ready to run rampant, claiming any joy and peace as its spoils.

I feel like that sometimes. It’s hard not to when we look at the world portrayed in our news outlets and social media. When I let my emotions get mired in a growing to do list and the din of how others see me. Or, when I allow that cynical prevailing spirit of the day to penetrate my defenses. As I’ve been reading and thinking through Psalm 3 over the last couple of weeks, it’s been comforting and a little freeing, actually, to realize that David felt that way too. The king described as a “man after God’s heart” had these same moments of weight and doubt. I’m not alone.

Read More →

Hello, September! [printable calendar]

New month, new wishful thinking! Over the last few weeks, we’ve finally gotten our typical Mississippi summer heat with temperatures in the upper nineties. It’s a sharp contrast to seeing Fall merchandise showing up in all the stores, and the fun of football season beginning. When I think about September, I always think about acorns. I have a vivid memory of my mother cutting out a big acorn to put on the bulletin board in her third grade classroom, signaling the beginning of the new school year. That was back when we actually started school in September! Now, we’re already a month into our new classes and routines, and wishfully thinking of fall and its fun (and cooler!) days. SO, I decided to lean into the wishes with this month’s calendar download!

Read More →

see . Indianola’s B. B. King Museum

Last summer, we decided to make a trek into the Mississippi Delta for one of the road trips that have begun to signify our summertime experiences. We made a couple of stops along the way to explore, but our true destination was Indianola, in Sunflower County, the town B.B. King considered home. There, he returned to perform for his namesake festival each year and is now memorialized at the B.B. King Museum & Delta Interpretive Center. We wanted to see and learn and experience this legendary Mississippi musician who was so loved by the world – there, where he had been raised. What we found was a world-class experience of music chronicling the part this iconic musician has played in it. Our visit to the B.B. King Museum did not disappoint, and looking back, I’m still enamored by its retelling of the man who’s tonic was the Blues.

Read More →

Divider Footer