Written by For our prompt of “Shorebird” today, I sketched a little family of piping plovers. I was watching videos of the little baby chicks running across the shoreline and it was super cute. They seemed so curious and excited to explore the world, but would always dash back to mom when the waves crashed a bit too loudly. That’s what mothers are for, after all. It was super sunny here today, though still no ocean in sight where I live. It’s also quite warm and will be tomorrow as well, but then those in the know say the temperatures will be suddenly dropping to something with a more autumnal feel. I’m super excited for this change as I adore fall and the cooler temperatures that it brings. I adore the changing seasons as they always remind me that no matter what crazy thing is currently happening in the world, some things can always be relied upon. And having something that one can count on is one of the most precious gifts on earth.
Philippe and I have already started going to bed a bit earlier, barely waiting for the sun to set. Soon, we’ll miss that extra bit of light, but for the next few months it’s rather awesome. It will mark the return of cuddle season once more, which is always lovely. Not that cuddles don’t occur the rest of the year, of course, it’s just that they happen more often. Even our dog Phineas, who isn’t one to enjoy much cuddling, gets a little closer as the weather gets cooler. And though there are still a few more days until the official start of autumn, I’m hoping this change in the weather means we’ll get things going a bit early. Of course, it can all change again overnight, as the weather has a tedious habit a being a touch less reliable here. But, I’m ready for longer walks in the cooler air, warm drinks, and the awesome things that Philippe cooks this time of year. Yes, whatever he makes always tastes awesome, but a host of savory soups will be returning to the menu, and I can already taste them!
We’ve a holiday tomorrow, so that means one extra day of the weekend. That makes me super happy as well. I really wasn’t quite ready to return to work tomorrow. I’m enjoying a bit of relaxation and honestly feeling a touch lazy. Not in a way that feels reckless, but in a perfect way that feels like it’s exactly what should be happening right now. I know I’ve needed a bit more of a break than I’ve been taking lately, so this has finally become my moment to recharge a bit. It’s always clear when a phone battery is going dead, but when my own is flashing red, I often ignore it and just push on. This isn’t really a very productive approach. So, rather than plugging in, I’ve unplugged a bit and it’s been rather exhilarating. My battery is starting to head back to green now. One more day and I’m sure to have a full charge. And as the weather shifts to my favorite temperatures, I’ll get an extra boost of enthusiasm as well. The light will change, the leaves will turn amazing colors, and once again my little trio will enjoy the sheer joy and happiness that comes from getting cozy.
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You sketched them so perfectly. I saw on TWC that a cold front was coming in up there. Enjoy it! It will be a while before fall reaches us here in Florida but I am looking forward to getting back out in the trails. 😊
Thanks so much, Lisa! 😃💕 Yeah, I’m definitely going to enjoy the cooler weather. It’s so much nicer to go for walks indeed!
I really like waking up to the daylight and I’m not looking forward to the dark, gloomy days of winter. But first there is fall, with late summer weather cooling to crisp autumn winds and bright autumn nights. I do enjoy those!
Yeah, fall is really the best! Winter comes just in time for Christmas, but by New Year’s I’m already over it! hehe 😉
Fantastic Charlie and they are so much fun to watch. Sections of the beach and dunes are marked off so that the nesting areas are left alone so as not to disturb the birds.
Thanks so much, Karen! 😃💕 Aww that’s wonderful that they protect their nesting areas!
Wonderful shorebirds, Charlie! Enjoy that extra day off!!
Thanks so much, Mary!! 😃💕
Good reminder about counting on the change of seasons being something we can depend on! We need to be reminded of good things like that. Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed this, Brenda! 😃💕 Yes, there’s still always something to look forward to!
Hey Charlie those soups sound sooo goooddd I wish Phillippe would post a few recipes. Yum. I love the fall too but then comes The Ugly which even in my Canadian Okanagan hot spot is not so cute. A broken leg did however teach me not to racewalk in a blizzard. Let’s enjoy the long mellow fragrant afternoons. Soon you’ll be sketching Rudolph et al!
Yay for soups!! 😃💕The only recipes I could get him to write up are in the little DO Cook cookbook that we made – https://doodlewash.com/shop/charlie-shop/books-by-charlie-oshields/do-cook-standard-hardcover-edition/ – Yeah, the winter can get a bit too cold, but yay for the holidays!! I can’t wait!
Hola, Charlie! What a wonderful painting! So cute! 💜 Living in South Central Texas, we don’t get clearly defined seasons. Late October is when we cool down, but we never really get cold. On rare occasions that we do get cold-cold, we do NOT like it. Scary cold, which is extremely rare, shuts the city down completely. Literally shut down. We’re pretty lame when it comes to cold weather. 😂 I will be honest, change of season like now, makes me sad. Going into the darker season of the year makes me sad. Once it changes, I am okay, but the switch over always gets me. Plus, I don’t have anyone to cuddle with. haha haha haha Maybe when I do have a cuddle partner, I will cheer for cold weather! 😀😀😀
Random comment: I was watching Oliver the Beagle and I thought of you. Oliver is like 4 or 5 years old, but his owner always titles the videos “Beagle Puppy.” haha haha 🐕🐕🐕 They just moved to San Francisco and Oliver is homesick. He looks sad. Poor thing.
Enjoy your extra day! 🌞🌞🌞
Thanks so much, Marisela! 😃💕 Yeah, anything really cold down there would get a bit weird. Even where my mom lives in north Texas will shut down when it snows! And true, when you get that cuddle partner those seasons will be different indeed. 😉 And yes! I watched some of Oliver… it’s just the cutest!!
haha haha I share WAY TOO MUCH on this blog. haha haha haha Now everyone knows that I was injured, an only child, my dog Monster, I rubber stamp, and now that I am single! haha haha I am an open book! 😋😋
Charlie, are you a TEXAN? Eres Tejano?
That’s what this blog is all about! Sharing stories! 😉 And no, I’m not a Texan. I’ve lived in Kansas City my whole life, but my parents left home when I was 18 and moved to Wichita Falls.
Lovely painting…and I don’t relish autumn as it signals to me winter is also coming…Yet the fall with all its color and freshness, like spring…is a good reminder that there are some things you can count on to happen no matter what else is going on in the world…Reassuring to say the least…Enjoy your day off and try to remember to recharge your batteries as you can’t doing anything running on empty!! God bless😊
Thanks so much, Priscilla! 😃💕 Yeah, fall is my fave, as it’s still not too cold here. Winter is fun for about a day and then I’m over it! hehe
I adore your little piping plovers! Have you ever seen that cartoon with the pp running with the waves? Here’s a preview.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PVYjvDKlV-w
You’re right, fall foods are good. I’m already thinking of chili and scalloped potatoes. But summer didn’t stick around nearly long enough for me. I was telling a friend that two more months of it would be about perfect.
Thanks so much, Lisa! 😃💕 Yes! I love that short… it’s so sweet! Yeah… our summer was mild, so I was okay with it sticking around, but today was really warm so I’m over it! lol
I went for a ride to our local nature reserve on Sunday morning and was watching shorebirds in the flesh, or feather. I love the Autumn. My morning cycle to work is getting a bit chilly already. Great doodle.
Thanks so much, Gary! 😃💕 Aww that sounds like a wonderful ride and place to be indeed!
Lovely family of piping plovers!
Thanks so much, Fatima! 😃💕
Hello Charlie,
Lovely Doodlewash as usual! I specially like the little chicks. Im slightly jealous that Autumn is just round the corner where you are. Here in Mumbai, we have what feels like a perpetual summer. Your post brought back lovely childhood memories. We lived in NYC and Fall meant walks with Dad on cool Friday evenings. We always came back with a pack of fresh warm honey-roasted peanuts and a bouquet of leaves of brilliant colors for Mom. 🙂 Your posts always bring back the sweetest memories. Thanks so much Charlie!
Love,
Mugdha
Thanks so much, Mugdha! 😃💕 Aww that’s wonderful that you got to experience an NYC fall. We have very similar weather where I live. It’s lovely in the autumn. Those sound like beautiful memories indeed!!
We have Plovers on the Oregon coast. They are fun to watch, running back and forth. I am so ready for a change in the weather, unfortunately no cooler days or rain. Only thing returning is an unusual high wind storm this afternoon. Not good for all our fires.
That’s so wonderful you have plovers there. I would love to sit and watch them. Ugh on the high wind storm… here’s hoping for cooler days and rain! 😃💕
Great plovers👌 I too love autumn, the beautiful colours it brings, and the reminder that things are always changing.
Thanks so much, Kellie! 😃💕 Yay for the beautiful colors of autumn coming soon!