Autumn’s Glory Spreads Across the Hills
(John Parris, These Storied Mountains)
Laurel Cove
A tingle runs through the Autumn Air.
The sweet smoke from a wood fire comes down the breeze, and far away a dog barks.
It’s one of those days when the morning opens like an invitation.
The sun slips over the mountain laurel of Cowskull Mountain, shooting long lances to catch the forest
tree-tops.
Along the ridges and in the valleys there’s a hint of things to come.
The hills are beginning to catch fire.
Autumn’s glory is spreading across the land.
The back roads are calling.
The greatest show on earth is just around the corner.
The parade of color has started and the big act is just a couple weeks away.
The woods are beginning to hang out their banners among the maple and poplar, red oak and black.
The sun shines through its autumn tints.
It’s a splendor as American as pumpkin pie.
There is the flickering flame of poison-ivy leaves.
The Virginia creeper is beginning to pour down its molten color.
The soft maples are gold above and silver below.
The beeches are rustling with gilt flakes.
Along the roadside there’s the angry purple of the blackberry leaf.
There’s the russet of the turning grasses where the crickets chant.
As October’s skies grow higher and bluer and deeper, the landscape becomes more and more
splashed with color.
Each day the red and gold and the russet patches more brightly the forest walls.
The dogwood is red with berries.
The viburnums are tinged with purple.
The white-limbed birches are turning gold.
The sourwood, beloved of the bees for the fine honey it makes, glows scarlet.
The white ash is turning mauve and bluish bronze.
The wild hazel is putting on a dress of soft salmon and rose pink.
The fruit of the pokeberry hangs like so many tiny bottles of burgundy.
The signature of autumn’s hand is beginning to show on every tree and bush.
Even the home folks are getting excited by the promise of a flaming world of color.
They will be taking the back roads into the high hills this weekend and each weekend that follows until
the frost and the wind finally put out autumn’s torch.
They will follow the color parade as it marches down from the high places into the valleys.
They’ll walk in an aura of glory on leaf-quilted trails.
Already there’s a spark of flame on a thousand hillsides and in a thousand coves and valleys.
And there’s a tingle in the autumn air that sets the gypsy blood astir.
Today’s Thankful November giveaway is used copy of These Storied Mountains written by John Parris. The book is in pieces because the binding has failed, but is still a joy to read. To be entered in the giveaway leave a comment on this post. Giveaway ends November 17, 2026.
Last night’s video: We Had So Much Fun!
Tipper
Subscribe for FREE and get a daily dose of Appalachia in your inbox
I believe that “Roaming the Mountains” was the first book by John Parris about the mountains. I read it many years ago. I don’t remember the details but I actually spoke to him on the phone once in connection with a school project. He could certainly tell a story!
Beautiful! God bless!
I have always admired people who can paint pictures with words. It is a wonderful gift. And even better when those talents are shared. I’ve shared your mountains this week and seen some of the color that remains. Today I head home with great memories. Thank you again for all you and your family do and share with the world.
The beautiful colors are fading here in my part of the Mountain State. The leaves on our trees are barely hanging on as the fall breezes carry them away…flying through the air just waiting on the little hands of my grandchildren trying their very best to catch them before they touch the ground. It’s a game they love…as they squeal and giggle and run around the yard. Not today though—with the drizzling of rain and the heavy-looking clouds—you can see that winter is just around the corner. ☃️ Snow is in the forecast for today and tomorrow!
I enjoyed this very much! We will read it together today in our school time and probably have to look up some of the trees. I grew up in the high plains, and while that place has its charms, trees are not one of them so I know very little about trees (except that I love them). God bless you all this autumn day!
What a beautiful description, I can just see it now.
Fall is my favorite season of the year. I haven’t been able to make my annual trip to the mountains in a few years. I enjoy seeing the beautiful colors on your videos. I would love the book by John Parris.
John Parris takes me there. I’ve always wanted to do a fall foliage tour. Until I can make that happen, his words will be my transport.
In a few words as possible it was and is perfect for this time of the year.
This blog is a treasure. This fall has been a testament of God’s handiwork as the leaves have been so beautiful. Thanks for all ya’ll do.
God uses the prettiest crayons in the fall. I long ago decided the first 12 days or so of November are my favorite time of year!
My 4 yr old granddaughter is named Laurel, after me Laura, makes me smile.
Fall is such a beautiful time everywhere. Love reading your column. The hills of West Virginia are gorgeous always but especially in the fall.
What a wonderful description of autumn and her beautiful colors on display!
Our hurried world has forgotten how to experience all of God ‘s beauty surrounding us. The speed of our daily lives has robbed us of the ability to close our eyes and envision the descriptive words of a heartfelt poem. John Pariss’ offering above lets our minds soar again.
God’s work, so lovely! I always dream of planting a view with fall color changes in mind.
That was so nice, I read it twice!!! I can totally see how you and Jim are so in love with the written words of John Parris. He totally caught the moment in time we just can’t get enough of. I usually go to town one of 2 directions, depending on if I’m running errands or running by my grandkids homes. Yet, when I plan my return trip, I pick from my more scenic choices. Yes, they’re a bit longer, but this time the trip is for my eyes and my soul. I’m heading home, my happly place. A slow, scenic drive towards that end is my gift to me♡ Prayers, hopes and best wishes to all. Norman, prayers someone in your area will hear of your plumbing issue and help you out. So glad to hear Papaw Tony is on another deer camp trip with Matt♡ Tipper, your girl day trip + 2 was sweet. Thanks for taking me along!!
A body can see, smell, and hear all the beloved words he wrote. Right off, the smoke in the breeze and dog barking took me to the holler of my grandparent’s place. Amazing, isn’t it, that words stir up such emotion. We, right here, on this blog, are proof of it ever single day.
I’m grateful so many of y’all have joined in and have shared your stories. This is what keeps Appalachia/history alive. Even if you’ve never been to the beloved mountains of Appalachia there is something that stirs a soul and is familiar with the stories. Thank you for sharing your story each day and I pray a lot of you will continue to share.
Randy, I will talk to B’s Mamaw this evening and let her know. God bless you, Randy! Your heart shines right off the pages here on the blog. Your kindness is so special to our family! I do believe you’re Heaven sent and an angel among us. God bless you my sweet friend!! They need your prayers as the days are so difficult and heading into the holidays is not easy. You know the pain very well and have a place for them in your tender heart. Thank you praying, although thank you doesn’t seem to be enough.
Meg, the electric canner is a Presto. We never shop box stores much, but somehow we got a whale of deal from Kohls. My husband said I needed that to make life easier. They shipped it to me and total cost was a little over $200. Seems like we got a mailer with a big one time discount off one item. I can’t rightly remember, but it’s worth it’s weight in gold for meat. You give little Wendy girl much love right back!! Babies are such a gift straight from Heaven! I get to meet my new great niece next weekend and I can hardly wait. God is good!
Allie, I do make sock monkeys! I haven’t made any in years, but our oldest daughter asked if I’d make the littles a monkey. Children do love them and each one I make takes on its own little personality as I make it. I stitch a little red heart on them with their initials. A body never knows what I might get into. I had a tattered quilt so one year I made all the children and grandchildren Christmas stockings. They turned out really nice.
Thank you for the book suggestion. I will go to the library today and have them borrow it for me. Catherine, I love books, but especially ones that are wholesome, historical, and just good for our spirit. My brother read a lot and when he would take a book back to the library he’d tell them to hold it for me next. He continued this until he went Home in 2023. I never knew what I might read, but it was typically interesting.
God bless all y’all! May you find many blessings in your day! God is good!
Thank you, Debbie! I will look into that canner. I was asked what I want for Christmas, and that might be it! Enjoy your cuddles with your great niece! Congratulations! We keep Little B’s family in our prayers. I know this season is so painful for y’all and I am sorry! God bless you today and everything that “you get into”! I love that phrase!
Debbie, I think you have me confused with someone else! Seriously Little B got to me in a way I can’t explain with words. From my own experience I think that some of worse days and times for the family come later on after it is all over for everyone else.
I like this. This year our autumn has been warmer and drier than usual. Except for a good rain from the hurricane several weeks ago we have had no rain before or after. We didn’t get enough rain last week to settle the dust from the front that caused the flooding in Georgia. No rain in sight but the warm temperatures are suppose to turn colder starting tonight.
Meg, concerning your reply to me about needs and wants. We got a toy twice a year one at Christmas and sometimes if Daddy got a refund from his income tax. We didn’t get a toy at other times of the year even on our birthday but mother would try to cook something special for us. This taught me to appreciate and take care of the things that I did get that has stayed with me throughout my life. I still use tools and fishing reels along with others things that are over 50 years old. I often use wrenches from a $75 set of Sears Craftsman tools I bought in 1968 with money I made cutting the grass for my church when I was 14 years old. I have lived my life by this moto “Use it but don’t abuse it.” Yesterday I used a Stanley blue fiberglass handle claw hammer I bought for $5 52 years ago right after my marriage. It has scratches on the handle but the face is still as smooth as the day I bought it. It has drove many, many nails. I often think of my Daddy teaching me to never use a claw hammer for a ball pen hammer and don’t use the head of an axe for a sledgehammer.
Thank you, Randy. There is a lot to think about and remember in what you say. Today, we abuse so many of our things and throw them out so we can get new ones (not me personally, but collectively as a society). I try to do as you do and be a good steward of what we are given.