Oh, beauty! Did you ever open your eyes to the morning light and instinctively know it was going to be a great day? The weather could not have been any more perfect for November, the bonus hour we gained from falling back made it even sweeter! This part of the country subscribes to the Spring forward, Fall back with our clocks. I will admit it, I have such a love/hate relationship with Autumn. It is with great love that I say this for today is autumn, however, soon, winter will be upon me. But, that is a story for me to worry about another day. Today is my #BeautifulSunday hosted by @ace108. You can read his post here.

I set out on a hike through the Shenandoah Valley, the earthy smell of leaves subdued by apple, the sweetness of the decomposing fruit permeating the air. Did I already say the weather could not have been any more perfect today? It looked cold out, but the sun gently touched my face, caressing my cheeks with her warmth. The leaves crunched under my feet as I made my way to a vantage point, looking down upon the valley. The beauty of the colors, the smells mingling together, the farms and the autumn, creating a unique emotional response from my soul.

The enigmatic peak of the colorful glory in the Shenandoah National Park has come - and some of it is already gone. Some have faded or taken to blowing the way of the wind, gently cascading on the mountaintops, but, it was still worthy of another look-see. Soon, we will hear old winter's song, but, just for the moment, the hills are alive with color.

Oh, to dance to the rhythm of the wind. Leaves swaying in the breeze. It speaks of days ahead, yet there is no warmth in her words.

The leaves are backlit by the afternoon sun. A brilliant shade of beautiful.

It's raining sunshine on this beautiful Autumn moment, the day is dripping in living color.

At the last moment, I decided to go have coffee with my dad, so, I picked up a verboten Starbucks Skinny Latte and started meandering through Arlington Cemetery, weaving my way through the canopy of oaks crisscrossing the roadway. The trees have started to let go of some leaves, the rain was torrential last night, but, there are no tell-tale signs of it today, save for the few leaves blowing around. The beauty of this moment does not escape me. Coffee and a tête-à-tête with my dad, I would say that makes it a #SublimeSunday hosted by @c0ff33a. You can read his post here.

I can see the leaves blowing to the ground, reminding me that Mother Nature’s cycles are mirrored in our lives. Autumn is a time for letting go. Releasing all those things that have been a burden.

I am out of words, yet my mind never stops. I turn in place and am taken yet again by the magnitude of this place, Arlington Cemetery. It overwhelms me, yet draws me close each and every time.

Cannon fire boomed across the cemetery, shattering the peace of the moment — at Arlington National Cemetery.

"Planted firmly on the high pinnacle of American faith, the gently fluttering folds are an inspiration of things that can be"

Thank you for stopping by and sharing my #BeautifulSunday and #SublimeSunday with a side of a #Funkyedit. Have a wonderful week ahead!

They want to be picked. They yearn to be loved. Shouldn't we all want to be? There must be a flower. Always a flower. A little bit of a #funkyedit by @krazypoet

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¸.♥´¸.•♥¨) Let the sun shine in on your life
So the joy may touch your soul
(¸.•´♥ (¸.•´ ♥

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So, stop, have a glass of refreshments and let us take in the rest of the day's glory while we can. Today was a most beautiful day, filled with sunshine and happiness - with a side of sublime. Happy #BeautifulSunday! Sublimely so!