Zphx
@zphx2.bsky.social
Vermonter following H.D. Thoreau 170 years ago today.
A Book of the Seasons, https://ztonephruit.blogspot.com/search/label/BOS
A Book of the Seasons, https://ztonephruit.blogspot.com/search/label/BOS
Hemisphere of moss
looks as if covers a stone –
yet nothing but moss.
HDT ~ December 1, 1850
tinyurl.com/hdt-501201
looks as if covers a stone –
yet nothing but moss.
HDT ~ December 1, 1850
tinyurl.com/hdt-501201
A little green hemisphere of moss.
December 1 It is quite mild and pleasant to-day. December 1, 2025 I saw a little green hemisphere of moss which looked as if it covered ...
tinyurl.com
December 1, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Hemisphere of moss
looks as if covers a stone –
yet nothing but moss.
HDT ~ December 1, 1850
tinyurl.com/hdt-501201
looks as if covers a stone –
yet nothing but moss.
HDT ~ December 1, 1850
tinyurl.com/hdt-501201
I hear the faintest
quivet from a nuthatch – quite
near me on a pine.
HDT ~ December 1, 1857
tinyurl.com/hdt-571201
quivet from a nuthatch – quite
near me on a pine.
HDT ~ December 1, 1857
tinyurl.com/hdt-571201
I hear the faintest possible quivet from a nuthatch, quite near me.
December 1 P. M. —Walking in Ebby Hubbard's woods, I hear a red squirrel barking at me amid the pine and oak tops, and now I see him cou...
tinyurl.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:06 PM
I hear the faintest
quivet from a nuthatch – quite
near me on a pine.
HDT ~ December 1, 1857
tinyurl.com/hdt-571201
quivet from a nuthatch – quite
near me on a pine.
HDT ~ December 1, 1857
tinyurl.com/hdt-571201
An old cellar hole.
I sit on the stump of an
oak which once grew here.
HDT ~ November 30, 1851
tinyurl.com/HDT511130
I sit on the stump of an
oak which once grew here.
HDT ~ November 30, 1851
tinyurl.com/HDT511130
My eye rested with pleasure on the white pines.
November 30 A cold afternoon windy with some snow not yet melted on the ground. My eye wanders as I sit on an oak stump by an old cellar-ho...
tinyurl.com
November 30, 2025 at 3:57 PM
An old cellar hole.
I sit on the stump of an
oak which once grew here.
HDT ~ November 30, 1851
tinyurl.com/HDT511130
I sit on the stump of an
oak which once grew here.
HDT ~ November 30, 1851
tinyurl.com/HDT511130
First snow this morning
after a remarkably
pleasant November.
HDT ~ November 28, 1856
tinyurl.com/hdt-561129
after a remarkably
pleasant November.
HDT ~ November 28, 1856
tinyurl.com/hdt-561129
First snow after a remarkably pleasant November.
First Snow November 29 Begins to snow this morning and snows slowly and interruptedly with a little fine hail all day till it is sever...
tinyurl.com
November 29, 2025 at 3:33 PM
First snow this morning
after a remarkably
pleasant November.
HDT ~ November 28, 1856
tinyurl.com/hdt-561129
after a remarkably
pleasant November.
HDT ~ November 28, 1856
tinyurl.com/hdt-561129
So sudden a change –
the russet earth painted white
to the horizon.
I cannot now walk
without leaving tracks behind.
HDT ~ November 28, 1858
tinyurl.com/hdt-581128
the russet earth painted white
to the horizon.
I cannot now walk
without leaving tracks behind.
HDT ~ November 28, 1858
tinyurl.com/hdt-581128
Do we know of any other so silent and sudden a change?
November 28 A gray, overcast, still day, and more small birds —tree sparrows and chickadees — than usual about the house. November 28, ...
tinyurl.com
November 28, 2025 at 9:25 PM
So sudden a change –
the russet earth painted white
to the horizon.
I cannot now walk
without leaving tracks behind.
HDT ~ November 28, 1858
tinyurl.com/hdt-581128
the russet earth painted white
to the horizon.
I cannot now walk
without leaving tracks behind.
HDT ~ November 28, 1858
tinyurl.com/hdt-581128
Days are short – the sun
setting before I reach the
limit of my walk.
HDT ~ November 27, 1853
setting before I reach the
limit of my walk.
HDT ~ November 27, 1853
November 27, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Days are short – the sun
setting before I reach the
limit of my walk.
HDT ~ November 27, 1853
setting before I reach the
limit of my walk.
HDT ~ November 27, 1853
Little to be heard
along the river but sedge
rustling on the brink.
HDT ~ November 27, 1855
along the river but sedge
rustling on the brink.
HDT ~ November 27, 1855
November 27, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Little to be heard
along the river but sedge
rustling on the brink.
HDT ~ November 27, 1855
along the river but sedge
rustling on the brink.
HDT ~ November 27, 1855
Five toes on each foot,
long sharp-nose, black incisors –
what that little mouse?
HDT ~ November 26, 1854
tinyurl.com/hdt-541126
long sharp-nose, black incisors –
what that little mouse?
HDT ~ November 26, 1854
tinyurl.com/hdt-541126
That little long-sharp-nosed mouse in the Walden road.
November 26 What that little long-sharp-nosed mouse I found in the Walden road to-day? Brown above, gray beneath, black incisors, five toe...
tinyurl.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Five toes on each foot,
long sharp-nose, black incisors –
what that little mouse?
HDT ~ November 26, 1854
tinyurl.com/hdt-541126
long sharp-nose, black incisors –
what that little mouse?
HDT ~ November 26, 1854
tinyurl.com/hdt-541126
Just as the sun shines
our Creator breathes on us
and re-creates us.
HDT ~ November 25, 1850
our Creator breathes on us
and re-creates us.
HDT ~ November 25, 1850
November 25, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Just as the sun shines
our Creator breathes on us
and re-creates us.
HDT ~ November 25, 1850
our Creator breathes on us
and re-creates us.
HDT ~ November 25, 1850
Snow sugars the ground
to reveal a cow-path in
the distant landscape.
HDT ~ November 24, 1858
to reveal a cow-path in
the distant landscape.
HDT ~ November 24, 1858
November 24, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Snow sugars the ground
to reveal a cow-path in
the distant landscape.
HDT ~ November 24, 1858
to reveal a cow-path in
the distant landscape.
HDT ~ November 24, 1858
A pond in the woods
unexpectedly frozen –
I walk across it.
HDT ~ November 23, 1850
unexpectedly frozen –
I walk across it.
HDT ~ November 23, 1850
November 23, 2025 at 1:22 PM
A pond in the woods
unexpectedly frozen –
I walk across it.
HDT ~ November 23, 1850
unexpectedly frozen –
I walk across it.
HDT ~ November 23, 1850
November's bare bleak
inaccessible beauty
seen through a clear air.
HDT ~ November 22, 1860
tinyurl.com/hdt-601122
inaccessible beauty
seen through a clear air.
HDT ~ November 22, 1860
tinyurl.com/hdt-601122
This is a very beautiful November day
November 22 This is a very beautiful November day, - a cool but clear, crystalline air. It is a day to behold and to ramble over the hard ...
tinyurl.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:45 PM
November's bare bleak
inaccessible beauty
seen through a clear air.
HDT ~ November 22, 1860
tinyurl.com/hdt-601122
inaccessible beauty
seen through a clear air.
HDT ~ November 22, 1860
tinyurl.com/hdt-601122
Two little dippers
one up-stream, the other down –
still, overcast day.
HDT ~ November 21, 1858
tinyurl.com/hdt-dipper
one up-stream, the other down –
still, overcast day.
HDT ~ November 21, 1858
tinyurl.com/hdt-dipper
A Book of the Seasons: the Little Dipper
I would make a chart of our life, know why just this circle of creatures completes the world. Henry Thoreau, April 18, 1852 The “Little Dip...
tinyurl.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Two little dippers
one up-stream, the other down –
still, overcast day.
HDT ~ November 21, 1858
tinyurl.com/hdt-dipper
one up-stream, the other down –
still, overcast day.
HDT ~ November 21, 1858
tinyurl.com/hdt-dipper
Rounded white petals
of yarrow above the snow –
perfect, cold and chaste.
HDT ~ November 18, 1855
tinyurl.com/hdt-551118
of yarrow above the snow –
perfect, cold and chaste.
HDT ~ November 18, 1855
tinyurl.com/hdt-551118
The stubble and numerous withered weeds rising above the snow.
November 18 About an inch of snow fell last night, but the ground was not at all frozen or prepared for it. A little greener grass and stu...
tinyurl.com
November 18, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Rounded white petals
of yarrow above the snow –
perfect, cold and chaste.
HDT ~ November 18, 1855
tinyurl.com/hdt-551118
of yarrow above the snow –
perfect, cold and chaste.
HDT ~ November 18, 1855
tinyurl.com/hdt-551118
I now take notice
of the green polypody
and the other ferns.
HDT ~ November 16, 1853
tinyurl.com/hdt-531116
of the green polypody
and the other ferns.
HDT ~ November 16, 1853
tinyurl.com/hdt-531116
I admire the fine blue color of the cedar berries.
November 16 I now take notice of the green polypody on the rock. P. M. – To Nawshawtuct by boat with Sophia, up Assabet. The river still hi...
tinyurl.com
November 16, 2025 at 2:03 PM
I now take notice
of the green polypody
and the other ferns.
HDT ~ November 16, 1853
tinyurl.com/hdt-531116
of the green polypody
and the other ferns.
HDT ~ November 16, 1853
tinyurl.com/hdt-531116
I go to look for
the evergreen ferns before
they are covered up.
HDT ~ November 15, 1858
tinyurl.com/hdt-581115
the evergreen ferns before
they are covered up.
HDT ~ November 15, 1858
tinyurl.com/hdt-581115
Buds and twigs and the mazes made by twigs in the silvery November light
November 15 . P. M. — To Grackle Swamp. A very fine snow falling, just enough to whiten the bare spots a little. November 15, 2023 I go ...
tinyurl.com
November 15, 2025 at 9:57 PM
I go to look for
the evergreen ferns before
they are covered up.
HDT ~ November 15, 1858
tinyurl.com/hdt-581115
the evergreen ferns before
they are covered up.
HDT ~ November 15, 1858
tinyurl.com/hdt-581115
Geese in three harrows
gradually shift to one –
now out of sight.
HDT ~ November 13, 1855
tinyurl.com/hdt-551113
gradually shift to one –
now out of sight.
HDT ~ November 13, 1855
tinyurl.com/hdt-551113
Seventy or eighty geese, in three harrows.
November 13 In mid-forenoon, seventy or eighty geese, in three harrows successively smaller, flying southwest—pretty well west—over the hou...
tinyurl.com
November 13, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Geese in three harrows
gradually shift to one –
now out of sight.
HDT ~ November 13, 1855
tinyurl.com/hdt-551113
gradually shift to one –
now out of sight.
HDT ~ November 13, 1855
tinyurl.com/hdt-551113
Now is there nothing
but the echo of your steps
over frozen ground.
HDT ~ November 13, 1851
tinyurl.com/hdt51113
but the echo of your steps
over frozen ground.
HDT ~ November 13, 1851
tinyurl.com/hdt51113
What avails you now the fire you stole from heaven?
November 13 To Fair Haven Hill. A cold and dark afternoon, the sun being behind clouds in the west. The landscape is barren of objects,...
tinyurl.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Now is there nothing
but the echo of your steps
over frozen ground.
HDT ~ November 13, 1851
tinyurl.com/hdt51113
but the echo of your steps
over frozen ground.
HDT ~ November 13, 1851
tinyurl.com/hdt51113
A narrow white cloud
resting on every mountain
in the horizon.
HDT ~ Novemmber 12, 1852
tinyurl.com/hdt-521112
resting on every mountain
in the horizon.
HDT ~ Novemmber 12, 1852
tinyurl.com/hdt-521112
A narrow white cloud resting on every mountain
November 12. It clears up. A very bright rainbow. Three reds and greens, in the southeast, heightening the green of the pines. From Fai...
tinyurl.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:00 PM
A narrow white cloud
resting on every mountain
in the horizon.
HDT ~ Novemmber 12, 1852
tinyurl.com/hdt-521112
resting on every mountain
in the horizon.
HDT ~ Novemmber 12, 1852
tinyurl.com/hdt-521112
And the coarse rustling
sedge now completely withered
pleasantly whispers.
HDT ~ November 11, 1855
tinyurl.com/hdt-551111
sedge now completely withered
pleasantly whispers.
HDT ~ November 11, 1855
tinyurl.com/hdt-551111
The brittle light-brown twigs of the black willow
November 11 P.M. — Up Assabet. As long as the sun is out, it is warm and pleasant. The water is smooth. I see the reflections, not...
tinyurl.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:12 PM
And the coarse rustling
sedge now completely withered
pleasantly whispers.
HDT ~ November 11, 1855
tinyurl.com/hdt-551111
sedge now completely withered
pleasantly whispers.
HDT ~ November 11, 1855
tinyurl.com/hdt-551111
Now a new season –
russet earth and withered leaf.
Bare twigs – November.
HDT ~ November 10, 1858
tinyurl.com/HDT581110
russet earth and withered leaf.
Bare twigs – November.
HDT ~ November 10, 1858
tinyurl.com/HDT581110
The pure November season.
November 10 November 10, 2023 A pleasant day, especially the forenoon. Thermometer 46° at noon. Some would call it Indian summer, but it do...
tinyurl.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Now a new season –
russet earth and withered leaf.
Bare twigs – November.
HDT ~ November 10, 1858
tinyurl.com/HDT581110
russet earth and withered leaf.
Bare twigs – November.
HDT ~ November 10, 1858
tinyurl.com/HDT581110
As now the bell rings
and volumes of sound make the
tent in which I dwell
I would so state facts
that shall be significant
and mythologic –
facts to frame and tell
who I am, where I have been
or what I have thought
facts the mind perceived
thoughts the body thought.
HDT ~ November 9, 1851
and volumes of sound make the
tent in which I dwell
I would so state facts
that shall be significant
and mythologic –
facts to frame and tell
who I am, where I have been
or what I have thought
facts the mind perceived
thoughts the body thought.
HDT ~ November 9, 1851
November 9, 2025 at 2:50 PM
As now the bell rings
and volumes of sound make the
tent in which I dwell
I would so state facts
that shall be significant
and mythologic –
facts to frame and tell
who I am, where I have been
or what I have thought
facts the mind perceived
thoughts the body thought.
HDT ~ November 9, 1851
and volumes of sound make the
tent in which I dwell
I would so state facts
that shall be significant
and mythologic –
facts to frame and tell
who I am, where I have been
or what I have thought
facts the mind perceived
thoughts the body thought.
HDT ~ November 9, 1851
A clear cold morning
walking with hands in pockets –
the sun far southward.
HDT ~ November 7, 1853
walking with hands in pockets –
the sun far southward.
HDT ~ November 7, 1853
November 7, 2025 at 12:41 PM
A clear cold morning
walking with hands in pockets –
the sun far southward.
HDT ~ November 7, 1853
walking with hands in pockets –
the sun far southward.
HDT ~ November 7, 1853
I see shepherd’s-purse,
hedge-mustard, and red clover
— November flowers.
HDT ~ November 5, 1855
tinyurl.com/hdt-18551105
hedge-mustard, and red clover
— November flowers.
HDT ~ November 5, 1855
tinyurl.com/hdt-18551105
The brightness of the foliage generally ceased pretty exactly with October
November 5 P. M. -- To foot of Fair Haven Hill via Hubbard’s Grove. I see the shepherd’s-purse, hedge-mustard, and red clover, — Novemb...
tinyurl.com
November 5, 2025 at 1:16 PM
I see shepherd’s-purse,
hedge-mustard, and red clover
— November flowers.
HDT ~ November 5, 1855
tinyurl.com/hdt-18551105
hedge-mustard, and red clover
— November flowers.
HDT ~ November 5, 1855
tinyurl.com/hdt-18551105