seasons

 

I am starting to see evidence that summer is fading and autumn is arriving. This morning on my walk, I noticed a definite coolness in the air. The sky has been overcast and reminding me of Germany, a past  season of life for us that I recall most affectionately.

The colors are changing hue from bright green to browns and oranges. The seasons are reminding me that life changes seasons too. Sometimes it is sad to leave a season behind, especially when the one ahead is so uncertain. But as surely as summer must come to an end and fall will take its place with new yet different beauty, so too can our new seasons in life bring a beauty better than we could have hoped. Trust in God and His perfect timing in all things is my current mantra.

I pass this locked box on a utility pole every day and I wonder what it is and if it is still useful. 

So many berries are on the bushes and trees. God in His goodness is providing the birds and other animals with nourishment. How much more does He provide for us? Do I recognize this always? Sadly, I must answer that I forget way too often. The berries were a good reminder this morning.

On a side note, there is an elderly gentleman that sits in his motorized wheelchair in his driveway and waves and says 'hello' to me most days. I had a lovely flashback to my childhood days when, instead of seeing him in the driveway, I saw him rolling down the road with an orange safety flag flapping in the breeze. I was instantly transported back to my childhood street with all the neighbor kids, my orange flag attached to the back wheel of  my bike with the banana seat and high handle bars. I loved riding my bike and the freedom I felt as the breeze washed over me. I wonder if the older gentleman felt that same freedom as he left his driveway and took off down the street. I hope so.

Another sign of fall's approach is the common sighting of a squirrel with a huge acorn in its mouth, running hither and thither in the yard. Yesterday, he was chirping at me for being in his path. It is true that God provides for the smallest of creatures, and at the same time, He has made them so they know to gather what is provided to save for the cold, barren winter ahead. How do they know? 

The grape vine is in our yard. I don't know what variety they are, but I feel sure we have missed the proper time for harvesting them. I will leave them for the birds and squirrels.

In my photography reading this week, one of the things I read was about photographing the same thing from different perspectives. The next three photos are of the same plant. It is amazing how each one creates a unique feeling.

I have stood on this tree stump many a time all summer long. With all that life is throwing at me at the moment, I have not been out to the lake much in the last few weeks. What an amazing sight! Is that lichen? It is clothing that old stump quite elegantly in my opinion.

And now, I must return to the world of laundry and bathrooms in need of some scrubbing. I hope your weekend is lovely, whatever it may bring.