Lately, I have noticed slight changes on the leaves of trees as they begin to turn from vibrant green to gamboge yellow and even in some areas, there are soft touches of red or orange. Tinges of an approaching change in our panorama of seasons.
To my eyes, there is no more beautiful place to be in the autumn than upper Michigan. I grew up on a small farm nestled amongst the maple covered hills and when the hills took on their autumn apparel it was a sight to behold. The warm glowing colors of red, gold, rust and orange mingled together in a fine tapestry that could only be created by one greater than ourselves.
As a teenager, I loved to take walks in the woods and play among the slowly falling leaves and savor that earthy smell of the woods. Sometimes, I would collect pretty leaves and press them in books or wax them to put on a card to share. A boquet of dried leaves and cattails was always nice to set in a large vase or jar for an indoor touch of Fall.
We are so lucky to live in an area where we have the four seasons, each offering their own special beauty and flavor. I look forward to each one with anticipation. Spring and fall are my favorites but winter is my favored one to paint in pastels, because of the wonderful contrasts. Also, winter recalls to me the joys of childhood and walking in the winter woods after a fresh snowfall. The silence and beauty of fluffy white snowflakes settling lightly upon boughs of evergreen and grasses is almost sacred. Sometimes, fresh rabbit tracks spoke of a woodland visitor greeting the wonderland that lay all about.
I sometimes compare the aging process of people to the changing seasons because they both happen so slowly , before ones eyes, yet they are often not noticed until one day we see them with a new awareness. Life is an ever changing process, each season bringing it's very own special beauty and wonder to be appreciated and savored , whether we speak of seasons or people.
The earth is our playground where we can laugh and dance among the many wonders of creation. The sands of time fall slowly ,but surely, bringing change to each of us and to the earth upon which we dwell as visitors for a little while in God's splendid creation. Enjoy the day!
