change

Autumn

Backstory

I’ve missed sharing with you on Sunday mornings. So today, with the changing seasons in mind, this story is sent from the Consider This archives.

Click to listen or follow below to read.

Autumn

As I write this for you, the mountains are still gleaming green, as they have, all summer. It’s September, but the tones of autumn have not yet touched the leaves.

Soon, they will lose their summer strength and then EXPLODE with the colors of fall. Such a special time, here in the valley. Here in the Shenandoah Valley, folks will travel from afar to witness it for the few special days when nature offers this feast of color and spins the air with the fresh fall smell.

Before we know it, the leaves will have fallen and the cold will take over. Sharp breezes and stinging winds and rain and snow. There will be winter days of dazzling, ice-covered beauty and days of danger and inconvenience as snow interferes with daily comings and goings.

And just when we’ve had enough, those tiny croci will stick their heads up, sometimes from under the snow, with their promise of springtime. And suddenly, before you know it, the world comes to life again in full spring glory.

What a miracle. And it happens, year in and year out. It sweeps through holidays and vacations and visits and events. I never get tired of the progression. I love it, look forward to it, plan for it. Because we can always be assured, it will happen again, ready or not.

P.S.

“If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant: if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome.” Early American poet, Anne Bradstreet

[Show #630]

As Summer Moves On

Backstory

Another post-pandemic summer has spun by. Did you get to enjoy it? Mother Nature was on a turbulent ride with wildfires up north, record heat down south, inflation dampening budgets, and unfulfilled airline promises causing disruption. And yet, somehow, July and August wound down fast, and here we are, ready to jump into autumn. It got me thinking.

As Summer Moves On

Summer always seems to end too soon. We’re watching flowers blossom and bloom, birds and bees are doing their thing, and suddenly one day we see that an early tree is losing its leaves. The deep shades of green on the landscape are fading, the grass is taking on a golden tone. It seems to be Mother Nature’s reminder that nothing lasts forever.

No longer can we head out the door barefoot and jacketless. Now the autumn weather requires preparation and thought to keep from being caught somewhere cold and damp. The autumn breeze that cools things down also sets the scene for other changes. New teachers, new schools, new subjects to study, new wardrobes, and new political or philosophical considerations. New friends require rethinking. Some of the values you carried in light of their newly expressed values.

Organizations restart up their activities after the summer hiatus. And you have to choose where you will volunteer and what next year’s passion will be.

And then there is the big issue of balance between work, family, church, community service and your own social life. There may be a new love in your coming winter or a new hobby, or a new favorite haunt.

So much to look forward to that you almost forgive summer for moving on.

P.S. Thanks for being here so many Sunday mornings, reading or listening to these stories. Consider making a comment at the end. Always love to hear from you.

[Show #539]

I Had To Sell My House

I had to sell my house! I loved that house. It’s on the river, with views of the mountains, in a wonderful community where people care about each other and help each other.

I lived there for more than a decade and had set down roots. But things changed, and it was time to live elsewhere.

I moved everything out and looked at the bare walls. They looked good and had fared well.

One year, I decided to turn the rest room into a stunning oasis. I built in lighted glass shelves to spotlight treasures that I could change every month or so. Wallpaper set the theme, enhanced by crown molding and pewter side lamps. I added a beautiful antique mirror. The floor was laid with marble tiles and a furniture quality vanity was installed, with granite top. It all blended beautifully. I so enjoyed the feeling of that small, lovely space.

Sliding doors to the deck were replaced with romantic French doors. Shelves were added for displaying my teapot collection. I could see myself in every nook and cranny of the house. I had made it my own. And now, it was passing into new hands. How would it be treated?

Would the next family know joy and happiness here? Would they replace my version of beauty with themes of their own? Of course they will. And I am so happy for them.

[Show #530]