30 Word Thursday:: The Leaves Are Gone

Sculptures,

living and strong.

Bare

Open

Naked

Ready for the rigors of winter.

Twisted,

Gnarled,

Reaching Beyond the Earth.

A sign from the grave of winter,

The sculptures will bud.

From Erin's Blog

Treasures Found:: Inspiration is Everywhere

The premise of 30 Words Thursdays is simple...

Take an image (preferably one you shot, or have permission to use).

Write 30 Words about it. No more. No less.

Post it each Thursday.

Add your link to the InLinkz on my 30 Words Thursday post.
(InLinkz code will be open for one week.)
Enjoy seeing what others have captured by visiting them and leaving a comment.

So, it Begins:: 31 Days of Awesome! Today, the Simple Blessings

31 Days of Pure

 AWE-SOME-NESS!

I hope to share with you the PEOPLE & THINGS I think are::

AWESOME!

 

The Simple Blessings

 

"Even in the simple things, the blessings will blind us with their joy or be hidden from our sight.

We must choose to find them and be grateful for each blessing!"

Each morning brings new sights and sounds.  Each day brings a new beginning, a renewal.  What we didn't see yesterday, we can see today with the clarity of morning.  All we need to do is open our hearts to these blessings.  Even in our darkest times, a return to the simple, the ordinary frees us from the complications of our daily lives.  The simple awareness of the smell of a good cup of coffee, focusing on the taste of homemade jam or jelly or filling our lungs with the scent of the day:  these are the simple, ordinary blessings in our lives. 

Each blessing can be a fleeting moment to enjoy or an hour to savor.  Having time to spend with our families, our children, our friends, opens a door on to which we can cling or release.  Each moment in these specks of time can be frozen in our thoughts to reopen when the flowing waters of blessings seem distant and far away.  Not everyday can be a day full of overwhelming joy.  Life is not that way.  In each life, in each time, there is both joy and sadness, elation and disappointment.  Life is balanced.  There are mountains to climb that seem to reach into heaven.  There valleys so low that the human spirit is challenged to its limits.  Yet, even in the darkness, there is good.  The darkness which we feared becomes the sacred darkness of night that allows us to embrace that which we feared and rest in the softness of sleep, ready to restore and refresh us for the newborn day.   

When the ordinary becomes the blessed, then we can revel in the simple which opens our senses and our hearts to the day.  The burden becomes lighter.  We are able to travel further on less.  When a leaf on a tree makes us smile at the wonder of nature, then we begin to see the blessed in our days.  When we open our hearts to the ordinary, the simple becomes blessed.  The song of a bird, the fire of a sunset, the sigh of a child: each of these blesses us even on dark days.  As we open our eyes, we find the

AWESOMENESS 

that reminds us that our journey here is filled with more than we can hold in our thoughts, in our hearts, and in our desires.  Stop.  Breathe.  Then move on with your day. 

I challenge you!

Embrace the blessings you find.

Write down your blessings and savor the memories.

You will find yourself growing in 

GRATITUDE,

STRENGTH,

AND

COURAGE!

YOU WILL ALSO FIND THAT

YOU 

ARE

AWESOME!

"Every day might not be good, but every day has something good!"

Deb  Batten

 

 

I Remember...

When I was in school, I learned that what looks like a bug was called an exoskeleton.  I don't know what kind of bug this was, but it shed its skin and became something brand new. 

Really, it stayed the same on the inside, but it's outer shell was new.  I guess because yesterday was the last official day of summer, I started to think about changes and changing. 

As I age, I have started to think about how things have changed.  I suddenly understand the "old folks" talking about the way things used to be.  I really do remember when I was little playing outside by myself, even as it got dark.  I walked to the store alone when I was 4.   My mother never had to worry about where I was or if I was safe.  We could sleep out on the porch on hot summer nights, and not lock the door, waiting for the cool desert breezes to flit in and out, and it was safe.

I remember the first computer that I ever saw took up an entire room.  Cards flew out of it, and these cards were read by specialists covered from head to toe in gowns that reminded me of doctors.  They even wore masks!  Now, I hold a computer in my lap, and there are no cards to read.

I remember the days that were fun and free.  When I was in college, my nickname was  "Butterfly" because I flitted around campus from person to person and task to task.  I remember my first job after college and how different the working world was from the world I enjoyed in college.

I remember my friends from high school and college, and I'm grateful that I have been able to reconnect with so many of them on Facebook.  They've made my life better and more fulfilled. 

I remember feeling invincible!  That was a wonderful feeling.  I no longer feel that way.  I'm settling into my "older age" and noticing the obituaries now.  I see people younger than me who die of natural causes.  I am shocked that I have lived this long. 

I wonder how much longer I will live.  I hope that there will be enough time left to shed more exoskeletons.  I look forward to the changes, the wrinkles, (not really), the joy of looking back and seeing those exoskeletons shed one by one.  Soon, I'll be saying, "Sonny, I remember when..."  There goes another exoskeleton.

I'm Finally Feeling the Autumn Blues

As I write this, it's 88 degrees and very humid outside.

Thank heavens for air conditioning!

Tomorrow, which is really today, the weather is changing, 

and,

we will be lucky to hit 70 degrees!

The next few days will leave us struggling to hit 60 degrees!

How quickly the weather can change!

Okay, I'm ready for fall!

I've struggled with the glass trying to make things that are autumn-ish.

I finally threw in the towel, but not in the flame, and pulled out the polymer clay.

Guess what,

my fall muse has arisen from the depths of summer!

Look what she commanded I make!

How about some pumpkins!

There are the rich, golden ones that are ready to be picked.

There are also the "Ghost" pumpkins that ready for the table.

Need acorns?  These really do look real, don't they?

And these are the "ghost" acorns.  I do like them!  They look better in person than in the photos.

I guess I'm ready for fall.

I need a change of season now.  I am tired of the heat of summer.  Ideally, I'd like the warmth of spring all year round, but....

Minnesota weather just isn't like that!

At least now, you know, I'm ready for fall.

Autumn Comes to Minnesota

It's Autumn.
It's Beautiful.
Take a look!
What do you think?




This is how it started.





















The leaves started to fall,
and
they were beautiful!


















These gorgeous apples
came into season.
Oh, they are so good!




















Even in the
cemeteries,
Autumn is showing..
Cemetery art
is
beautiful.




















The leaves are still falling,
but now
they are brown and crisp.
They crunch
under your feet.
They blow
in the
wind.

















Even now,
there are still
a lot of leaves
to enjoy
and rake.
Soon it will be winter,
but I have loved this
autumn.

The Start of Another Season

I listened to the weather forecast during the 6 PM news tonight. Our low is predicted to 40 degrees. It's the first week of September! Cooler weather is returning to the south central part of Minnesota.

When I got up this morning, I realized that it was dark outside. I was actually shocked. I didn't think the mornings would be dark yet. There was a hint of light and red on the horizon, but last month, on this date, it was light.

The change of seasons has begun. It's time to begin the clean up outdoors. Trees and bushes need to be trimmed. Leaves will soon need to be raked. The last of the tomatoes and cucumbers will soon be picked.

Jeans need to be brought out of the closet to see if they shrunk while in the closet this summer. (I don't know why that happens!) Long sleeved tees and sweaters need to be washed for use. Where did I put that sweatshirt? Spring and Summer clothes need to be packed away. Windows need to be washed. The garage needs to be cleaned out!

It's that time again. Cool weather preceding the snow and cold. I'm ready for the change. This year, I really am.

Signs of Fall

The signs of fall are starting to appear.

The roses are forming rose hips.



























The garden are mature! Look at this tomato plant!
Soon it will be time to harvest those delicious tomatoes.


















More pods! The milkweed plant, which when in bloom attracts butterflies, is mature. Look at those gorgeous pods!

























The brown eyed Susans are blooming. I love these flowers!














The evergreens have pods, too!

Fall will soon be here!

A Day for Closure--The Transition is Made

Technically, today did not qualify as a true Indian Summer Day, but I think it was. Traditionally, an Indian Summer day is a day following a hard, killing frost, before the snow falls, that is wonderfully warm in late October or early November. Since we have already had 3 measurable snow falls, today didn't actually qualify as an Indian Summer day, but on the other accounts, it did. Our high was 67 wonderful degrees at the start of November! We have had several hard, killing frosts. The landscape has changed remarkable from summer. The leaves are off the trees now, and they are sharp and brittle. When you walk on them you hear the crunch of cornflakes before the milk is poured in the bowl.

I knew I had to finish the leaves today. Last week I raked for several hours to get as many leaves as I could to the curb before the street department brought their trucks by to suck the leaves from my front curb. After the momentous raking sessions last week, I also went to the hardware store and bought a leaf blower. Why we didn't do that years ago, I don't know. In my book it's one of the most wonderful inventions since the advent of the light bulb! I blew the remainder of the leaves to a place where I will mow them and mulch them tomorrow in about 15 minutes. This tool is an amazing tool!

As the leaves blew, waves formed and the air caused undulations and patterns. I caught myself thinking, if only I could catch that wave in a bead! I even took a video of the process, but between using the leaf blower in one hand and the camera in the other, I could not catch the amazing waves of leaves. Another day. Things are changing now.





















This little garden which yielded tomatoes and herbs is still alive in spite of the frosts and freezes. Of course, the tomatoes are gone, but the herbs hang on. I was able to smell the each herb as I cupped my hands around this final aromatic supper. Tomorrow I shall cut the herbs back and bring them into the house to dry. The change is almost finished. Transition time has come full circle.

Tomorrow, we will put the lawn mower away and will bring the snow blower to the front of the garage. The herbs will be cut and dried or frozen. Pixie and I might head over to the dog park for a final romp before the cold returns along with the ice and snow. The circle will be complete. Summer is over! We are heading towards spring once again!

It's Really Over!

I knew I was rich,
but I just didn't know
how much
gold
I really had.
Now, I know,
it's over.
Soon the gold will turn to crystal.
Then
rebirth,
but now,
The gold!

At last! It really is fall!

It was a long, hard summer.
I'm really glad it's over.
Winter almost came way too early,
but now,
We're back to fall.
Colors that didn't exist yesterday
were sprayed on the trees
to make the leaves
a blend of maleable gold and rust
with speckles of green.
Winter is a peek around the corner,
but, no matter what,
We are headed towards spring!

On Oak Trees and Acorns

I've said it before, I am ready for a change of season. The next season we face in Minnesota is Fall. It usually very beautiful here during the autumn season. The trees change colors. The pods form on plants. Seeds mature and ripen. Squirrels begin to snatch the ripening acorns that have fallen to the ground and bury them for their winter food.

I've never really thought about an acorn much. I knew it fell from an oak tree, but did you know that an oak tree does not produce acorns until it's 20 years old? Did you know that oak trees can live up to 200 years? (Think of all the people who have stood under the oak tree and fell in love, married, and were buried under those strong branches.)

If you want to learn a little bit more about oak trees and the humble acorn check out this page. It's full of interesting facts about oak trees! You never know when this information might become important to you!

In the meantime, go ahead and visit my Etsy store. This acorn is listed there.

I'm Ready for Change, Almost

The seasons are beginning to change. Right now we are here when summer has matured and is ready to slow down for a much needed nap.

















I'm beginning to see the winds of change in the plants outside.






















The brown eyed susans are in bloom.





















The ragweed cometh. These are all signs that fall is on the way.






















Soon the leaves will begin to change color. What a magnificent show we will see then!

















The birds will begin to fly south as we prepare for the onset of winter.
















Then there is the quiet beauty of the first snowfall.

I don't look forward to the bitter cold, ice and snow of winter, but I am ready for change.

Oh, Oh! Is it really Happening Already?

I looked out in the ravine today. Look what I saw!


















I'm not a fan of the summer heat and humidity, but I think it's a little too early to see the leaves starting to turn yellow!





















I looked a little to my left. More of the same!





















I looked to my right. It's there, too!
It's been a nice summer, and fall will be nice, but winter is close behind.

What's This?

I have to admit, I am in shock! I looked out at the trees in the ravine in my backyard, and I saw it. It's only the beginning of August, and it's way too early! It's still hot and humid outside. We are just hearing the tree frogs chirp at night. I know it's going to happen, and we will see more and more of it as time flies by. It's just too early. I know we all need to rest. Tress just rest for a longer time than we do. I'm not ready, but that doesn't mean nature isn't ready to rest. I'm just not ready for nature to be ready. It's starting. The endless cycle of growth and rest that nature never changes but just accepts. The cycle continues from birth to death to rebirth. I do look forward to the cooler days ahead. I refuse to complain about the heat. I'd rather have that than the dire cold of last winter. I, like nature, need to accept the inevitable cycle of life and death, rest and rebirth. It's just time. Summer is beginning to end and autumn is ready to begin . The endless summer is melting into fall. It's time.

The First Sign of Autumn

As I sit outside, with Spike by his tree basking in the intense heat and humidity, I am sweating and wondering why I should write about the first sign of autumn. It's so hot and humid! I'm not complaining, but I'd rather be inside than outside right now. I do have to say, though, that even before the sumacs begin to change color, this first sign of autumn signals the downside of summer and the close start of school. What is this phenomena? It is the return of the Minnesota Vikings football team to Mankato for their training camp. For the last 40, Mankato has been the home of the Vikings from late July to early August. I think they are here for about 3 weeks. You can feel a change of energy in Mankato when the Vikings come to town. We have many visitors who come to celebrate the Vikings and wish them on to a fabulous year in football. Training camp is a big event. Big TV networks come to cover the Vikings as they tussle on the field for the spectators. Many children line up to see if they can catch an autograph from their favorite players. Things have changed, though, since we first moved to Mankato in training camp. For one, there used to be free with free access to the players for the kids. Now, there is a limited access to players, and it costs to go to training camp! Yet, there is still a festive mood with the many activities that are planned to celebrate the Vikings coming to Mankato. The local news is full of Viking activities. Our local TV station had a contest in which children auditioned to be able to interview, on TV, one of the Minnesota Vikings! I'm sure for the winner that is going to be a thrill! Today, as I was at the Mall, ready to walk in, two rather large men who were leaving the mall, wearing Vikings jerseys, saw me approach and returned to hold the door open for me. Wow! Their mamas raised them right! I'm not sure if they were Viking's players or not, but they sure were nice. Yes, today is one of the most hot and humid days we have had in a long time, but with training camp under way, we have the first sign of autumn on the horizon.