[Faith-talk] Daily Thought for Thursday, October 17, 2013

[Paul]

Hello all my readers to these daily thought messages.  I hope that your day is going well, went well or about to begin.

For the next two or maybe three days, beginning today, we are going to feature articles on the subject of fall or autumn.  Now I know that those of you in climes that may not have the kinds of natural plants and animals, you may not appreciate this, but for those of us who live in what is called the "temperate zone," you very well might.  The first article in question was written by Agnes M. Bell and is entitled "Fall Approaching," rendered as follows:

There's a different feeling in the air these days; the mornings are crisp and the nights nippy.  The trees in the yard are preparing for a change.  Leaves on the maples are tinged with yellow.  Red is beginning to show on the dogwoods, reminding us of the scarlet beauty they will soon wear.  The craggy old walnut tree outside my window is beginning to release its foliage to the wind, and swirls of leaves fly over the fence into the garden or ride high over the hill toward the far horizon.  Some cling to the ground to make a carpet for children and kittens and puppies to play on.  The little stream flowing through the pasture carries leaf boats down to the water gate.  There they will pile up until a hard rain swells the stream and washes them up on the bank where they will be left to dry or be blown away in a colorful cloud.  A sudden hard shower whips the green-clad nuts off the old walnut tree.  They thunder onto the roof, bounce down to the ground, and burst open, revealing the shiny black shells which contain crunchy, delicious meat.  I must hurry to gather up these tasty morsels or my aging squirrel friend will snatch them away and bury them in his secret winter pantry.  The geese that live in our area seem restless now.  They fly their V-formations between ponds often and noisily.  Will they leave us this coming winter? Tabby and her kittens lie around in the sun, soaking up warmth they will need a little later.  Tippy looks for a sheltered place to take his naps, rising up only long enough to greet his master or to bark, long and loud, at any stranger who may appear.  He doesn't worry about the chilly days ahead.  He has a snug little house and a fond mistress who caters to his every whim.  The last hay has been cut and the aroma entices the cows from their favorite cud-chewing spot near the brook to the pasture gate.  But they must wait until snow flies to get a taste of this delicacy.

Goldenrod, which has brightened the roadsides and hilltops all summer, is beginning to lose its yellow glow, but sturdy stems support the blossoms against wind and rain.  Now, they wait for frost to paint them a shimmering white.  The cider mill has been set up in the orchard and everyone must lend a hand to pick up the red apples which cover the ground.  All must take turns washing and grinding the colorful heaps into sweet cider which will be stored in the cellar.  Grapevines which, a few weeks ago hid bunches of purple gems in deep foliage, now cling to a few brown leaves as though to hold the warm days a while longer.  Orange-colored pumpkins make huge polka dots in the cornfield, waiting for eager children to pick their Jack-o-lanterns.  All growing thins are preparing for a long rest, and we must bid a fond farewell to summer.  Now, we look forward, and thank God with grateful hearts, to Thanksgiving time and the short quiet days of winter, with its snowy white blanket covering the ground.

And there you have Sister Agnes' article which I hope you enjoyed.  I know that you in Australia and New Zealand have just the opposite kind of weather, but I still hope you enjoyed her contribution nonetheless.

And now may the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob just keep us safe, individually and collectively, in these last days in which we live.  Lord willing, tomorrow in this space we will present for you an article about that common fruit available this time of year, the humble apple.  Your friend and brother in Christ, Paul