Bright Blue Weather

I'm back in Minnesota, my friends! Enjoying the glorious clarity of October air, and the alternating cerulean brilliance with misty grey... There is truly nothing like the turning of color as the frosts creep in. Oranges, rusty reds and variations of greens and yellows. I took a walk the other day, following paths mown through gold-brown grasses, venturing up to the colorful trees, and ducking into the groves, under and over logs, crunching through the leaves. I filled my pockets and hands with crimson leaves fallen from the maples and oaks, and when I came home, tucked them between papers and heaped some weight on them so they'll be ready to decorate with in a few more days.

To Autumn--Keats

I was home for a couple of days before heading off to Rochester. A new opportunity to serve came up, so here I am in a lovely part of the state, continuing the day-to-day adventures of life. It's October, so of course I've made apple crisp, pumpkin cookies and bars, apples dipped in caramel, and various stews and squashes. I think a pumpkin pie is in order this afternoon. Just in time to chill in the fridge and come out for Sunday dinner. I had a chance to meet a new friend for Thai coffee in a delightful shop downtown. And amid the ups and downs and difficulties of the here and now, I have been able to enjoy the pleasant company of several aunties all in one place! Coloring and movies (like the sophisticated grownups we are ;) as well as cooking, singing and worship.

The days have been quieter here. Less music, more knitting and Sudoku. But that can be a good thing. And less time on the internet gives more time for thinking, reading, journaling, etc. Which is definitely good. And as always, through new experiences and old ones, through bounding life and throbbing joys, difficult paths, tough decisions, and tedious uncertainties... Prayer.
All-prayer is the armor that I must remember to don every morning when I get up--and then to keep tightening the straps as I jog through my day and my armor loosens like the autumn leaves...

Fly you leaves! And let my heart-strings be

Undo your ties and shudder through the air

Illuminate that beam of light for me

I'll praise your maker, rest my spirit there.

Burn! your flaming colors in this light

Shake off your summer burdens, raise your arms

Breathe in the wind, forget your stormy plight

Immersed in gold, put off the cold alarms

Run you chilly waters! while you can

Shine you sun! and turn the crops to gold

Foraging and storing is the plan

While flocks go over, chased by bracing cold.

Gleam and sing and dance in your fine dresses

Decorate the hills in russet glow

Loosen and let fall your leafy tresses

You've melted hearts; fear not the coming snow.