The Magnificent Color of Life

Magnificent color. Photo by Aaron Burden.

From the time I was a little girl, I loved nature and I loved color. I remember there was a book that I read to my daughter when she was little. It was about loving mixed up colors best, a baby robin’s speckled breast… Oh how we read that book over and over.

As a young child, I used brightly colored crayons in pages upon pages of coloring books. Even as a grown up, I love to color. It is no wonder that I love fall.

Normally I get so tired of driving but during autumn, that’s a different story. I log about 300-400 miles a week because anything out of Clinton Pennsylvania is a drive. I drive to mom’s, to Penny’s, to the grocery store, to church, on and on. Most of my CD’s are gone although I find myself not missing them much these days. With all the quiet there’s time to think, to pray, and relish the solitude. There was a time when I needed constant stimulation and a racket in my head. Anything to keep my mind occupied.

These days, quiet wins. I like being with myself and I love the peacefulness. There’s been so much going on lately- weddings, events, three dogs in the house- truly, it’s a welcome relief.

If you live where there is fall foliage, do you notice it? When you’re driving are you in awe of the golden yellows, oranges, and reds of the season? I look around every time I drive. I find myself taking back roads just to see the color.

I am ever amazed at the hurry people are in these days. They like to cut the next guy off, they get mad when they don’t catch the green light, and they don’t wait for those poor pedestrians to cross the street. I love to do my “three things a day that no one catches me at” and stop, wait, and let those who need to cross the road.

If we take time to slow down and look at the colors, we will be amazed every day at what we’ll see. The world will open up. The gratitude of the season will have more meaning when we see those small little things. If we only focus on what’s wrong in our life, we will not see the gorgeous beauty awaiting us every day.

Last week John and Jess brought Penny to Hozak Farms. We have been going there for YEARS. I took John and Michelene as children, Gavin when he was a little guy, and now Penny. Instead of riding the hay wagon to the pumpkin patch, Penny headed straight to the straw hut. Nothing fancy but Penny loved it. While we ate fried pickles (and I shopped), Penny spent close to an hour throwing straw with other kids. She had so much fun.

Hozak’s was beautiful. Yes, it ‘s a bit more crowded these days but I still love it. It’s a wonderful place to see lots of trees, life, and color. The memories of past visits fill me with nostalgia. Life goes by so fast. Take the time to look around and drink in the color.

“I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers.”
― L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables

October 10, 2015October 10, 2015

Things of Beauty

“The power of finding beauty in the humblest things makes home happy and life lovely.” ― Louisa May Alcott

A few years ago I was working in Pittsburgh. There were certain times of the year that my job became very heavy with responsibilities. I was thankful that I was occasionally able to leave on my lunch hour and have a change of scenery. At least once a week I tried to get out and meet a friend. If that didn’t work, I fell back on plan #2. I looked for things of beauty.

This was easy to do because I worked near Schenley Park. There was Flagstaff Hill, the Schenley Plaza, and Phipps Conservatory. A few times I took thirty minutes and walked through the displays of the Conservatory. Talk about rejuvenation.

Lately, I look for the beauty in every day life. It’s easy to find if you train yourself. While you are driving, glance at the sky once in a while. Look at the beautiful autumn scenery if you have it (it’s gorgeous here right now!). Are there flowers blooming near you? Is there wildlife? Are there children playing?

Don’t forget to take a break and live life. It’s really important. Here’s a few beautiful things I’ve found lately.

Can you see it? A turkey on my lane is beautiful.

Seeing my old friend Nita this past summer was beautiful!

This amazing sunset. — Sunsets are beautiful.

This farm is beautiful. Read more about it on my other blog. Click HERE.

What is beautiful in your neck of the woods?

September 19, 2015September 20, 2015

Memories of Margaret

“Autumn…the year’s last, loveliest smile.” ― William Cullen Bryant

When I walk outside I can see them. The pale, dry leaves are falling to the ground. Right now there are just small amounts of them but pretty soon I know there will be more. The evenings are slightly cooler too and the blooms of summer are just about over. Fall is in the air.

I love Pennsylvania and especially at this time of year. I always lamented the end of summer in my younger days but in my mid life, no longer. I love the return to cooler temperatures and the arrival of fall.

A few years ago I asked Jim to take me for a ride. It was autumn and I wanted to snap some pictures of the colorful leaves. We were on a quiet road when I asked him to pull over so I could take the picture above. It was so beautiful and tranquil. I can still look at this picture and feel in awe of nature’s beauty. How magnificent are the colors, as if they were exquisitely painted.

This past week, my aunt’s mom passed away. Her name was Margaret but we called her yiayia Teta (tet-ta). I’m not sure how this started but my guess is that one of my cousins couldn’t pronounce her name exactly right.

My aunt is in her early 70’s and yiayia was 91. I cannot imagine the great gift it must be to have your mother when into your 70’s. Back then, young women married early and started families. These days that doesn’t happen quite so often.

My memory of yiayia will always be of her smile. She was always smiling and in a good mood. I’d see her at holidays- mostly Easter- and no matter what was going on with her physically, she tried to see things in a positive light. The last few years had been very difficult for her and she stood up to them like a gallant soldieress.

Yiayia, may you have the most peaceful rest of your life. God be with you.

xoxo