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.

Photo by Corey Blaz

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.

Caleb Jones

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.

Penny photobombed!

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. MontgomeryAnne of Green Gables

 

 

It's nice to share. Thank you.

12 Replies to “The Magnificent Color of Life”

  1. Beautiful post! Penny is adorable and lucky to have you and Jim as grand parents! I DO miss the change of seasons and the colorful foliage. Here is seems to be green one minute and bare the next. It is a chilly weekend here, but we will be back in the 80’s this week…after we have a cold and rainy Halloween!
    Thank you for sharing!

  2. Lovely column Joanne. I’ve been taking time from my daily walk in Frick Park to lie on the secluded bench and admire the trees and (sometimes) blue sky. What a treat!

  3. I love the quote from Anne of Green Gables.Seeing the children in T shirts makes me think it must be quite warm still. And, like you, I appreciate the quiet times, and slowing down whenever I can. Happy Halloween.

  4. Hi Joanne, I read your beautiful post this morning and after admiring the cute pics of Penny my thoughts were…..” For everything there is a season and a time and purpose under heaven”! So fitting for the beauty and transformation we see in this beautiful season if fall. I pass Sorgel’s hill so often during the day, and as time passes, I watch it slowly transform from shades of browns to shades of browns and greens to all green(sometimes I am lucky to see little specks of white blossoms amongst the green) to finally bright orange! The hill is now covered with pumpkins! Such beautiful fall memories you have with your family! How special to carry it on with Penny! Thanks for sharing.

    1. You said it Cindy. That magical transformation when greens turn lovely colors of brown, gold, orange. So lovely. Soergel’s is one of my favorite places. We tried to get in there earlier in October (on a Saturday) but it was too crowded. That is how we ended up at Hozak’s the following week. It was a wonderful experience to share with Penny. Your grandkids are getting so big! I bet you really enjoy them. xoxo Joanne

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