OCTOBER OPINES

 Sunny, cool October brings forth fond memories.

Actually, today is COLD, rainy, blustery and yet beautiful at the same time.

I love the Fall season and October celebrations are usually prolific in Pennsylvania country.  

Pumpkins, gourds, dried corn stalks and a wide variety of dried flora fill the front of the average home up here.

Normally we look forward to the prolific country Fairs, one in each borough.

People from far and wide are invited to ‘come and see’ and linger awhile as we drink in the prolific harvest.

Not this year.

COVID has stopped most community activity.

Yet, the autumn decor is still prolific.

When we take our walk my head swivels from one side of the street to the other as my thought linger with the creative combinations of natural vegetation.

Much is simply plucked from the family garden or the neighboring farm.

We intentionally make time to drive through the newly harvested farm country just to linger in the simplicity of empty fields.

Fields once filled with tall stalks of corn are now open patches of dirt with beige leftovers sticking through the soil.

Soy and potatoes have been scooped up with a vast expanse of earth left behind.

Farm houses, each with its varied decorations, can be seen across the fields.

Flags fly and copulas stand tall on homes and barns with a weathervane here and there.

The brisk wind clears the leaves from trees as leaf colors change from pale green to yellow or bright rust, red, gold and brown.

Our de-light-full Maple trees are hanging on for dear life as the Lantern Fly [a new little beast to these parts] sucks the sap and takes life from the trees.  Scientists are working hard to provide ways to keep the trees alive. 

We, the people, are invited to stamp out these spritely little ‘flyers’ as best we can.

“Come and See,” is more difficult this year but there are plenty of people from other states who are exploring the swaths of patches that, when flying overhead, must look like a patchwork quilt.

It’s all good.

We are a hearty folk up here with endless creativity.

Sharing our creativity to add beauty to what could be a desolate time of year is very inviting for any and all who wish to explore endless miles of open space.

Beauty helps us B R E A T H E.

Beauty gives us hope that God’s touch is always with us.

Beauty reminds us to pause.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder . . . so trite yet so true.

An empty desert is as beautiful as a hundred floral bouquets.

Rolling hills are as beautiful as a swamp filled with intriguing plants.

Dying plants and trees are a sight to behold.

Come and See!

Isn’t that what Jesus told those who would become His disciples?

Come and see this how beautiful life can be in the midst of oppression, disease, poverty and the darkness that life can pile on us.

Come and see a new way of being.

Come and see a wonder-filled path with God by faith through His Grace.

Come and see how the Holy Spirit works within those who choose to ‘die to self’ in baptism and live a new life in Christ, Jesus.

Come and see how God’s presence can draw us into renewal, hope, JOY!

The beauty of this earth . . . the natural flora and fauna . . . shows us God’s creativity and touches our own creativity which was planted in our soul by God.

That same creativity calls us to come to Him, just as we are, shriveled by life’s challenges, feeling pruny from all the our cuts and bruises, or just plain in need, to let our Lord carry the load of living that seems so ‘daily.’

“Come to me all you who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matt. 11:28-30

 ‘Come . . . see . . .  embrace . . .  BE . . . with Me,’ says Jesus.

Come and see that life can be beautiful, no matter our circumstance.

Even with COVID lingering at our door, we can come to our Lord and feel His presence as we embrace the October beauty around us.

Come and see . . .