Change is Coming

I don't do this very often, but this week, I'm feeling a bit melancholy, and when that happens, sometimes, the result is poetry. Hope you don't mind if I indulge in sharing here. 

Change is Coming

This week the last of the leaves are turning

Preparing to drift to the ground

A layer of snow dusts the mountain tops

Preparing to stay for the winter

Farmers harvest their fields

Gardeners clip back their plants

People dust off their coats and boots

Getting ready for the temperatures to drop

Animals store their winter supplies

And build sturdy nests to keep them warm

While birds form flocks

And fly south.

The north wind blows

Bringing cold air and change

And a lone whistle sings

That winter is coming.

While families huddle close

Knowing changes in weather

Cannot steal love’s warmth

No matter where they live.

Are you ready?

Have a lovely weekend, and I hope you'll take time to notice the beauty resulting from seasonal changes. I know I will.  

Christmas Light Spottings and Contest Winner

I love the holidays. The warmth of inside on cold days, the smells of oncoming winter (I know, totally out of character for me), and especially the decorations. There's just something about twinkling lights and pine boughs that make a person feel...well, happy, content, and giving. It's nothing like the contentment of having the sun shine on my skin, but I'll take it.

But people, really, don't you think the holidays lose their novelty if you celebrate them for six months out of a year?

This weekend I've seen three houses/restaurants that have already turned on their Christmas lights. And while I've been known to put up my tree in the first weeks of November (it's 12 feet tall and a lot of work) I found myself amazed that we're already heading into the holiday season. It's only the beginning of October!

But...I guess those people might have the right idea. I mean, if it has to be stormy and cold, like it is where I live, and since we're only a month away from Halloween, which for me is pretty much the holiday kickoff, then it stands to reason that we prepare to usher that kickoff in by getting out the decorations. Right?

Okay, maybe not the Christmas ones. I admit, though, that it made me a tiny bit excited for the upcoming holiday season.

Just saying.

Guess I should go find that other box of fall decor and get to work.

On a totally different subject, I realize I was supposed to pick a winner for for the copy of Zion's Promise by Chris Jefferies on Friday, and I totally forgot. Well, actually, I didn't forget, I just got way busy and didn't get it done. So, in case any of you were waiting with baited breath to see if you'd won this awesome prize, I'm very sorry for the delay.

And the winner is...

David J. West.

Clap, clap, clap, cheer, yell, yahoo, cheer, clap, clap, dance, clap, clap, clap.

David, email me with your snail mail address and I'll get your prize in the mail this week.

And since I'm blogging today, I'll leave you all with a thought:

"Flying is learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss."
~Douglas Adams

Until next time, write on.


Nichole