The Beauty of Autumn

The entries for this week's Carnival of Beauty, the beauty of Autumn, came tumbling into my inbox one at a time, like the slow-falling, gently-twirling leaves of a gracious oak tree. I found them thoughtful, perceptive, above all, beautiful; and I invite you to take a moment to browse through these entries, and see what they hold for you.

Autumn in the country where I live is about the harvest. There are stretches of road that travel between acres and acres of golden cornfields. There are sections of forest which are already turning gold and deep red. The greens that remain seem to glow in the afternoon sunlight. It's breathtaking already and we are not near peak season. ("Autumn's Message", Brenda)

As the fire is going in the stove on this cool crisp morning, and the children are huddled over their school books, I am the one caught daydreaming, as the leaves flutter by the window to cover the ground. ("The Beauty of Autumn", Loni)

Beautiful color, butterflies, warm summer days and then some cool clear days as well as His Feasts-a Barney song says it best:

"You can call it Fall, but
I say I like Autumn!"

("I Like Autumn", Veracity)

Autumn is hard to miss. Spring is a study in false starts. Summer is a sticky realization that you’re always too hot. Winter makes successive night time raids snuffing out autumn’s embers. . . . But Autumn is hard to miss. ("It's About Time", Kim)

I don't think a Spiritual autumn is nearly as beautiful as it's seasonal counterpart. Perhaps it's because I'm the "tree", feeling the pain of the crisp changing air and the removal of what I've been clinging to. ("Spiritual Autumn", Blair)

I took my children to the apple orchard today. We spent the morning in the crisp fall air, picking shiny, round apples from the drooping branches. What a delight it was for all of us to work together, filling our bags with juicy red fruit we will later enjoy in pies, sauces, crisps and many other tasty treats. ("A Day at the Orchard", Kimberly)

You know what I'm discovering that I love most about autumn? The fellowship with family and friends, the celebration of the bounty and blessings from God, the thanksgiving we share in another year. In other words, the spirit of the season doesn't have to change just because I have moved to a new place. ("Reflections on an Autumn Day", Beth)

I experienced my first true Autumn when I went off to college. Don't laugh, but it was in Southern California (Biola!). Not what most people envision when they think of Autumn, I know. It was magical to me. All around campus were trees emblazoned with gold. I loved laying in the grass in front of the dorm just looking up at the trees. ("Saguaros Don't Change Colors", Kimberly)

There are times in my life when it feels like autumn. I lose my leaves, my sense of connection with my core, my energy. I shut down for a season. These leaves can be my composure, joy, temper, courage, integrity, commitments. I bet you can name some more. ("Falling Leaves Ahead - From Trees or Your Life?", Susan)

A few of our participants today didn't actually email me their links, but I scouted them out anyway. I hope you don't mind that I have included you!

One day I may get to travel to the USA or Canada where I hear autumns are spectacular. But for now I'll settle for the English version. Living near the countryside, you see the subtle changes that come over the fields and trees. In some senses things begin to look a bit barren, but then you look up....at autumn sunshine glinting off trees that are gold and copper. I love the rain in autumn too, the slightly wild nature it has. The going inside to get warm. ("The Beauty of Autumn", Susanna)

The Lord has created a beautiful place for us to live. It never ceases to amaze me that no matter how petty our lives become, how prejudiced and jaded we become, no matter who is fighting with who . . . God always paints a landscape that I could not even fathom. ("The Beauty of Autumn", Lindsey)

Finally, an honorary link for an honorary auntie, because I thought this picture fitted this week's theme ever so beautifully.

Enjoy the season. Watch the leaves turn. Let cool air soothe you. And don't forget to make some time for a cup of tea (or coffee) and a good book.