It Is Autumn

Today seemed like autumn to me. I know it technically started a week ago, but it finally feels like fall.  It isn't even that the weather is cool -- it isn't, actually.  But several trees were completely converted to bright golden hues.  And there was a man sighting in his shotgun down the road (hunting season is a big part of fall, and winter, around here).   But most of all, it was autumn today because there was cider and doughnuts and my grandparents over for dinner.  There's something warm and comforting about fall for me.  Something contented and cheerful about the season, even though everything outside is slowly dying.  Fall is characterized by hay rides, camping trips, and turkey dinners.  It's about warm tea and cider, and wood fires, and cozy sweaters.  I like fall because it seems like a happy time.  Summer is muggy.  Spring is very wet.  Winter is brutal, with snow and short days.  But autumn -- it's crisp and cool, with a hint of winter in the air, yet a memory of summer lingering on.  It feels like things are slowing down, becoming comfortable and routine again.

So that's my ode to autumn.  I'm in a thoughtful mood today.  I was going to write about the bike-a-thon that we're doing tomorrow, but I'm not sure what to say.  Maybe I'll have more to write about after we do it.  So, I think I'll leave you with a song.  And that is all.

 

It's Been Awhile...

I'm afraid I've been gone too long this time.  School and an internship and applications and everything suddenly hit me like an avalanche and it's still pretty snowy all around me :)  I'm working on digging myself out and conquering this thing called Senior Year.  We shall see how I do!

Yikes!  I can't believe I'm making metaphors about snow already.  It's barely autumn here.  Last week, my family went upstate a bit to go camping.  Here's some pics from the trip --

A perfect night to be out on the lake

Me, the warmest I felt all week

My new G+ profile pic, taken from the edge of our campsite

It was so beautiful out there, with crystal-clear water, thick mountain foliage turning shades of gold and red, and deer gliding through the shadows.  Oh, yes.  A deer pic should follow now --

I couldn't help but see the splendor in God's creation and how it glorifies Him.  Every perfectly constructed spiderweb, every mountain wreathed in pine and beech trees, every fish with scales glittering under the surface of the lake -- everything proclaims the name of its Maker.  Nothing reminds me more of God's perfect plan, His intricate designs, more than stepping outside and seeing nature.

"The heavens declare the glory of God,

    and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

2 

Day to day pours out speech,

    and night to night reveals knowledge.

3 

There is no speech, nor are there words,

    whose voice is not heard."

(Psalm 19:1-3)