Columbus Day

Columbus Day has a special significance here, and it is a marker noting change. Now we know this is a serious step toward the "big one." The changing of the guards, if I may.

Sunday, with all its brilliance on the church grounds, one could not help but notice, a beautiful red tree which stood close to the building and entrance of our hall. It is massive in size and the majesty of that tree encompassed the sky directly above the greenest grass, this side of heaven. You couldn't miss it!

Today, the day following Columbus Day, just about all the leaves have fallen around that maple tree's base, still gloriously red. The wonder of it all, one minute thriving and the next gone. Before you can blink an eye the vivid colors will disappear turning shades of brown as they are raked away, or left to disintegrate.

Hanging on my front door is a beautiful fall wreath, decked with sunflowers, and assorted colored leaves. It took a while to find just the right one as we wanted something to serve for both Halloween and Thanksgiving. Arrangements start around forty dollars and up. It was fun looking at the gory stuff, but, being frugal minded, I couldn't see myself paying all that money for one day. This was a compromise.


The flower beds will soon be cluttered with falling leaf debris so tomorrow, because the temperature will be in the sixties, and the sun will be shinning, will be a good time to anticipate your spring flowers. We will plant bulbs, different colors, heights, and varieties.

Well, off to the orchard to buy fresh homemade pie for tonight, when the family gathers for dinner. Maybe we'll get more apples for honey's lunch. We will see pumpkins, horses, cows and maybe raindrops on the way.



Praise be to God for our wonderful, country-like existence here in our own little corner of the world in New England. Most of the time I even forget where I planted, and at times, that I did plant, until the spectacular show in the springtime. Everyone knows that I like surprises.


Orthodox Christians try to see beauty in all people, animals and things, as God created them because we believe that, "He is everywhere present and fillest all things."