Fall is Creeping In

This morning as I was out walking, I noticed that fall had crept into the valley hills.  I have noticed that it felt like fall for a while now, but today I actually noticed the browns, yellows, and golds beginning to colour the hills.  When did this happen?  It crept in so quickly I didn't even notice -- until today!

Am I ready for this?  I love the gorgeous vibrant colours of fall, but I'm not so sure that I'm ready for the cooler temperatures.  I've put up enough dill pickles, relish, applesauce and juice to last the winter.  But there's still the high-bush cranberries to pick and make into jelly.  Most of the tomatoes haven't even started to ripen yet.  Not to mention the long list of other things I had hoped to accomplish before fall, and especially winter, set in. 

But some of those things are maybe better suited to do in the winter when the busy, vibrant, harvest energy of fall makes way for the quieter, inner reflective energy of winter.  With the cold temperatures and sometimes lots of snow, it's often nicer to stay inside then and do things like writing books, designing a website, creating online classes, sewing, knitting.....  For now, I think I'll just put some warmer clothes on and go sit in my chair under the crabapple tree in our backyard and soak up the last of the summer energy! I hear it calling..... There might even be some weeds to pick or flowers to trim back or ..........

Calling Lakes Centre Serenity

I'm at Calling Lakes Centre for the weekend.  This beautiful, peaceful place snuggled into the hills of the Qu'Appelle Valley.  As I go outside for a walk this afternoon, the serenity of the surroundings permeate my being, filling every cell in my body with contentment, peace, tranquility.

 I notice the gentle breeze lifting the yellow leaves from the tree branches, sending them dancing down to the earth.  The crisp cool air clears my head and I am even more aware of the world around me.

The water laps lightly onto the rocks at the edge of the lake.  The gentle rhythm resonates throughout my entire body.  The sun tries hard to shine through the clouds and the flowers valiantly hold their heads up despite the cold temperatures, speaking to me of resilience and determination.  The tweeting and chirping of the birds in the trees fills me with gladness and joy.  They feel like kindred spirits.

I just want to sit here amongst this beauty, absorbing all of its peaceful, life-giving energy.  I am one with all things.  At one with the whole universe.  I am.