Posts Tagged ‘Leafs’
BEFRIEND A LEAF, IT’S GOOD FOR YOUR SOUL
Note: Every year, in November, I pick the appropriate Sunday weatherwise to repost this. It seems to be a reader favorite as it is one of the most read. The original photo posted on a my first blog was deleted in the transition, however. The day today is exactly as it was on the day this was originally authored. Enjoy.
Pinckney, MI — (originally posted 11/2/03) The rain has stopped for now on this early Sunday morning. It’s been on and off, like a soft spring rain, but instead of feeding the flowers the fall rain is gently urging trees and shrubs to sleep.
The drops wash the trees of summer growth before a long, cold sleep well-deserved after another summer of displaying beauty.
Formations of sparrows depart and arrive on rosebush runways and dart down into their secure home among the sharp vines that repel cats and other predators while the birds sleep. Daytime is spent pecking at the thorny branches for water drops and food.
Most bright gold and fire-red leaves have left their summer homes on the branches, spiraled slowly and softly to the ground and occupy every inch of available space on the lawn they used to live above.
Sometimes they fall in seemingly ecstatic groups, released from their vines en masse like children out the door after the last day of school. Other times, they fall one by one, right after or right next to each other as if the neighborly bond on vine joins them inseparably.
Many still cling reluctantly to the branches today, not ready to lay flat and wet on concrete or grass. Combined with those that have fallen, a panorama view of trees and ground makes for a brilliancy in contrast and colors. The sight reminds me of the small Van Gogh brushstrokes in his self-portrait which, viewed up close, seem seperate and unconnected but from afar make a perfect unified image.
And if it’s November, it must be time to return to the consistent patting on my keyboard to verbose on Vinman’s Verbosity.
If it’s nearly November, it’s time to continue writing and clean the gutters. It’s time to bring the summer furniture inside and get the gas mixed with two-cycle oil so the snow blower is ready. It’s time to unleash the positive energy the summer brought and it’s time to get in the pool at 6 a.m. and swim for my life every other day.
November in the Midwest has become the best month for me to get rid of neglect in my life. To ward off the blues of short days, snowy nights and cold mornings, I’ll remember the words of the best personal trainer in the land, Jimmy V:
Neglect: We’ve all heard the expression, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” Well, I’ve got a good question for you: What if it’s true? Wouldn’t that be easy to do – to eat an apple a day? Here’s the problem: It’s also easy not to do.Neglect starts out as an infection then becomes a disease.
So tonight, I will cherish the quiet, the peaceful darkness outside my windows and the sounds of our house as a prelude to even shorter days and colder nights.
If you get the chance, wish some of your falling leaves well. They’ll appreciate it as they fall to their sleep. Your soul will be warmed for encouraging them.
© Copyright Vincent J. Kern — 2003 All Rights Reserved
