Spring into autumn

mystery flowers in ABS yard

So it goes in Fayetteville during October, frost one night then a few days later it is T-shirt and shorts weather. No wonder so many of us are coughing and feeling sick. But the scenery makes it all worthwhile to me.


Wild cherry tree at Mom's

The fall colors are about at their peak. There are probably a few more to come but the best have been this last week. I am glad that I was paying attention this year. My favorites have been the trees still in the midst of changing, sometimes the individual leaves caught in the act of draining away the green to reveal their reds and yellows, like this "poinsetta tree"









I have reveled in the beauty of it all, the pagentry of nature. If the trees clung to their life, these brilliant colors would never be revealed to our eyes. Yet as they lose their appearance of life, the splendor within shines forth, if only briefly. And in so doing, the tree preserves its life for new birth next spring. No wonder the ancients wondered so at the change of the seasons. I would be foolish to do no less.



Part of the reason for having the time to admire this autumn is my schedule change this last week. I was spending time outside walking a friend of mine's dog while he attended his father's funeral in Florida. Driving across town and strolling through Fayetteville's green-friendly zoning laws made for time to savor the feast for the eyes. Plus, while I was home this Saturday afternoon, Mom and I went out to take pictures of the colors and enjoy one of the last warm days we'll have this year. Ahh, life can be chaotic, but it is more palatable when I concentrate on these little things.

"Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit." (John 12:24)

Something has to give

Tonight is an evening off in town. I intended to do something I cannot remember doing for ... well a really long time. I was planning my evening around watching a TV show. My brother got me interested in watching Heroes, however, the neighbors had something else they wanted to watch (nuts). So I started trying to download previous episodes, the download site and my computer inexplicably won't speak to each other (nuts). So once my roommate gets it downloaded, I probably won't have time to watch it tonight (nuts). So instead, I am updating the ol' blog instead of updating the ABS website (nuts). Life is about choices.

Otherwise, nothing really worthy of calling news. I've taught more than a few times since Oct 1. I've not been home to Mom's until this last weekend (I had a relaxing time there though). I finally got to go see Grandma over the weekend (she's doing pretty good for 93). She made me my favorite supper (hash, homemade cornbread, and apple pie). Plus we kicked back and shot the breeze. Did the same with Mom and Brian (at separate times of course). I've had a cold for about a week. I went to part of the football game where the Razorbacks beat up on some Div. I-AA team (actually an accomplishment since we used to struggle with teams like that). I bought (finally) bought tires for my truck and got some steering part replaced which has me counting my pennies in hopes of paying that bill without breaking into my piggie bank. I did go camping twice (once with a married couple and another time solo during a meteor shower). I haven't really been taking any pictures. Ohh, that's about all of that non-news.

I guess some big news is that I've had two guys from my youth group decide to become followers of Christ ("get saved" or "born again" as we call it around here ). That is some pretty exciting decisions on their part.

So off to Walmart I go. Aufwiedersehn.

Brad

"For by grace you are saved by faith, and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God, not of works lest anyone should boast." (Ephesians 2:8,9)

Burning Cash

"Fall Creek waterfall, last weekend"

The title is courtesy of my "metalhead" roommate who has suddenly discovered Johnny Cash's version of Hurt and When the Man Comes Around (he was referring to burning it onto CD). I am thankful for the unique pleasure of savoring the same songs that he does.

Otherwise, it was a pleasant weekend with family, then friends. I buzzed home to help my little brother celebrate big number 25 (halfway to fifty, quarter-century, etc.) I'm past it so I don't have to worry about retaliation for a while (hee,hee). He took it well, as expected. We got to talking among us three and twenty-five was a remarkable year for Mom and I both. She left a job, city, and more to go back home, then got married. I left Fayetteville and home to pursue my dream of being a ranger while I was twenty-five.

Our praise and worship band at ABS had a couple invites to perform, one at a local coffeeshop, the other was at my church in Bentonville. I helped with logistics only. But they did great and gave God the glory for what they do with humor and humility.


"same mysterious waterfall from Devil's Den as last post"

Personally, I've been hanging in there. I will probably sneak out again tomorrow evening, maybe I'll sleep out under the stars. We'll see how my schedule plays out. But unless it is raining, it will feel good to be outside. Reading, contemplation, and imagination are on the proposed agenda.



You can help me out. The left picture had a longer exposure than the one on the right. The lighting to my eye resembled the right more so, but I like the blur of the water in the left. Both are of the big waterfall at Dripping Springs. I'm not sure why the carnation got pasted in twice because one of these from this post was supposed to go there instead. Oh well.

"And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen." (Philippians 4:19-20)