Choosing gratitude and joy

Yesterday I was caught in a traffic slowdown of stop and go traffic for two hours. My usual commute is about 20 mins. The radio told me of a number of accidents on the major routes around town which impacted the bypass route I had taken- it was friday at 5 30. My initial reaction was irritation and concern about riding my brakes. Then I started to see the areas I usually whiz by now dressed in fall finery and frequent elaborate halloween displays in yards as I passed. I drove through a “snowstorm” of tiny golden leaves as the wind blew. Right then I remembered I could choose to be grateful for the time to enjoy this rare view. Each tree is dressed in its signature colors from the dark red of the dogwoods to the golden birch and a few red maples just starting. The hillsides that often hold little definition were highlighting each individual tree and ridge and valley. When the road traveled along the french broad river I watched the sun sparkle on the moving water and felt I had been given a gift. I rolled down the windows and sang along with the radio and smiled and smiled.

Photo Remorse

Have you had that moment when something beautiful caught your eye and you thought  “I should take a picture”. But life is busy and there are appointments to keep. That happened to me yesterday.   Of course I did not return until after dark yesterday and my beautiful picture looks like this today. Yesterday the tree had bright orange leaves on the branches. The fallen leaves where also bright orange and lying open and flat like they had just floated there. The colors really pleased my eye. Another example of marking time – how long would it have taken to stop and snap the picture. Having it in my memory  will have to be good enough.

Wonder Wednesday

     I find it a wonder each year as the chlorophyll goes away to reveal the internal color      of the leaves. This Maple is the first red tree I have seen in Asheville, NC. You can see the hills in the background are still green. Below is the YouTube of a song I sing every year since I was a girl when I would sing it with my Dad.

New house surprises

kitchen window January

kitchen window in July

The butterfly bush covers the whole window

butterfly bush flowers and yellow lillies

Part of the fun of a new home is to see what comes up and blooms as the seasons change. This butterfly bush just grew and grew until it was above the window..now it pushing at the roof overhang. It is very popular with the bees, butterflies and even a few hummingbirds. Nature keeps me amused.