Guess the seasons have finally changed. The bird baths were frozen this morning. The hose pipe had a long icicle jutting out. Must have had just enough water left in the hose to force the icicle out. Looked like a dagger. The zinnias took a bow in the cold air last night and passed on along with the stringy tomato plants and the always bearing bell pepper plant. No more butterflies, I guess. The pansies were glorious in the cold, happy and standing tall, their yellow and purple and white blooms saluting the sun.

I sat on the porch today perched in the swing in the warm sunshine, eating my late breakfast/lunch, waiting for my gas guzzling steam boiler to warm the house. Was actually warmer outside than in the house. Should have turned the furnace on when I went to bed, but I didn’t.

The sky was the darkest of blues today, completely cloudless, with one black vulture climbing in circles, high in the sky canvas, wings outstretched, floating on air currents. I looked at the sky again and “I saw the moon and the moon saw me!” The sun forgot to kiss the moon goodnight so he was awake and shining in the morning light. The moon was so handsome against the dark blue sky. He was almost full of himself. Next time I looked he was back under his cloud covers. I need to go check and see if he’s awake now and shining with the stars.

Had the prettiest bird visitors in my yard mid-morning. Four Baltimore orioles came and drank from the bird baths. Right before they left three eastern bluebirds joined them. Wish I had captured them in a photo but I just sat quietly and marveled at their beauty. The male Baltimore orioles are dressed in bright flaming orange feathers with jet black heads and necks, their wing bars highlighted with white and orange. The female orioles are pale yellow and brownish. I have never seen the females till today. These birds always stay across the street when they migrate through and eat the holly tree berries. When the eastern bluebirds bent over to drink from the bird baths, the feathers on their heads and backs were as blue as the fall sky, almost fluorescent when the sun touched them. With their rusty red breasts and dark blue feathered coats,q they are mesmerizing to watch frolicking around the feeders and bird baths.

Mother Nature had a new palette of watercolors tonight and brushed the sunset in a pale yellow and a soft glowing gold. Father Sky was blinded by the sun’s bright beacon as he leaned down to kiss her goodnight. The horizon was colored with a pale golden light as the sun slid down the landscape and turned off her lights. Twilight came alive in the golden dusk. Can’t see the moon yet but the navy sky canvas is full of twinkling stars. The night sky looks like Father Sky through a handful of jewels up in the air and they pricked the sky and stuck.

I’ve heard quotes and read quotes several times today about light. One quote that really stuck with me was “the light you cannot see is the most important light to see.” That’s a pretty powerful statement when you sit in a porch swing and ponder about it. To me it means God’s light is his love for us. His love lights our way in the world.

God said, “Let there be light.” God is the light and in his love there is no darkness. I think we associate evil with darkness but light transforms the darkness. God’s presence is a beacon of light when we’re struggling and needing help. We don’t physically see God but we can see and feel his presence in the light of his grace and love. God’s light helps us see beauty and truth. Others can see God’s light and his love in our actions and deeds. When you’re down and troubled, spend time in God’s light with thanksgiving and prayers. Your darkness can be conquered with faith. We can all see the light and the light magnifies the truth. If we do our best each day to live in a Godly way, we can be the light for others.

“In the world we live in today. I believe the light of God can bring us out the darkness,” ― Angel Moreira