Ate my breakfast perched in the swing, watching a fall morning come alive around my neighborhood. The leaves were dancing to the ground from all the water oaks and when the wind blew a little whirlwind gathered some leaf friends and spun off down the street with them. A few magnolia leaves slapped themselves loudly down the concrete street chasing the whirlwind. The squirrels were pulling acorns off the oak limbs, high in the tops of the trees, running up and down slender branches. Two of the squirrels drank thirstily from the bird baths. Lots of doves wearing their grey coats and little pink high heels, bobbed their heads and prissed around the yard, the squirrels too arrogant to even pay them any attention.

Today was so delightfully fall. Blue sky, clear and cloudless as far as the eye could see. Bright blinding sun warming the day like it was summer. Guess Father Sky decided not to draw any clouds on his sky canvas. I watched two black buzzards wind their way up into the sky, twisting round in circles like the key on a wind up toy. I watched them till my neck hurt. I just wonder how high they are when they become black specs against the blue sky. If I did the math correctly, the black turkey buzzards can fly almost four miles high! Wow!! They must have a beautiful view of the earth.

The man in the moon was almost a sliver when I walked Penelope this morning. I’ve enjoyed looking for him, dressed in his pale luminous pajamas, on our morning walks. He’s never in the same place. Can’t find him at night, though. Don’t know if he’s sleeping late or hiding behind my roof.

Mr. Yellowhammer, the northern flicker, is still around in the top of the oak tree. I know he’s a mister because he has a black mustache on his face. Saw Mr. Downy Woodpecker on a suet basket, he didn’t stay long. All the cardinals, finches, titmice, doves, and the squirrels and chipmunks were enjoying their mid morning snacks when the neighborhood hawk swooped down for his snack. He missed sinking his claws in anyone but he ran the birds away for a good while. His wing flapping sounds are loud and scary. That’s the second time this week he’s come for lunch and left empty handed.

The wind chimes and an old howling dog composed a yard symphony for a while and then everything was quiet except for the birds calling their mates and the bubbling of the bird bath fountains. A lonely loud wailing train came by, clicking and clacking down the tracks, its woo-woos echoing in the still air. The chipmunks, five of them I counted, were running all over the yard and porch, chasing each other and fighting. Penelope was watching them, her head going back and forth, like she was watching a tennis match.

One chipmunk ran right over my foot while I was on the phone with oldest sister-in-law. Thank goodness it didn’t run up my blue jeans leg. I always put my legs up in the swing just so that can’t happen. I almost learned a lesson the hard way. At least it wasn’t Balthazar slithering across my foot. I’m hoping he packed up and left after I gave him a shower of clove and cinnamon oil.

I sat in the swing all afternoon waiting for the sun to begin her slide down the horizon. The sun’s bright beacon was like a flashlight beam on my face. I could feel its life giving light, hot on my cheeks. Had to raise my hand to shade my eyes for a few moments. I was anxiously awaiting to see how Mother Nature was going to paint the sunset canvas.

Mother Nature was using her palette of pastel watercolors and began her masterpiece by brushing the horizon a soft baby blue. She was beginning another exquisite painting. As the sun got close to bedding down, the horizon was painted in a pure golden light, a darker gold brushed around the sun. So ethereally pretty. Father Sky bent over to kiss the sun goodnight, probably had to wear his sunglasses, and promised her he’d wake the moon and pin her nightlight stars high in the navy sky. She’s a spoiled girl, tucked in bed every night in a glorious quilt of color.

I think I had a perfect day. We all have days that are perfect but not one of us has a perfect life. Life is difficult for everybody. We all face the same trials and tribulations. And we know that there is much work to be done before we get to the rewards. Life is full of beauty and joy and love but we all eventually experience grief and loss, hate and regret, sadness and misery.

Some of us are haunted by the past and can’t let things go. Our attitude is what guides us through life. Put the past behind you and live for today. If you dwell only on the things that you feel aren’t going right in your life, you will never appreciate all the blessing in your life right now.

During hard times God is standing by our side. James 1:12 says, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

The Lord is a strong fortress and we can run to him and be safe in his love and grace. Even when you feel you can’t keep going and the path is too hard to walk, don’t stumble alone, grab the hand of God and make your way. The Lord never leaves us, he’s always in our heart. Our faith and prayers offer us security when we are facing life’s storms. I know from experience the power of prayer and the healing that comes from believing that God hears and answers our prayers. God is always watching over us. His hands are always outstretched to catch us when we fall.

“God is not some distant, far away, absentee father. No, He is present, He cares, and He doesn’t want you to worry.” — Pauline Creeden