Faded Autumn

Returning home again after another full day out running around on too many silly errands, I notice with the darkness close how faded the fall leaves look. Everything seems to have lost its essence. The once crisp leaves in startling gold and red and oxblood tones are now stuck together making leafy mold. All colors are muted and dull from the battering of nature. Debris is everywhere I look. The winds have been quite harsh on all these living organisms, that are closing up shop for the coming winter.
When I see the road ahead as the twilight begins, I am reminded that this is my favorite time of day. A certain kind of peace settles on all the hustle and bustle of the daytime’s craziness, and serenity prevails. Each view seems to be made to be framed. They all seem so perfect to me visually. We are scurrying now to beat the darkness, hurrying home to feed the chickens getting ready to line up to find their roosts in the large pine trees in the back back of our back garden. We’re running late but we will get there in time. Although we’re rushing into the future, we are hopeful about beating the moon rise. Almost there now. John rushes out through the barn to grab some wheat seeds and pellets. I hear the stirring of the flock and know we made it back in time. Peace washes over me. The stress of rushing to get here is lifting. I feel good. But now I must gather my things and get out of the car while I can still see the path ahead.
Now I can put all the groceries away and think about the last part of our ride today and the simplicity and starkness of the land with those clouds overhead.
It has such impact on me. In fact, I’m addicted to nature’s omnipotence and grace. It seems to be my life force.