Autumn on the farm is a magical time of year. The first frost appears on the pumpkins and the last mess of butterbeans is in the pot. The leaves have turned into spectacular shades of red, yellow, and pale purple.
There is a nip in the air and moma brings out the guilts and extra blankets from the attic. Daddy scours the dense countryside for splinters of fat lighter wood to start the first fire of winter in the fireplace.
The young children begin to make a wish list of what Santa Claus is to bring them for Christmas, while their parents wonder about their bills and finances.
A thin veil of fog rises from a nearby meadow and the many species of colorful butterflies and birds seemed to have magically vanished overnight.
The sounds and sights of nature seemed to have intensified. The tiny raindrops on the tin rooftop provides a calming effect throughout the house.
Sleep comes naturally to the entire family and the calico cat curled into a ball at the foot of the bed.
The old country folk have always insisted that the county fair always brings rain this time of year, and this year while the fair is in the town, it is a fulfilling prophecy.
The windows have become frosty with the season changing into the first days of winter, and everyone's breath resembles a tiny smokestack.
Children's voices rise and fall with the cadence of the wind as they play a game of tag in the front yard. A small terrier pup pulls and tugs at the youngest child, wanting to be part of the fun and excitement.
Just as the seasons change in perfect timing, the laws of nature also remain the same. While there is birth and death to be confronted with, there are sweet memories from the past and hopeful expectations from the future to consider.
No one is exempt from the hand of mother nature. Old Joe, our nearest neighbor, died last night. We will miss seeing him on his front porch enjoying his daily Bible readings. He was a simple soul, but his love for God spilled over to be a blessing for all that knew him.
While old Joe took his last breath, our other neighbor, Ms. Christine, gave birth to her 10th child, bringing a new light into the world once again. Some say 10 children are just too much to deal with, but it is just a random opinion and has no merit with the laws of nature and the hand of God.
