Fleeting Childhood ~ Falling Leaves

I was blessed to live the first 10 years of my life
 on an idealytic farm complete with a big red barn
 and custom built (by my dad) orchard treehouse.

Fall was always a mysterious time of the year

for me.  I rode a school bus and crossed

through the orchard and climbed over a wooden

ladder (carefully as I wore little dresses my
seamtress grandmother designed and
sewedfor me). Then I walked to an open field 

by my dad's propane tanks that had a gravel lane

 for the bus to drive into and picked us up.

It was always an adventure to see

what orchard fruit the trees were producing and

dropping...   if black walnuts, then my brother

and I would pick and sack them up for sale

 until our hands were dark brown.

At times it was persimmons,

I can still remember my first bitter taste.

While I was hoping for more a peachy/apricot

delight, I tasted the strange sensation

and had to spit it our quickly.

Even today I love the mysteries of Fall,

the leaves turning (seemingly overnight)

the smells, the briskness of the morning air,

the brighter than summer days sun,

and the sounds and whispers

that puts nature to sleep.

The taste of apples, candy corn, popcorn,

and cider.  The squeals of costume kids

dreaming of stuffed bags of happy delights,

make me shiver with mystery.

I love Fall!

I love the days leading up to family get togethers,

with familiar recipes, out of town relatives,

road trips to visit them,

and

planning for the Holidays.

As I write this I am looking out over our back yard

covered almost completely in leaves.

Young Ollie's little head popping up as he

chases the falling leaves.

And sweet older Heide

underneath the wooden bench

waiting for Ollie to calm down and come lay

beside her.

Fall Always blesses me

And I hope and pray

it is blessing

YoU!

~~*~~

All pictures were taken by me at Leolas except the top one which is from
Capt. Piper.  And the pictures of mom, brother John, and Jaclyn at
her Oct. birthday get together And the one of Lauren's children
 on Halloween this year. The last one is of the apron I found at
Leolas for Silver Bella vendors night.