It’s a nice fall Saturday on Bittersweet Farm. It’s been very warm and sunny, but last night a cold front came through–literally blew in. Temps dropped into the 40’s overnight. First frost isn’t due until early October, but that is only a few weeks away.
I rose early to pray with the Bethel elders as I do every Saturday. Lois and I did a couple little projects together. She made granola. The house smelled like almonds, sunflower seeds and cinnamon. I did a few small chores to help Lois and Hope and some light car maintenance. College football murmurs in the background–never far from mind on day light this.
I puttered around the carriage house a bit. Now I’m in my “reading chair” and Haz is currently curled up on the footstool. Hope is making diner. Later I will go over my message for tomorrow again.
Goldenrod nods in the sunny breeze and leaves are turning. The woods are blushing with color. First the yellows–Elm and Locust in September. The Maples will flame orange and red in October, then the Oaks will linger brown and rust into November.
There are about 30 mature Walnut trees on Bittersweet Farm. Every few minutes a walnut will fall from high in the trees and “thump” in the yard. People are busy taking care of business before the cold weather comes. Every night six or eight deer bed down in our back acre. Their coats are darkening for winter. I wonder how aware they are of the mayhem about to explode around them in November.
Among the good things about living in a state like Michigan are the mellow month of September, the crisp, colorful beauty of October, and the grey and brown month of November ending in a weekend of thanksgiving. They are a three month reminder to take care of business and keep your affairs in order at all times. This is good for your soul.
My thoughts and worries turn into prayers when I lie in bed on a cool autumn night beside my wife of almost 40 years, under and extra blanket, wondering when I should cave in and let the furnace warm the old house. That’s the way it should be.
Ken Pierpont
Bittersweet Farm
Summit Township, Michigan
September 22, 2018
