Musings

You can tell there is a change in the air. We have two very warm days this week, rather unusual. The last remnants of Indian summer hanging on a bit. We have had beautiful sunsets and sunrises. What I have noticed about living on the prairie are the colors. Where we live, we are surrounded by corn and soy bean fields, not much color there. But there are trees that grow in groves around the farm houses and buildings that have turned bright yellows and reds. What is most amazing is the color that the grasses of the prairie turn. They become a golden yellow to almost red, and with the wind, it is almost like seeing feathers floating all in one direction. The starlings fly together and create ribbons of birds all along the sky, flying in and out like music, it almost does look like ribbons in the sky. We do not see as many geese anymore, suppose they have all gone down south. We still see the hawks, the pheasants and starlings, and every now and again the pelicans. Isn't God wonderful to have created all of this? What people I have talked to have lived here so long, they don't notice it anymore but as a newcomer to a strange land, I find it rather awe inspiring. My time down here has taken turns and twists, wondering why I am down here and thanking God for bringing me here. I know the time will go fast, it is already the first week of November.

I don't look forward to what is to come. The biting cold, the wind and snow. One person has already told me she hoped that we would see a blizzard and be part of it. I did not say anything, but I fervently hope we do not and at the same time, I have never seen a blizzard, there is a tiny part of me that wonders what they are like. This winter will come soon enough. It means the land will go to sleep in whiteness, what does it mean for the people who live out here? One thing I know that is popular out here is snowmobiling and ice fishing, especially ice fishing. I look forward to seeing tiny houses dot the lakes.

I have gotten ahead of myself here. Winter is not here yet, it is just around the corner. Which brings me to what has gone on around here. We have had 4 deaths, 4 funerals, and Don and I are heading to Seattle this weekend for a memorial, a remembrance service for my aunt who died the end of September. This was the only time we had to get there. I look forward to seeing cousins and visiting and yet this is a bittersweet visit. My aunt was very special to me. She taught me so much. She cared for me like her own daughter. She showed me what love and forgiveness is. We laughed, we cried, we loved, we got mad and we made up. I miss her a great deal. We use to talk for hours about God, politics, people, antiques, art, everything. I will miss talking to her by phone, I will miss seeing her and hearing her laughter. She has gone home to be with her father in heaven, for that I am happy. She had a lot of questions of God before she died, I know that she is asking him questions now of all the things she ever wanted to know and no one could answer for her down on the earth. She is having fun. As this weekend gets closer, I find myself remembering all the good times, all the fun we had. In honor of you Aunt Phyllis I write this, for you there will always be a warm spot and laughter in my heart. Thank you!
Blogged by Anna