Death of a Season, Life for a reason

Nature abounds in death in Autumn.  That death makes way for other expressions.  It is the pathway to Winter and along that pathway are natural beauties that delight the onlooker and soften the blow of the bitterness that lies ahead.

Seeing the true nature of a tree is what is happening when the earth begins it tilt away from the sun, and the leaves reveal their true selves.  Deprived of sunlight, a part of them recedes bringing forth their true being.  Deprivation is most generally perceived as a bad thing, but; if we look at leaves deprived of their ability to make chlorophyll , we see beauty.  Their true selves shining through, the ground becomes their skirt, scattered leaves adorn not only the wind, but the earth, providing nourishment for the soil.

In witnessing this revelation in nature, could we not transfer this as a revelation of ourselves?  When we are deprived of parts of ourselves or our needs, we are forced to look deeper into who we are and how we want to manifest our true selves.   If and when we show our true selves, we spread the joy and love that lies at our core, and; we blanket others with those expressions, providing nourishment for the soul.

On November 22, 1963, our President was assassinated.  Only a few people in history have lived through such an event.  Soon no one will be alive who was alive then.

That solitary event gave those living through it, a chance to see what can happen in life.  A young mother was left with two small children to raise.  A nation was left without a leader.  Young people learned that fathers die. Somehow, though, facing those frightening realities strengthened the nation, strengthened individuals to be their true selves.  We can face events in life that force us to see our true self and be like the trees in Autumn turning those events into something beautiful and meaningful for all to see.

The trees in Pittsylvania County look tall and proud and strong and fearless.

This isn't my usual fare of Sites & Sounds, but; I am in Pittsylvania County, and; this is what I thought one day while I drifted through its space.  However, I think it follows the theme:  seeing the extraordinary in the ordinary.  I hope you enjoy it and will make a comment.

Miss Betty's Daily Adventures

Miss Betty travels through time and space.  She always has a good day.  There's always fun going on when she's around.    A walk though the park is like a trip to Utopia.  No weapons exist, no hate is felt, no negative thoughts cross her mind, no competition just to prove a point, no jealousy.

So, today Miss Betty awakes to the smiling face of her spouse.  He made the coffee and it smells like heaven opened up.  He bends down and kisses her cheek and the day gets off to a great start!  He says funny things and she laughs like there is no one funnier.  HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!  "Stop, my sides are splitting!"

Breakfast is on the table like magic and tastes like summer and winter had baby chicks and they married a lamb.  The toast is light and crispy, the eggs are easy over, the grits are southern cuisine at it's most basic and delicious.  The butter melts like mountain snow as it slides down the sides of the grits.  Yummy on a plate!

Miss Betty gathers her coat, lunch and water for the day.  She dances her way through the dining room into the living room on her way to the door.  Snapping her fingers and whistling her way down the steps, her husband swoops her up and kisses her on the lips like it was the first time.  The first time he enveloped her soft, silky pink lips between his lightly biting lips, the first time his heart fluttered and she fascinated him, the first time he wanted to be a part of her life, that's how it felt to her.  She had suspended time and space for those few moments; and they were glorious and joyful and titillating.  Every day was a hit parade of joy and acceptance.

The sun shined through the windshield and her sunglasses shielded her eyes.  It was warm and light and the car drove like a dream.  165 miles to the gallon was a great deal.  Just the thought of it sends shivers down her mind.  She makes it happen every day.

Griddle Drum Solo

The rhythm of breakfast beats fast and furiously as the spatula hits the griddle. Voices hum along in early morning chatter as the plates and glasses clatter. Higher pitches from little stitches round out the sound with bright new ideas and just a smidgen of fidget.

The beat goes on as fathers and grandfathers laugh and listen to sons and daughters around the table; friends and neighbors who come when they're able.

The soloist taps with skill, as pancakes flap on the grill. Potatoes sizzle and onions drizzle. Sweet pungent flavor ready for patrons to savor.

The beat of the bacon and home-fried potatoes resounds through the room without any tune. The drummer's solo infuses the space adding nose-pleasing smells to early morning breakfast plates.

A cloudy day fades away, as the waitresses say to you, "Thanks for eating at Ruebens, Too!"

Imaginary Images

High above the roadway, through the windshield, beyond imagination and just out of grasp, giant white wonders exist.     Dinosaurs and ducks, angels and devils float into view, dissipating with every passing breeze. Whipped cream waffles line the sky; temping the taste buds with imaginary sweetness.     Dark masses gather in gloom and grayness, extending their depression over the city, ending at a seamless border.Translucent dimness diminishes the daylight.     Monet-like brush strokes give fame to their frame.Like the ocean upside down, they waft and rush across the horizon and over the landscape.     Large looming clusters shadow the space below like a blimp on it's way to nowhere.Dynamic distractions dive down, reaching out with teasing fingers, never touching the ground.      This "visible mass of condensed water vapor floating in the atmosphere" provides endless imagined images.

I conclude that clouds evoke more emotion and wonder than any definition can express.  

Look up in the sky: it's a bird, it's a plane, 

no, it's a cloud!

Pittsylvania County Virginia is clouded!

Fall Flash Mob

Who doesn't like an exiting flash mob?  

 

Colorful mobs of leaves first fall to the ground, floating and flitting.  

Soon they fit into their surroundings, 

relaxing passively on the ground.  

No longer attached to their life sustaining stems and limbs,

 the fluid leaves their once smooth surfaces.  

With the age of days, they crinkle and brown 

into crunchy light figures subject to the whims of the wind.

Then, the music of wind begins to play.  

The crescendo ascends brown leaves into a swirl of dancing dervishes.  

More and more mobbers join in the deftly planned performance. 

Spinning and floating inches from the pavement, 

others join in as the group swirls past. 

Jumping and dancing round and round, more and more 

leaves abound.

And, just as quickly as it began, like a good flash mob, 

the leaves disperse back into the crowd 

just as steathily as they had entered 

the silently spinning scene.

 

Mother Nature, 

flash mobbing in Pittsylvania County!

A Mailbox in Dry Fork

The mail box:  a small blue box with a portal for material possessions on their way to a new home, monetary obligations being sent, and not least of all, expressions of love.

The mail box has sent many a note, letter and postcard from my hand. Such a simple pleasure to send or receive that precious note from Mom or Grandma,  the blissful joy of a love letter, a thank you note for kindnesses extended in joy and sorrow.

The mail box, an inanimate partner in the joining of two minds, stands alone on the corner always at the ready for that precious cargo.  That mailbox sent cards to a dying mother and an ailing mother-in-law, and unseen sailors at sea.

Today it looks lonely, and; I know why it makes me sad to see it.  There is a loss of habit, a loss of that person who made it useful, that loss of purpose in someones else's life.

Maybe it will look happier tomorrow, or next week or next month, or...

Peace for the people of the world

Pittsylvania County came alive at midnight New Year's Eve 2014.  The sky was clear and bright. The moon was high in the sky providing illumination for the midnight festivities.  Out in my front yard the air was crisp and cool.  The sounds of fireworks and various other popping noises erupted all around.  It's as though we are attempting to catapult ourselves into the next year.

Thinking of new beginnings is exciting:  new love, new life, new sprouts from the garden, new experiences, new opportunities, new friends, new challenges. A new day is dawning and brings with it a new year.  

The people of Pittsylvania County are no different from the rest of the world when it comes to envisioning a fresh start; a chance to wipe the slate clean and make things right or better. We want to lose weight, be healthier, exercise more, eat right, make more money and find happiness. 

Where do we find happiness?  It is so elusive at times, but at midnight December 31, anything seems possible.  In the midst of all the revelry and explosions, we search for peace.  Can people all over the world truly be happy without peace?  

Let us each make peace a priority in our daily lives in 2015. We could do it if we tried.  

The Imagine Peace Tower is calling to us to make a wish for peace, calling without a cell phone, calling without sound, calling to us with the light of peace.  Light gives us glorious hope and unbounded joy.  Let your light shine, and; you will make peace on earth, good will to mankind.  

Love to all...