There is something enchanting, magical even, about falling leaves. They don’t just flutter to the ground, they dance and whirl, as if enjoying their freedom. Even when they land they aren’t content to lie still, they take flight again in a gust of wind or in the wake of a speeding car. I could watch this ballet for hours, except you never know where the next show will be.
I recently spent a weekend chasing fall around Western North Carolina and while the colors weren’t as vibrant as what I’ve seen in the past, there was a different beauty to the landscape. Perhaps spending my whole life in Florida with little to no fall color that made this trip so spellbinding; maybe it was the much needed reprieve from the stifling heat; or maybe it was taking the time to see the world from a different perspective.
As I watch my photos from this trip slip through the screensaver on my computer, I’m struck by the thought that fall is a chance for God to show us what a master artist He is. There is the side of a mountain with red, yellow, and orange spattered among the deep green of the pines and spruce. There are the fallen leaves, some brown, some still golden, that found a resting place on a moss covered rock in the rushing rapids of a clear stream. In the front yard, red and pink roses are still blooming in front of trees that are changing color daily.
Back in Florida, I can immerse myself in the photos and videos from this trip and find inspiration. There is so much beauty in the world, sometimes we just have to take time to change our perspective.
Fall is one of my favorite seasons… when you can see the colors… Here in Santa Monica it’s green, green and green. But still beautiful.
What a beautiful piece, Rebekah. Your words made the scenes as real as your lovely photos. You’re a poet and don’t know it.
Thank you DiVoran. You know me, though, I was rewriting it in my head today. 🙂
I live in south-central Texas. We don’t get much color around here. Some day when I retire from my “real job”, I’m going to travel every fall. I think it will inspire me to write something amazing! Nice post, Rebekah!
I hear retirement is wonderful. I think I’ll be working until I’m 80, but I may still have a couple of good trips left in me.
I’m from the North – NW Ohio, in fact and up here, God is in every season. I enjoy the monochromatic displays of frost on the windows – except when I have to scrape them to drive the car, but when I sit in the kitchen and look out and see the fantastic designs the frost has created, I sit in awe. The white on white is great but I also look forward to the burst of Spring colors followed by the Summer greens and finally Fall’s robust earthy colors. God is in every tinge of color.
I know what you mean, Bob. They are all beautiful; fall and winter are probably the most fascinating to me since I don’t get to experience them for more than a fleeting minute when I leave Florida. I like hearing there are others out there who understand the monochromatic beauty of winter though.
Very gorgeous photos!
Thanks, Elyse. I tried to get my photographer friend to go with me. When he saw the pics I took with the iPad he kicked himself.
Welcome home, Rebekah!
As an almost native Floridian, I miss the fall colors we had in TN and VA, but I have to say that our local reds and yellows are amusing 🙂 We have red flowers we call Shepherd’s Purse, red leaves and berries on the dogwood trees, lots of goldenrod and anemones similar to black-eyed Susans, and bright yellow flowers then apricot blooms on the Raintrees. In our yard, we also have a crop of red star-shaped flowers with tiny balls in green flowering just before Christmas. Love the diversity in God’s creation!
I need to come check out your garden, Mary! I stock up on mums this time of year to get my Florida fall color. 🙂