Touches of Autumn

The bright summer had passed away, and gorgeous autumn was flinging its rainbow-tints of beauty on hill and dale.

Cornelia L Tuthill

He (God) has made everything beautiful in its time.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 NIV.

Even though the colorful leaves of aspens are my favorite plant of autumn, I also appreciate the many other touches of autumn both in the forest and the neighborhood. Even before the aspens really start turning, ferns begin to show their fall colors. Sometimes brilliant golds interspersed with green fronds and other times subtle shades of yellow with browns and rusts too.

Other plants dress for fall as well. Shrubs with yellow leaves and bright red or orange berries stand out against the green of pine and fir trees. Some shorter shrubs have leaves which appear to be brightly painted as each leaf sports neon yellow highlights on green leaves. Then there are the brilliant reds and pinks of low to the ground buckwheat plants. Tall rusty colored stalks hang like limp flags on a windless day. So many colors and so much beauty.

Seeing all the smaller touches of autumn makes me appreciate the little things in both the forest and life. It’s good to be grateful for the “big” things such as faith, family, friends, fur family, health…. But it’s also good to recognize and be thankful for the little things which touch our lives differently in various seasons. For example, a cool glass of lemonade in the summer, but also a warm cup of mocha or hot chocolate on a frosty fall morning

Today, notice the “little” blessings in your life, whether the laughter of children or simply a quiet moment to glance out the window and see touches of autumn. Breathe in beauty and breathe out thanks!