How swift the summer goes,
Forget-me-not, pink, rose.
The young grass when I started
And now the hay is carted,
And now my song is ended.
And all the summer splendid;
The blackbird’s second brood
Routs beech leaves in the wood;
The pink and rose have speeded.
Forget-me-not has seeded.
Only the winds that blew,
The rain that makes things new,
The earth that hides things old.
And blessings manifold.
Excerpt from The Everlasting Mercy, John Masefield (1878-1967)
Sometimes we expose our roots just above the water line when the season of the soul shifts in the middle of stacking clean dishes. We’re all showy and colorful on the outside, bare knuckling hope down underneath, until someone trades a bouquet of forget-me-nots for your dish towel. And you smell the rain coming through the screens and watch the leaves shift cameleon.
Welcome to Fall friends. May our hearts rejoice in the hope that change carries.
There’s an opportune time to do things, a right time for everything on the earth. ~Ecclesiastes 3:1, MSG
Shelly, this was positively remarkable–the verse–beautiful, and your photos–stunning! ‘May our hearts rejoice in the hope that change carries.’ yes and amen. (Your new banner is lovely…)
The smell of the rain and the leaves turning… and a bouquet of forget-me-nots. Love it. My favorite season… may it go slowly with manifold blessings for us all. Happy Sunday, Shelly!
Oh, beauty. *sigh* My Saturday has not been so still but this takes me to sweet places here at 1030pm.
A truly lovely post, Shelly, heralding this season change. I was just telling Michael today, “Oh, it really *is* fall.” I felt it in the crisping air as he and I walked hand-in-hand under a lapis-lazuli ceiling. There is something far bluer about an autumn sky, when the sun slants lower and noon shadows cast longer. Though I’m generally not good with change, after such a stifling summer, this shift is welcomed–at last! Actually, one thing I do like about autumn is the exposure you mention–the stripping away of showy facades, of lush-leafy pretense. When all the outer accoutrements are stripped off, and I’m pared down to the bone, I get bone-deep honest with God. You bare your roots a lot on these posts, Shelly, which is why I like you so much. Thank you for walking through our seasons with us, with our shifting shadows, and ever-changing chameleon skin, our exposed, raw places–and for always pointing us to the One who never changes or shifts with shadows. I so appreciate you . . . and I LOVE your poetry photos!!! Just gorgeous!! Bless you so much, and Happy Autumn! Love, Lynn
Your pictures are lovely and inspire peace… just what we all need as we wait patiently for the “right timing”. Blessings to you Shelly 🙂
It struck me the other day how key timing has been in so many pivotal seasons of the soul. That my time table and His are often so different but His is always the best.
Those photos are out of this world Shelly. They are divine.
The first breath of fall has arrived in the Carolinas.
And me, I welcome cool fresh air with open arms.
Me too Debra, and lower humidity please.
Oh, such beauty here, Shelly. Thank you for the invitation to go further in to see. Bless you this weekend.
what pretty, pretty photos and I just love your arrangement … much like a song!
Delightful, Shelly…perfectly delightful!
What a beautiful way to start my weekend, Shelly! I had to work yesterday so I didn’t get to see your beautiful post! Timing is everything, now I can really relax and read this beauty with a cup of coffee by my little garden 🙂 Your words never fail to inspire. lori
What an encourager you are Lori. Thank so much. Hope you’ve had a restful weekend, though a short one. The weather here is gorgeous.
Simply lovely!
Beautiful Shelley, just beautiful!
Fall…my favorite season for so, so many reasons. The cider, the color, the permission to snuggle under a blanket.
Sometimes exposing our roots is the most risky of all. It takes the first step, to begin.
These photos…oh, Shelly! Wish I had that last one greatly enlarged and hanging on my livingroom wall! Autumn—my mostest favourite season! “Happy Fall y’all!”
I’ve always dreamt of visiting our cottage on the lake in Canada in the Fall. The palette of color is a feast for the eyes. I’m praying it will become a reality one day.
Yes, I think the colours in the more northern parts of Ontario are just coming out now, and will probably last a few weeks. They’re just beginning here in Southern Ontario, too. Autumn seems to be the shortest season here, but I love it while it lasts. I pray you will get to visit your cottage one Falltime soon. You would love it!
Oh, your words… Oh, the images… Oh, the blessing:))
Thank you for making your place a continual spot of grace, blessing and inspiration.
So glad that is how its perceived, that is grace.
Beautiful combination of words and photos. Turned my heart to rejoicing and reflecting in our Lord. Thank you so much.
So thankful Joanne.
This. is. gorgeous, Shelly. You’re making me long to go and snuggle under blankets with my little ones and hot chocolate, or play in some fall-colored leaves–all good stuff. Your writing inspires. Bless you, lovely friend. xo