I looked at the calendar this morning and it confirmed that today is October 18. I looked outside and I saw some autumn-colored leaves, some still on trees and some on the ground. Smoke obscured the horizon, but it was less than yesterday. I mean, I looked at the mountains and they may be smoky, but I can see them again.
We will one day remember this as the summer that turned into fall bringing its warmth and blue skies with it. Oh, sure, it’s a little cooler these days, but it is mid-October. You didn’t think this incredible weather was going to last forever, did you?
It hasn’t all been wonderful. The very cool spring and the overheated summer days messed with my garden, especially the fruit trees, in the unkindest way. This time of year usually creates in me the desire to bake an apple pie, but my best apple tree only had four apples! And then, as if to spite me, the apples ripened and fell to the ground one week in September when we were out of town. I’m convinced the deer ate them. No evidence left.
Before the blueberries were fully ripe, the sun dried them out. Just looked like little, shriveled bits of raisins on the branches. As I’ve complained once or twice to friends (ok, you caught me—it was way more than one or two friends who got to listen to my diatribe), I realized that my garden was not the only one in town that had been stressed and traumatized by the weather. In fact, “stressed” is the exact word the Master Gardner used when he came to look at our yard.
So, there you have it—the balance of nature. Lots of sun and warm to hot days, but a good harvest in the garden. (Quit complaining and take a walk. Great weather for getting outdoor exercise.)
Wait a minute! What’s that? That pack of high school boys running down the middle of the street. They are all in shorts and half of them have taken off their shirts. It’s the cross-country team out for a run. On October 18. No shirts. This is truly a remarkable fall!
I’ve noticed in years past that the folks around here start to get edgy in August if it hasn’t rained all summer. Well, this is ridiculous. It nearly always rains at least a few days in September and October, but not this year. In the darkest corner of my mind, I find myself wondering if the extreme summer into fall weather portends an extreme winter.
The weather report tonight promises rain for this weekend. We shall see. I’m told that weathermen are sent to the Pacific NW to get humility. More often than not, that seems true. It snowed in the Midwest today and our track team is running shirtless. But the rain will come. It will get cold. Enjoy this while you can.
Several winters ago, we had so much snow, Dave had to shovel it off our then flat roof. That spring we had a hip roof installed. Another more recent winter, I had to buy taller rubber boots because when I walked out to get the mail, the snow was so deep it fell into my boots. Perhaps I should invest in some hip waders for this winter.
As I am thinking about all of this, I am reminded of what Solomon said in Ecclesiastes 3: 12 and 13: “I know there is nothing better for people than to be happy and do good while they live that each of them may eat and drink and find satisfaction in all their toil—this is the gift of God.”
I remember now. Complaining just makes me miserable and even at the darkest moments I can find something to make me happy. After all, I have friends like you who put up with me and that makes me happy indeed. And there is much satisfaction in that.
In our Bible study last week we had a list of sins to ponder. The first one was ingratitude. It hit me like a sledgehammer. How many times have I complained and moaned when things didn’t go exactly like I thought they should? First forgive me, Lord, and make my heart more like Yours!