Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Fall

Sometimes I wish the whole world could be like a Sulamith Wulfing picture. So surreal. So sweet and gentle. I just love the way she paints October:


I am not with those that believe that Halloween is evil. I often have more reason to than most with my husbands job and all... but it seems to me that the holiday has gotten such a bad wrap. It isn't about the death or the demons. It isn't about candy and children asking for treats and threatening tricks. It is about the coming darkness... the beauty in the darker times of the year, and the understanding of the people who have passed on into another place... be it heaven, another life, or whatever you believe.

Those that put bloody hands in bowls and pass out candy dressed like blood sucking vampires completely miss the idea of the season as it was when the traditions first started. And for me it is so sad. There isn't fear in this time of year. There is quiet, there is honor of those that have passed on 'into the darkness', and there is beauty. So much beauty.

I always decorate for fall/Halloween in a very simple way that I hope reflects my belief that the season is a gentle time, even though the darkness is coming.

During the late fall, crows flock... which is not their normal behavior. They are usually pretty singular creatures. But just before the frost, you can start to see them, flocking in trees that are loosing their leaves. This year, in my front window I wanted to show a little bit of that... (plus, 'three little birds' is a favorite song of mine.)

Our coat rack tree has also taken on a fall hue. I cut these sweet little leaves out of wool felt and put them up in place of the flowers that were there this summer.

On Sept 21st we changed the nature table to reflect the changes that were happening outside. We removed the butterflies of Spring and Summer, and added in the browns, reds, and oranges of fall. We also added in beautiful postcards in wooden frames that mark the season with mushrooms, squirrels picking up acorns, and brightly colored leaves.

Soon I believe this table with be bedecked with tiny pumpkins, bowls of acorns, and perhaps even some fun fall crafts that I have cooking up. It looks to be a beautiful season.

"Be the change you want to see in the world."

This is a change I have always wanted to see. Nature, time, the passing of seasons... these are things to be embraced. There are so many other things to celebrate this time of year than death, gore, and fear. The beauty of this season IS the darkness... there is no doubt. But the darkness can be a quiet time... a time of reflection into one's life. A time of love and honor for those that have past on into a place we can not see. A time of putting by and being glad for our blessings. A time of embracing the changes in the year, and celebrating the 'little death' that comes with the first frost of winter. There is so much beauty... I embrace that.

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8 comments

angela recada said...

A beautiful post about a beautiful season. Just lovely.

Holly Lefevre said...

That is a really beautiful way to look at this time of year. It is my favorite time of year.
Holly @ 504 Main

Shari said...

Very nice. The crows in my area are harvesting the walnuts on every tree they can find, cracking them on the sidewalks and street. They come in gangs and move from one walnut tree to the next. The leaves don't turn like they do in the north here in CA but the fall flowers are beautiful, Cosmos, Mums, the last of the pumpkin flowers and of course the turn in to orange of the pumpkin itself. Nice to sit in the cooler air and breathe in the moister air. Yes, nice time of year.

Valerie @ Frugal Family Fun Blog said...

Love it...the crows, the coat rack, the nature table, all of it!

**applause**

I absolutely love this time of year. So beautiful, and it really deserves to be treasured. I'm so happy you posted about this.

gardening gal said...

Well said! I couldn't agree more. What a beautiful time of year to honour the rhythm of the earth, of life.

Your blog has been a recent new discovery- one I am really enjoying!

pink and green mama MaryLea said...

Beautiful post and my favorite quote too!!

The crows make a perfect decoration.

Sulamith Wolfing is one of my favorite artists but I wasn't surprised you have her calendar since we share a brain! : ) I have had her book since high school and now it's one of my 6 year old daughter's favorite quiet time reads, she loves to wander through the pages and explore her lovely drawings. : )

xoxo marylea

Rachel said...

Love your coat rack! Great idea!

Susan said...

I love this post! I agree completely about this time of year and you put it so beautifully!

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