One of the many advantages of living outside of cities is the ever-present panorama of sky. At our northern home, we had sky over water. Now, in Southern Wisconsin, we view the sky over a park and nature preserve.
This has been an odd summer around here, in that the really warm (sometimes HOT!) weather did not set in until July. Everything is different from last summer. Perennials which were mushrooming and spreading in May, 2010 never even made themselves known this summer until mid June.
Consequently, the obvious harbingers of autumn are late in appearing. Our neighorhood wild prairie has yet to flash in the sun with goldenrod; coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, and Queen Anne’s lace still flourish there. The sumac along the park path barely hints at the glory it will soon display, whereas in most years the turning sumac leaves provide an early sign of change.
The cardinals still “cheer-cheer”, cheering my heart in the process. Mourning doves still mourn their poignant “oooo-oooo-oooooo”, reminding me of catapulting years of mourning doves—since I was a small child, first thrilling to their threnody. Every evening at dusk, a flock of sparrows roosts in the tree outside our bedroom window. They chirp and rustle in the leaves and branches until dark. Then all is still, until the first ray of dawn when the birds resume their chirping, and take off for another day of foraging.
Flocking birds are a sign of seasonal change. I treasure the busy little creatures who hang out in the tree beside our window, because at this point I do not want summer to end. But end, it will!
Meanwhile, the clouds clearly forecaste change—those famous clouds of August. Due to changing air currents, temperatures, and moisture, August clouds are distinctive. After a suddenly cooler night, the clouds are seen as mist rising off the ground in our park. Up north the clouds rose off our lake in August and September, reminding us of the picturesque lochs we saw years ago when we traveled the back roads of the Scottish highlands.
Clouds of change! We who live with four seasons (one of which seems a lot longer than the other three in Wisconsin!) are accustomed to change and ready for it. Already I’ve done some shifting around of clothes in my closet, so that when the first brisk day arrives I’ll have something warmer at hand. I’ve laundered the summer blankets and taken a wool blanket out of its cleaner bag.
I’m preparing my heart for that blast of sheer beauty which Autumn brings—followed by the silent, white months. But we can never be totally prepared for the metaphorical clouds of change in our personal lives. Last year, as August whispered sweet promises around us, little did we know that we were about to enter a ten-month period of severe medical issues—with one emergency compounding another.
We can never accurately predict our seasons of circumstances. All we can do is remember that emergencies are Holy Ground. God gets our attention and speaks to us through times of crisis. All we can do is take off our metaphorical shoes and say “Yes, Lord, whatever You will shall be done.”
Actually, for the Christian all of life is Holy Ground. To recognize that fact is to experience the peace of God’s indwelling Holy Spirit every day, regardless of whatever the clouds of change may bring!
Margaret L. Been, ©2011
Beautiful post and prayers for good health for you and Joe and family.
Margaret… loved the photos especially the second one. I see little sky among all my trees. Keep watching those birds fly by.
Thank you, Ellen, and thank you, Patti! From an expert photographer, that’s encouraging! I am following your example in the garden lately, and taking close-ups. I didn’t know my little camera could do that! 🙂