Autumn Leaves

Autumn Leaves

Dancing, floating, spinning, twirling…

Crunching, sparkling, swaying, turning…

Joy.

Leaves are falling from the trees steadily in the Ozarks right now. Yards and sidewalks look as if they are covered with brilliant confetti… The leaves skitter and slide and dance about as the breezes come and go – and the landscapes have taken on a warm, cozy glow.

Some trees are still green, others are displaying their autumn brilliance, and a few have already shed their leaves completely in exchange for their crisp, stark winter attire.

There are joys to be found in the changing of seasons – brilliant beauty to be searched for and seen….and if we embrace it – there is also childlike fun.

Walking down a sidewalk on a day such as this – do you…

  • carefully walk around the leaves keeping the dust off your shoes?
  • walk by them without even paying attention?
  • shyly or quietly walk through them, celebrating them just a bit but hoping no one will see?
  • Or….embrace the moment and happily and intentionally crunch, crunch, crunch through the leaves taking a moment to celebrate the noises they make and the feel of them crackling beneath your shoes?
  • Or perhaps – drag your feet happily – kicking up the leaves with a flourish on each step – not caring who sees you in your own little celebration of autumn fun?

I vote for the celebrations of choices “d” and “e” myself. Who says you’re only young once? Have fun and celebrate! Whatever you do – find your joy!

Let’s crunch some leaves! 🙂 Dare ya! 😊

Maplewood

As so many people traverse the countrysides this month searching excitedly for the brilliant colors of autumn, it joyfully reminds each of us that hope, joy, and wonder still abound….that despite all of the stresses and demands of daily life – we continue to reach out, to look for the beauty and blessings surrounding us every day, to celebrate the joys and wonder of our world. These blessings are ours to be enjoyed freely.  We must only seek them out and celebrate them!  

If you live in Arkansas or southwest Missouri, making the drive to Maplewood Cemetery in Harrison, Arkansas is time well spent each autumn. A well-known Arkansas treasure, the quiet, always beautiful cemetery is crowded and busy during the fall as people from miles around visit to see the beautiful foliage. The colors are beautiful right now, so if you haven’t visited before, this is a good time to head to Harrison. The images here were taken at Maplewood this week.  If you can’t visit, please “walk” through the beauty here by viewing these photos.  I so very much hope you enjoy them!

If you would like to learn more about Maplewood Cemetery, click here to read an interesting online article by Deb Peterson about the history of this incredibly beautiful place!  I was delighted to find out that the beauty of Maplewood was due to the efforts of dedicated ladies in the 1920’s with foresight and vision we all benefit from today.  What a lovely gift to all of us! What a lovely legacy!

Maplewood Cemetery
Maplewood Cemetery
Maplewood Cemetery
Maplewood Cemetery
Maplewood Cemetery
Maplewood Cemetery
Maplewood Cemetery
Maplewood Cemetery
Maplewood Cemetery
Maplewood Cemetery
Maplewood Cemetery