Autumn in the Country

Means more to us this year than ever before, this beautiful country autumn, the cool crisp air, the smell of the wood smoke from the chimney, the leaves drifting down.  Less than two months ago, we were living in the middle of suburban Las Vegas, no trees, no yard to speak of -- and no real prospect of moving anywhere else any time soon.  But, look where God has brought us!  He is so good.  And we are so thankful!

We memorize poems regularly as part of our schooling -- partly because it's a good discipline, partly for literature appreciation, but mostly because this musical group of children gets a charge out of the rhythm and meter -- and I love the words.  Here's the autumn poem the children just memorized, from a Catholic 5th grade  Prose and Poetry text book from the 1950s...

Brave Piper October
by Sr. Mary Madeleva

Brave piper, October, what tune do you blow,

That the leaves are bewitched, and wherever you go

They flutter and follow, agleam and aglow?

From oak tree and bramble, from high tree and low,

They come to the sound of the piping they know,

And down from the tall trees of heaven -- Oh Ho!

Come dancing and glancing white leaves of snow.

Hopefully no white leaves of snow for a while yet, though!  We're enjoying the pleasant autumn weather, anticipating raking the leaves and having an autumn leaf bonfire before the snow flies.  Check out the new fluffy leaf shawl our little house is wearing.  Tre chic!

And here's Jack, looking more and more autumn stylish, with the carpet of leaves beneath him and his pumpkin accessories.  We plan to do some pumpkin carving this weekend...  Will maybe actually even post pictures of the results...