A Colorful Calendar

The calendar says summer will tarry for another few weeks. But Labor Day weekend meant autumn arrived when I was not looking.

The crickets felt it was their duty to warn everybody that summertime cannot last forever. Even on the most beautiful days in the whole year – the days when summer is changing into autumn – the crickets spread the rumor of sadness and change. – E.B. White, Charlotte’s Web

The reality is the sands in this year’s hourglass are two-thirds gone!

What’s more, the garden confirms summer’s ending. The Black-eyed Susan’s lost their charm and petals seemingly overnight. Even the sunflowers, the lovely iced yellow and darker centered first comers, are wilting.

But, good gardening news still abounds on the calendar according to Karel Čapek.

“September . . . is the month when the earth opens up so we can plant again!”  (The Gardener’s Year, page 81)

So,  “. . . this affords us gardeners an opportunity for running again to the nurserymen and to look at their beds and choose treasures for the coming spring. “ (Čapek)

An opportunity to plant again.

Hmmm.  Something wonderful about that possibility, whether it is with the hope of next spring’s flowers, or simply another day to enjoy friendships and adventures.

This summer sped by; a blur of rain, heat, and humidity. Some planting plans went by the wayside; so did other ambitions and plans.

Reading a younger woman’s blog, My Bucket List Did Not Go Well This Year, I gleaned some comfort, even as I realized I forgot to make a summer Bucket List.

Howsome-ever, June, July and August were filled with blessings, joy, and comforts that if I listed them, I’d go over the suggested word count for this blog. So, I’ll be brief : Doug, our kids, their kids, health, friends, a church, air-conditioning, food, clean water, shelter, a car that works, a computer and attending gadgets, books . . . did I mention air-conditioning?

Counting blessings as autumn sweeps in reminds me that as routine as many days this summer were, they were filled with experiences, delights and freedoms millions did not enjoy this summer — a Bucket List for so many!

However fast it arrived, September is an opportunity to plant again. Remember:

Right now counts forever. R.C. Sproul

Prepare today for fresh growth, even in an autumn’s garden, and keep growing. (John 15) It sure beats grousing.

Between the great things we cannot do and the small things we will not do, the danger is that we shall do nothing. ~Adolphe Monod

P.S. If you misplaced your Bucket List this summer, or dread a seasonal chore list, this article might refresh your search. How John Piper’s Seashells Swept over a Generation