signs of fall

fall
rain pelts at my windows
it bounces and spatters on the ground
puddles form all around
it’s perfect for jumping in and splashing

fall
wind rustles all the leaves
that cling so ferociously to the trees
while multi-colored leaves already
lay haphazardly on the ground

fall
pumpkin-filled porches are everywhere
children excitedly deciding on their costumes
while the scent of cinnamon and clove
wafts ever so gently on the air


fall
it’s a time to snuggle ‘neath the warm blanket
for savoring the glow of the fireplace
with a book in one hand
and a mug of warm tea in the other

oh yes,
I do love
fall

the path

the path is
strewn with
autumn colored leaves.
wet from last night's rain;
leaves lay, like a
colorful, slippery carpet.

I run along the path-

feet hitting the trail
in a rhythmic pattern,
chest lifting as lungs fill
with the cool fresh air-
heart-beats keeping time with the strides,
and thoughts all to myself
this is my time...just mine.

the path, empty.
not another soul-
just the tree-lined path and I.
peaceful. beautiful. quiet.
alone time at it's best.

looking up ahead
I see the path wind and twist
towards a small wooden bridge,
slowing down to notice the stream-
listening to it lap against the shore.

this path and I.
we are friends.

I will be back very soon
to run with you, my friend.

wind in the willows

the willow branches sway
and blow haphazardly
as fierce gusts of wind
blast through the trees

leaves and small limbs
litter the ground
and surrounding area
as the wind continues
to shake and bend the trees

farm animals are
hunkered down safely,
in their barns

the autumn storm
has arrived just like
it was forecasted
leaving debris scattered
across the lawns and
nearby neighborhood

but, inside the old farmhouse
there is a soft glow
from candles burning,
the warmth of the fireplace
and the scent of soup on the stove
which makes coming in from the storm

a safe haven

Fall

Fall.

a blanket of colored leaves

covers the ground

gentle wind fills the air
blows through the trees

the changing of seasons

autumn colors

cooler weather

warm spicy drinks & sweaters

Fall.

pumpkin fill porches

Pumpkins fill porches

cooler air brushes my skin

warmer by the fire

leaves

outside on a walk
leaves crackle under my feet
squirrels gather their food

Falling leaves

Colored leaves falling

bare branches standing alone

sweater wearing time

Autumn Haiku

Autumn

A book in my hand
tea and the crackling fireplace
signs that Fall is here


Melody Olson

a healthy habit

a daily walk or run

time alone

all to myself

something that I do daily

it is mine and mine alone

I can spend it:

praying, singing, praising, meditating

a daily walk or run

outside in the fresh air-

great for my health and attitude

but, oh so good for my soul!

simple words for today~

simple words to describe

today

clouds swirl above

the wind blows
trees bend

while the sky turns gloomy

it's the perfect kind of day

to stay inside

curled up with a

book

sneaking in a nap

or two.

hello autumn. hello fall.

hello autumn

hello fall

the glow from the fireplace

reflecting off my face

as i sit with 

a book and coffee

hello autumn

hello fall

the sound of leaves

crunching under my feet

while i go for my daily walk

hello autumn

hello fall

bright orange pumpkins

 &

funny shaped gourds

sitting on porches

everywhere i look

hello autumn

hello fall

warm earthy colors:

burnt orange

yellow & gold

magenta red

dark brown

shades of

greens and dark purple

hello autumn

hello fall

scarecrows & cornstalks

hello autumn

hello fall

boots, scarves, hats

&

cozy sweaters

hello autumn

hello fall

pumpkin spiced lattes

cinnamon tea

hot apple cider

hello autumn

hello fall

shorter days

cooler mornings

hello autumn 

hello fall

soup in a crockpot

football on tv

hello autumn 

hello fall

spiced scented candles

warm cozy blankets

all this

and so much more...

oh yes,

hello autumn

hello fall

it's the little things.

life like time

is changing fast.

looking forward to tomorrow

while not forgetting the past.

life like time

just keeps on turning.

accomplishments and failures

turned into learning.

life like time

the big and small.

each day, month and year

i am grateful for them all!

melody-mae. 2014

some sweet moments:

my husband, daughter and grandson visiting my mom in law

in the care center.

receiving pictures of my sweet new grandson

who lives overseas.

drinking coffee by the fire

while it rains outside.

a morning walk.

signing up to run an ugly sweater 5k 

with 5 of my most sweetest 

and long time friends!

my view of beautiful Mt. Baker

it starts to look and feel like the holidays

once the satsumas come out!

&

we eat them like candy around here. :)

a few moments of my past week
caught on film.
the big and small.
yes, i am so very thankful
for them all!!

i am linking up to  SWEET SATURDAYS!!

will you join us?
link up a photo or some sweet moments
that you recognized this week.
the big or the small.
they are all lovely!

link up here: SWEET SATURDAYS!!

spring is in the air

spring is in the air

all you need to do is

sit and listen---

birds sing

the wind blows gently

and mr. sun warms the skin

ever so nicely

flowers bloom

trees blossom

bees buzz

and 

butterflies float---

laughter rings out 

from children

playing in their yards-

racing through sprinklers

playing catch

and enjoying

the fresh air

the morning

brings a fresh scent 

from the evening's 

gentle rain...

as the sun glints off the

still snow-covered

mountain tops.

such a lovely time of year-

spring is in the air!

everywhere you go-

it is there to

 enjoy.

on my porch swing

i watch and i listen

 to

 the world

go by;

soaking it in...

it is good

and i want to treasure it!

to enjoy 

each and every 

moment

of 

spring time---

simply smile

in the silence
in the stillness
of the morning
i sit;
coffee in hand
with the beginning of
a new day, a new week
stretched out before me.

the to-do list is long
and still i sit;
contemplating on
how i can make a difference
this week.

if i can make a difference to
just one person.

somewhere right now
someone is;
waiting. hoping. wondering.

they wonder;
will someone notice?
will anyone show them they care,
that they even matter at all?

a simple act of kindness

opening a door for the person
who has their hands full.
letting the person go ahead
of you in line, because
they have just a few items.
maybe a quick note to tell someone you care.

smile.
a simple smile.
it doesn't cost you a dime
but, the small act
can mean a million.
in an instant your sweet smile
can light up their life.
maybe they have been sitting in darkness
waiting for someone
to notice.
to care.
to just smile.

look into their eyes
let them see you 'shine' your light.
listen with your heart
and the rest will follow.

will you join me?
be the change this week?

hopes

my hopes & dreams 

for the new year

flood my thoughts

as i sit here

reflecting on the year gone by

 places to travel

people & loved ones to visit

things to do

crowd my mind 

as i sit here

reflecting on the year to come

showing my love

shining my light

reading more

loving intensely

the list goes on & on

as i sit here reflecting
on my life

peace. love. happiness. thankful. grateful

may i not miss a chance to shine

happy 2013

it arrived.

fall has arrived

bright orange pumpkins
and colorful gourds

scarecrows and cornstalks

fall brings cinnamon spice tea
and pumpkin spice latte's

the glow from our fireplace
lit last night

warm fuzzy blankets

cozy sweaters, tights and boots
have been added in to
the wardrobe again

a hat & gloves when i
went on my morning walk today-

all of these little signs
and much more
mean that fall has arrived.

what does fall mean to you?

real or not real?

when i wake

in the morning

i remember-

i feel like

it could be a dream?

i am reminded

of the book

hunger games,

where the character

peeta asks

katniss,

real or not real?

because, it does not

seem possible

yet

that he is gone.

 i do not 

see or hear

him running 

around the house,

or playing on 

the farm

i think of him

when

i see our tractors-

his

'mighty machine' 

parked in the backyard

right

where he left it.

his barn boots waiting 

to be slipped on,

so he can follow

gramps around 

the farm-

his laughter & giggles 

remain

still thick

& heavy

 in the air-

his cousin asks:

"where did jack go?"

it seems 

so quiet,

ever so quiet.

i know

i should embrace this

quietness,

which i fully

intend to do-

it is the 

healthy thing

to do,

it is

right thing

to do-

i also know that

i am

not the only granny 

in the world

to live far away from her

grandkid!

yes, this i know!! 

i also know

that the reason

 he is gone, 

is for the 

greater good,
that lives will
be changed!

that our God is using
this family
for his purpose.
&
that God will
be glorified
in it all-

but
for right now,

it is too 

raw, fresh, new

and i ask myself:

real or not real?

soar

yesterday, 

as i went for my morning walk

down our lane

on the farm...

there he was

again

at the very top of the tree

(the left tree in the photo)

a bald eagle

he sits there

watching over the fields

so majestic

as i get closer

he tilts his head,

watching me

ever so carefully

and then...

as i get close

off he goes-

all at once

he spreads those amazing

wings

and soars

through the sky

and into the clouds

he soars

on days like this

when the sun is out

and the 

canadian mountains are in the distance, 

with beauty

all around me

i just stop

and take

a deep breath

just to soak it

all in,

to be thankful

oh yes,

life is just beautiful

isaiah 40:13

But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. 

They will soar high on wings like eagles. 

They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

ready or not?!

trying not to

hang on so tightly

this i know;
i need

to set them free

deep down i know

they need to go

out into the world

to shine their light

to share his love
with others*

to live confidently
on their own
so very
far away from
home

i cannot smother
i must not cling
but, to let them
go and spread
their wings

a hole
in my heart
left by their
absence

i know, yes, i know
it is time
it is right
to take a deep breath,
to smile
 through
this emptiness
and to be ever
so proud
of them

as hard as it is;
ready or not
i will let go

melody-mae

*our daughter tawni, her husband sean
along with my three year old grandson, jackson
will be moving at the end of july
to vienna, austria for missionary work
http://seantawn.blogspot.com/

the view

v is for view~

the view

from my window

as i sit in my chair-

grass & sidewalks

wet with the recent

rain.

grey clouds

and a chill in the air.

the view 

from my window

as i sit in my chair-

watching the neighbor's

chickens roam 

around the yard

after the fresh rain,

a crowing of the 

rooster...

yes, this is home.

the view 

from my window

as i sit in my chair-

listening

to the cows

and little calves

and they 

call out to each

other...

yes, this is home.

today is

the kind of day

to sit in my chair

and enjoy 

the view.