The Habit of Thankfulness: A Few of My Favorite Things

Sept 9th- A few of my favorite things...
~An apple on the cusp of being ready to pick
~Realizing the coloring on the wasp's face him look like he is sticking his tongue out at you
~The scent of fresh picked tomatoes from the garden

The Habit of Thankfulness: A Few of My Favorite Things

July 2nd- A few of my favorite things...
~An apple patiently growing on the tree
~A frog impatiently waiting for his friend to arrive
~A red squirrel patiently pretending to be a branch until I leave

The Habit of Thankfulness: A Few of My Favorite Things

May 2nd- A few of my favorite things...

~Tulips' vibrancy enhanced by raindrops

~Apple blossoms enjoying soaking rains

~A new leaves getting their first cleansing shower

The Habit of Thankfulness: A Few of My Favorite Things

Oct 12th- A few of my favorite things...
~Golds and reds and oranges lining a cornfield 
~A bright orange nasturtium adding its bit to Autumn's beauty
~Turning apples into the first batch apple butter

The Habit of Thankfulness: A Few of My Favorite Things

Nov 3rd- A few of my favorite things...
~Finding a fly catching some rays on a branch
~Finding a ladybug picnic on a fallen apple...apparently some ants were invited too smile emoticon
~Finding an impressionist's painting of the neighbor's tree on the window

The Habit of Thankfulness: A Few of My Favorite Things

Oct 10th- A few of my favorite things...
~Getting a boost to reach the perfect apple
~The dogwood in its Autumnal hues against the blue sky
~An abundant apple crop from Moriah's tree this year

The Habit of Thankfulness: A Few of My Favorite Things

June 4th- A few of my favorite things...
~Delicate white roses reaching up to a beautiful sky
~Bright red Sweet Williams 
~Little green apples forming on our apple tree

The Habit of Thankfulness: A Few of My Favorites Things

May 12th- A few of my favorite things...
~Raindrops clinging to lilac blossoms
~Miniature droplets on apple blossoms
~Rain-soaked leaves of the purple sand cherry

The Habit of Purpose: Agriculture

“Anyone who has a garden,

park,

or orchard tree

has an opportunity

to ensure

that it offers protection,

brings beauty and

bears fruit for future generations.

In short, 

every one of us

 should aspire 

to be

a forester.” 

― Gabriel Hemery, 

The New Sylva: A Discourse of Forest and Orchard Trees for the Twenty-First Century

The Habit of Walking

I've been a walker most of my life.

I come from a family who thinks nothing 

of crossing the city I grew up in on foot

...and most members still do. 

Because of this, I have been able to observe life 

at a pace that cars 

just won't allow. 

I still love walking today. 

This becomes a particularly amazing practice 

during Autumn

in Upstate New York.

It is a feast for the senses: 

colors for the eyes, 

the scent of newly fallen leaves for the nose, 

the call of flocks migrating  

and rushing waters for the ears, 

the feel of crisp dried leaves 

in your hands

 and 

under your feet, 

and the taste of region's many apple varieties

...awakens the senses to see the goodness of God everywhere.

Wherever you live, take time to enjoy

life at a walker's pace today!

You're senses will be glad you did!