I was out wandering around my yard this afternoon and it is sad to see all the flowers gone and the bushes all leafless. As I looked across the field at the back of my place it looked so barren and stark already. 

The geese have gathered and flown away to wherever they go for the winter and there are no butterflies flitting around and there are no little birds chirping. It is sad to see all this beauty gone already. It seems like this year has flown by or maybe it is just that the older I get the faster time flies. 

The nights have grown chilly and I just know that old man winter is not too far away now. When I get up the ground is covered in a blanket of sparkling white frost and the air is nippy with the breath of the oncoming winter. As I stand at my balcony doors waiting for my dogs to come in from the yard I already long for springtime. 

For some reason this particular time of year with fall passing into winter saddens me somewhat. I am a real spring/summer person and the beauty of freshness and warmth gives me a sense of energy. The fall/winter season makes me melancholy and kind of listless it seems.

I find the fall/winter season brings memories of loss closer to my mind. I find myself missing my loved ones more at this time of year as well. My body feels more pain as the coldness sets into the ground and I know it is time to prepare for the months of being pretty much closed up inside the house. I tend to lock myself away from the world as this time of year approaches.

It is hard to believe that the Christmas season is only a few short weeks away again. Before the summer has barely faded, the stores have Christmas stuff on the shelves and the kiddies are making their lists for Santa already. There is pretty wrapping paper and decorations in the stores and the TV and radio are already into 
Christmas advertising. 

Christmas card lists are being made up and menus being planned for holiday dinners and parties. It seems that Christmas is half over before it begins these days. What ever happened to the handmade presents that took months to make and that brought such pleasure and warmth to the receiver? How did we get so commercialized and rushed? When did a package from a high priced store become more important then a gift made from someone's heart? Or if you do buy from a store instead of create on your own - what happened to sensible things that are needed instead of something that the receiver sets up on a shelf and never uses?

Whatever happened to taking the time to find that perfect gift instead of picking up a catologue and ordering off a page because it is easier and most times choosing something that looks good instead of choosing something that is quality and 
will last?

Whatever happened to stringing popcorn and cranberries to wind around the tree and making cutout snowflakes? Many trees became a magical beautiful sight to see with the old fashioned decorations made by hand during family time. Ornaments which were made from pine cones and glued on sparkles were so pretty. Things made with macaroni and spray paint used to glisten.

A kitchen filled with wonderful smells coming from the oven of gingerbread men and homemade Christmas cake and Christmas pudding is nearly a thing of the past. Instead folks pop into the bakery or the local grocery store for packaged cookies and cakes because it is faster and easier. Where is the love and tenderness in taking off a piece of cellophane from some product made on an assembly line?

Ah well - I guess maybe I am still an old fashioned gal who thinks that making something with my own two hands and a heart full of love should still mean 
more to folks. 

I guess I am one of the few who still feels that biting into a homemade piece of fudge and knowing all the ingredients means more then opening a package from some factory, that is full of preservatives and heaven knows what else.

I know there are still some folks out there that are like me and they too are standing somewhere wondering the same things that I am.

until next time
hugs
Misker