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Pumpkins and Butterflies
Stop, look, listen, and smell
Those of us living in the Northern Hemisphere have just entered the dark half of the year. As a supremely solar person, I feel a twinge of sadness knowing of the darkness and cold that is to come. But if I can stop thinking of the future and focus on the present moment I am downright euphoric.
Autumn is one of my favorite times of the year. I love the balance of light and temperature. Unlike summer when it is too hot and winter when it is too cold, in Autumn I can leave my windows open all day long. I like that. It makes it easier to listen to the birds.
Everything is in motion here in the little town in which I am currently living. The birds are migrating and so are some butterflies. This is one of only two times a year that we have monarch butterflies around here. Of course they are only passing through on their way to Mexico. Every time I see one I bless it and wish it well on its journey.
The pumpkins are moving, too. With the help of farmers and thieves, they are moving from the fields into town where they congregate at the farmer’s market and roadside stands before dispersing to homes throughout the town.
I like pumpkins — especially those that have not been carved up. It is probably because they are orange. When I was a kid orange was my…
