A fortnight has passed since the storm passed through.  There was a lot of rain and there were winds blowing with a fierceness, that we hadn’t seen in a long while.  We lost power early that morning.  It turned out to be an all-day event. 

Branches with leaves still green fell- and acorns too, yielded to the billowing wind.  The rain seemed to come down “in buckets”. The world was the color of tarnished silver- and in the absence of lamps, so was the house.   It was too dark to read, and to paint flowers.  It would have been a good day to watch an old movie.  Thank Goodness, I could make a pot of soup, at least so I did that.   In my zeal to live simply. . .I confess, that I sure  missed electricity. 

I thought a lot of things on that quiet day.  

 Since the storm, there has been  very little sunshine., not a  shadow is cast, not a streak of light anywhere.   The hours all look the same.  A few bright yellow leaves, loosened by the wild wind, seem to fairly shine, in the dimness.  The squirrels are working with great fervor, to collect the acorns, as I collect the branches.  They do not even shy, in my presence. 

I love the shift in the weather.  I always love the arrival of autumn. This year especially, after such a cruel summer, that wilted everything.  I made more scented pine cones this week and hung a simple wreath on the front door.  I also made a pine arrangement with sprigs of white berries, that I found in the yard, as I worked.  Both things had fallen before their prime, but what a lovely pair they made!   

I like for the house to reflect the seasons.   My cleaning products are now concoctions of  autumn aromas, like apples, cloves and spicy orange.  At long last, the kitchen, is likely to smell like fresh baked  bread or  something slowly simmering on the stove. After a season of salads-it feels so good to bake, in an almost chilly kitchen.  My next project is making pumpkin butter. 

I finally got unemployment.  I am thankful, but I am on a short shoestring budget.  There is little room to buy anything that is not absolutely necessary.  Sadly, chrysanthemums are not  a necessity.   . .yet there is a large planter, that begs for some “autumn” joy.  I must third guess such things.  Still, I do not feel deprived-for I am not. My cupboards are not bare and the dog has a bone.  I have a roof, over my head(that does not leak),  I live in a peacful and friendly neighborhood.  I love and I am loved. These are not small things.  These things are wealth.

Prosperity is often measured in ” dollars and cents” .  Abundance of things (that break, tarnish or glitter temporarily) also gets put into the equation.  It is a tiring and fruitless quest to accumulate ” enough’ ,  . . and endless.  Tragically, such a ” legacy”  is liable to get stored in boxes, to be sold at a garage sale . 

Know, that I want things too. (remember the chrysanmums).  When I left my beloved Farm Life,  and down sized to a small cottage, I was forced to get my priorities in order. Everything would not fit in a home half the size of the farm house.  Losing my job, demanded that again, I consider things and carefully  sort out what  is a financial necessity versus what is not . Being older,  has an advantage in such a predicament.  There is no better teacher, than “Experience”.  Besides, I have never lived on Easy Street.   . . .not even in such a neighborhood.  It is possible to have little money and yet to be very happy

Now, it is that wonderful time, we call “October”.  The sky in October, makes me want to rise early.  The leaves will soon come into their glory days and stun those who take notice.   One day they will waltz in a  brisk, cheerful  wind and I  plan to stand in the midst of them and watch in wonder.   October is a lovely affair.