TheBanyanTree: The First Hint of Snow

[Margaret R. Kramer]

The color of the leaves has accelerated the last few days and the oranges,
reds, yellows, and browns are amazing.  It’s like seeing all the colors from
a child’s crayon box spread over on the trees.  We’ve had some wind lately,
so some these beautiful leaves are on the ground all dry and crunchy.  Naked
branches are beginning to stretch towards the sky.  And our warm stretch of
sunny and warm days has given way to colder and cloudy afternoons.

Although some areas of the Twin Cities metro have had a killing freeze, my
little garden is still flourishing.  The deer have been eating the pretty
flowers from the impatiens, but the plants themselves haven’t died.  My
hanging plants, usually the first to go in a freeze, are still blooming
wildly.  The summer pinks and blues of the flowers are an interesting
contrast to the autumn reds and oranges.

According to the weather people, a string of Alberta clippers will zoom
through our state.  And because of the dropping temperatures, we might have
a few snowflakes mixed in with sprinkles.  Ray bought a new winter coat.  I
know where my gloves and scarf are.  And our boots are sitting by the back
door, just in case we have a big snowstorm.  Winter is coming and we can’t
stop it.

But we can get ready for the cold weather.  We went grocery shopping last
night, so we’re stocked up with fruits and vegetables and bread and eggs.  I
bought hot chocolate.  We bought a can of coffee.  I plan to bake an apple
cake this weekend.

I also took advantage of being “between jobs” and stopped in at Barnes and
Noble.  I had a list of books I wanted to buy.  I’m bored with the books I
have.  So I wandered around the store, taking in the smell of new books,
touching the covers, and imagining what wonderful worlds each book would
take me to.  I bought the boys Halloween sticker books and a simple
Halloween book for the older one to read.

He’s a whiz at numbers and can add very quickly simple numbers together.  He
went bowling the other night and his score was “one-zero-two.”  He can write
his name and many other words, but can he read?  Is he ready to begin to
learn how to unlock the secrets and discover the beauty of the written word?
Is he ready to give up video games and DVDs and read a book?  We shall see.

As for me, I long ago discovered the joy of reading.  When the snow flies,
when the frost is on the pumpkin, when the wind is rattling the windows, and
the beautiful leaves are flying off the trees, it’s time to light the fire,
make a cup of hot chocolate, settle deep onto the big green couch, and read.

Margaret R. Kramer
margaretkramer at comcast.net

http://www.polarispublications.com
Be a star!

http://www.bpwmn.org
Business and Professional Women of Minnesota

You wouldn't believe
On All Hallow Eve
What lots of fun we can make,
With apples to bob,
And nuts on the hob,
And a ring-and-thimble cake.
~Carolyn Wells