whimsical wednesday!

even though company will be arriving later today and they could have been invited to participate in whimsical wednesday with me, i could not wait.  at first light i was out to feed the animals and, soon after, i was roaming the trails, bucket in hand, poring over the leaves that carpeted the earth.

because the activity was supposed to be more of a game, i created one for myself.  at least 100 leaves had to be collected, if i touched a leaf it had to be put in the bucket.  the walking was slow and the leaf examination careful as i had to be sure before touching a leaf.  some were touched quickly for it was only an instant that i knew that particular leaf belonged in the bucket.  others took longer because those leaves were quiet and needed more time to be heard.

monday, after posting the activity for the upcoming whimsical wednesday, i was involved in my usual activity....joining the quilting group.  the group quilts for charity and all manner of quilts for all manner of persons are created.  my job is to machine sew together the layers of the small quilts for children.  as i sat at the machine i listened to the ladies complain about the leaves.  my ears perked up since leaves were on my mind......  oh, the colors were dull, not pretty this year. the leaves were falling too fast.  the leaves made a mess.  leaves from neighboring yards blow into their yards; they shouldn't have to rake leaves that don't belong to them.  the oak leaves are the worst because they fall all season long and into winter no less!   "oh, the nerve of those leaves!!!!" i thought as i listened and sewed.

there is no leaf raking on the farm.  the wind blows them about and they land where they land.  watching them blow about and come to live on the earth instead of in the trees brings great pleasure.  walking among them is like being with friends.  that is what i savored this morning as i gathered leaves.  the ones that shouted "look at me!" are vivid among the others and stand out; noticing them takes no effort.  the quiet ones are the ones that thrill me.  the colors, shading and patterns are subtle and reveal their beauty when picked up and looked at closely.  as i returned to the house, the bucket full of beautiful leaves, i thought, "the ladies don't know what they are missing!".

something had to be created with the leaves, per the dictates of the activity.  as i came into the kitchen i spied the cobalt blue bowl full of red apples on the table.  i instantly knew that would make a great home for the leaves.  the apples remained in place and the leaves positioned among them.  another game was played.  the leaves had to be placed in the bowl as they were layered in the bucket.  no picking and choosing.  this made the challenge of arranging more interesting.  one by one the leaves came out of the bucket, held and examined for shape, color and size, then placed where best suited the leaf and emerging arrangement.  when the bucket was empty and the bowl full of leaves and apples, i stepped back to admire.  ah, nice.

then i enjoyed a mug of hot chocolate!  =]