Monday, September 22, 2008

Gratitude Monday - Threshold to Autumn


Today is the autumnal equinox, the day we cross the threshold to autumn.
Fall is the gathering season. The time of harvest and the collecting of the summer’s abundance and the time of shutting down for the cold sleep of winter.
Nights are cold and crisp and days a mix of sun and gray. I can feel myself slowing down and wanting to stay indoors. It’s a time for the last flurry of warm weather work before the other flurries come to drive us indoors.
I’ve always loved this time of year. Harvest on the farm was a busy, exciting time. Bringing in the grain from the field was dusty, but fulfilling. I love the smell of harvest, especially on the warm days that held an edge of frost.
I used to climb in to the grain bin and shovel the barley as it poured in through the auger from our five ton grain truck. I used to hold my hands under the shower of grain from above. It’s a rough, sensual feel.
I miss it and I miss spreading the grain around to the corners and then sitting in the big, square granary window for the next load.
Barley itches. It did not bother me then.
I miss those days, but I have my memories. They cannot be taken from me.
For the times and the memories I am grateful.

18 comments:

the Bag Lady said...

The next time we plant oats, I'll call you to come run the shovel in the granary!!!! (Oats itch, too!)

Great post, dfLeah - it almost made me enjoy Autumn. Until I remembered that it's ushering in that other white season.......

Leah J. Utas said...

Thanks, dfBag Lady. I've never shovelled oats. Could be exciting.

Anonymous said...

I so miss autumn.

Love Texas in that I had grown so tired of shoveling snow---but this time of year I long for Pennsylvania.

Penny said...

Evocative writing. Thankyou for sharing. I feel like I'm jumping in that grain bin right behind you!

TA x

Leah J. Utas said...

Mizfit - Texas doesn't have much of an autumn, then? I had no idea.
If it helps I run more fall pics.

TA - Thanks so much. Come on in! There's plenty of room in a granary.

Reb said...

Great post Leah! I really like autumn, too bad about that next season though.

Really like the photo.

the Bag Lady said...

Oh, yes - I forgot to say - I really love that photo!!!!!

Leah J. Utas said...

Thanks, Reb. Winter does have it charms, though.
DfBag Lady, thanks.
This tunnel under a railway bridge is one of my favourite spots. It's short drive west and it makes for a nice circle drive on warm lovely afternoons.

Thomma Lyn said...

How true. Wonderful memories can never be taken from us and they can help sustain us through rough times. I love autumn, too -- it's my favorite season of the year. :) And perfect hiking weather, too... mmmm!

What a gorgeous picture. And I'm sure it was really neat, growing up on a farm. Thanks for sharing!

Leah J. Utas said...

TL-Fall does offer some magnificent hiking weather. It was the best time on the farm. If I concentrate enough I can smell the harvest.

Hilary said...

That's a beautiful shot. It sounds like you have some lovely memories of the season.

Leah J. Utas said...

Thanks, Hilary. Yes,I do have some wonderful memories of autumn.

Crabby McSlacker said...

Well said.

Fall is indeed a beautiful season an an excellent thing to be grateful for.

Leah J. Utas said...

Thank you, Crabby.

Missicat said...

What great memories! Thanks for sharing. I remember as a child running through piles of fallen leaves, kicking them everywhere! Maybe I will do that again this fall! :-)

Leah J. Utas said...

Missicat, thanks. And that sounds like a wonderful way to spend a glorius fall day.

Anonymous said...

Very good.....nice way to put into words. Thank you!

Leah J. Utas said...

Thank you, Mark.