So they say simple people have simple ways. This describes me. I found a photo app on my iPhone and it has seemed like Christmas. I am searching for ways to enhance my photos. Waiting for the leaves to fall is an exercise in patience. If you are not careful they change color and then drop overnight.

Maine is in our future for the seventh time. I hear seven is a complete number. Maine has become a second home. We are going to do some Leaf Peeping. Before I started my daily walks at Giant City State Park two or perhaps three years ago I and MJ would take an October drive in the Park to Leaf Peep. Near my birthday on October 24th was the optimal time to Peep…

‘I love being in the woods this time of year,’ Neva J said. ‘It reminds me of Grandma A and I looking for persimmons for dinner when we did not have anything to eat,’ she continued. ‘Grandma A loved to stop and look up at the changing colors of the leaves,’ Neva J said with a wistful grin.

‘What about when you and Grandma A were hunting persimmon and discovered a man laying in the leaves who appeared to be dead,’ asked Billy B? ‘I recall you describing him as having a big gapped tooth grin on his face,’ noted Billy B.

‘The old man was sleeping in the leaves and when we woke him he said that he was having a wonderful dream,’ Neva J said. ‘He said that he had lived in the Woods as long as he could remember and had a delightful life,’ Neva J recounted.

‘Greetings friends you have picked a lovely day for Leaf Peeping,’ Old Man said. ‘How have you been Neva J you are looking well what is your secret to not aging,’ the Old man exulted with a Casanova grin. ‘It must have been 20 years ago I woke to see you and your mom peering down at me under my leaf blanket,’ Old Man said. ‘It was a coat of many colors as the leaves were at their zenith,’ Old Man laughed. ‘Not many see me I blend in with the leaves and the trees,’ he laughed. ‘At times I call out Hello…Hello, and it frightens the Leaf Peepers,’ Old Man guffawed!

‘Would you join us for a glass of Merlot,’ Neva J asked Old Man? ‘Have you any family that live with you in the Woods,’ She asked? ‘Billy B tells me that he hears the trees talking to each other,’ Neva J said with a questioning gaze.

‘Billy B heard me on several occasions as I was blended in with the trees,’ Old Man said with a chuckle. ‘I remain incognito so I do not scare visitors to the woods, ‘he noted. ‘Remember when you tripped and almost fell Billy B I reached out an arm that appeared to be a limb and caught you, ‘ said Old Man. ‘My family are the animals of the forest they have a lot to say if you take time to listen,’ Old Man observed.

‘What is your secret of blending in with the leaves and trees,’ Billy B asked? ‘I have not heard of another person having such unique ability,’ Billy B continued.

‘Well, it happened slowly over many years as I spent time in the Woods and talked with the trees and animals,’ Old Man said. ‘I watched as the animals blended in with the Wood when danger approached and mimicked them,’ Old Man winked. ‘After a while, it became natural as breathing,’ he said as he disappeared into the trees…