What came in with the promise of summer leaves with the hint of fall. School begins soon. The custodians are shining the floors. What was a sanctuary of safety is not. Mysterious pleasant music is playing over Brooks Pond. I hear it now and again, and around Christmas. Fernie heard music in Seattle that we did not. Am I walking in her footsteps? Pectoral Sandpiper is out this evening. Merlin tells me I should not be able to hear him in my area. So music and birds of change are busy for the transition.

We quiet folk love the changing seasons. We are cheering above our vow of silence. We are part of something that is so much greater than what we perceive. Home is where we live; we live on Earth. All is green, not for long. Fall’s colors are coming fast. Halloween toys and decorations at
Cracker Barrel. This morning, while MJ and I had breakfast, we heard heavenly singing. A waitress sang happy birthday to a patron. It brought tears to the Old Man’s eyes. When the earthly connects with the spiritual, it is a wonder.

So we walk by faith and not by sight, the Bible tells us. The moment faith touches the angels is memorable. Inspiration comes to us in the evening of July’s End. No faux faith. No theatrical performance. Angels walking with us in the cool of the evening. Time to reflect on the summer, the year, the life. MJ and I learned that a dear friend passed away yesterday. He was a joy. He laughed with each sentence he said. Easy to be with.

We must laugh more. We must sing more. The Tufted Titmouse is singing to the Caspian Tern near the Pond. They know life is for joy. The chapters blow by in a stiff wind. Now is summer; soon fall. The time of sweaters is arriving. A contemplative place in the Woods for the Old Man. The deer watching him with bemusement.

Study, the Old Man said to the young. You will go far in life with a good education. You must prepare for all eventualities. Do not be like the Sloth. Yet the Sloth is eternally happy. He smiles a beatific smile. He is slow, but he gets the work done.