Slim Randles' Home Country

Fall musings

[September 15, 2012]  When the heat of summer breaks, it's a magic time. Here now is a chance to plan for fall. For being afield with a gun or bow or boat or tent. For settling into a new school year. For getting the yard ready for the long, cold sleep to come.

The frantic time is just about over. Soon the cold will come and our thoughts will turn inward once more. We'll think of a warm fire in the fireplace, friends and family visiting, maybe even a class we'd enjoy taking.

Fall, this colorful treasure we enjoy each year, is a gift of contemplation. How did we do this year? Did we accomplish the things we wanted to when spring broke and filled us with energy and enthusiasm, or did we miss the mark again? Perhaps it's OK if we come up short, too, because that leaves us a starting place for the year to come.

And now, as we linger a bit longer over the Saturday morning coffee, we have a chance to ask ourselves where we can improve. When people did nice things for us, did we take the time to drop them a thank-you note? When we heard a friend needed some help, did we volunteer? When the chance came to turn a seemingly serious situation into a lighthearted laugh, did we share this with others? Or did we dump coals on the fire of anxiety and add to the burden?

So ... we failed here and there. OK. But the human spirit says, keep going. Next year will be better. It's in the cool breeze of fall. If you listen, you can hear it ... next year will be better.

And it will.

[Text from file received from Slim Randles]

Brought to you by the personally inscribed new book "Home Country," at www.slimrandles.com.