A Most Welcome Change

mums for sale

Autumn weather [finally] showed up here in North Central Florida this weekend. Ahhhh!

morning bike ride

Our porch thermometer was barely reading at 60 degrees early this morning, clearly indicating that my usual shorts and sleeveless tops for the bike ride could be pushed aside for longer pants and my bright yellow hoodie. Black-and-yellow is my standard uniform for the bicycle rides no matter the length of the pants and sleeves. 

I've got a collection of black shorts, capris, and long pants to wear with yellow sleeveless tops, T-shirts, and long sleeves. Also in my closet is one of those construction-type vests in chartreuse yellow. It's hugely important to dress to be seen by the traffic.

entrance from the parking lot

Although we don't have the climate for the traditional signs of autumn that so many of my blogging friends have been featuring, our produce farms have issued invitations to see what they've got to offer.

The TV weatherman began touting a more favorable forecast on a day when I had an appointment out toward one of those farms. We decided to go check it out.

We were not disappointed. The mums, the pumpkins and scented candles were all there, as well as recently-harvested produce neatly stacked on tables.

Shopping with the intention of bringing home some specialty jam or other foods, I came across Gator Jam. An examination of the label  told me there was no alligator preserved in the mason jar, so I assume this product is meant to accompany gator meat. We don't eat reptiles of any sort, so I passed on this garnish. There was also some seedless blackberry jam that I meant to pick up before leaving, but as it turned out I got distracted and forgot about it.

There was cute autumn decor (I don't like to say 'Halloween') but as I've said many times, seasonal decor has to be kept someplace for 10-11 months out of the year. These +55 retirement houses don't have a lot of storage options other than what we use all the time. So I enjoy looking but seldom buy any of it.

There was a homey sitting area that may have been intended for seasonal photographs and such. These people were very comfortably stationed in the easy chairs and did not look to be inclined to get up. We did not get our pictures taken there.

Out behind the shopping area was at least one bounce house for the kids and a very large field of bright yellow sunflowers. There may have been a corn maze, but there was a cost for venturing into those areas, so we skipped that. It was a Thursday when we visited, so we saw no children at the bounce house.

I was very pleased to see somebody had made available these Our Daily Bread devotional booklets. Do any of you read Our Daily Bread? I got it via snail mail for many years and then transitioned to their on-line version. It's good for a quick read when positive inspiration is needed.

After checking out the fresh produce, the canned products and home decor, I settled on a jar of Bacon Jam. I enjoyed it a couple of years ago when I bought some as a gift for a relative. Gary made a disdainful face when I told him I was getting it, which means I won't have to share with him! 😋

As I was paying at the register, the gal talked me into adding a fresh loaf of sour dough bread to my total purchase. That was two days ago and only one slice of the bread is left. Gary has been glad to help me with that but he puts fruit jam or peanut butter on it instead of the Bacon Jam. We also used it for grilled cheese sandwiches.

I don't mention my children often because whatever I would want to share about them is their story (with the notable exception of Jr's wife's mule, which is just too good to pass up!). But Jr sends me these gorgeous pictures from their part of the country, where there are more Aspens than Maples. It's okay with him if I share with you.

Off and on over some 40 years of my adult life, I lived within a short drive of the Rocky Mountains, so the autumn color I'm used to is primarily the many shades of the Aspen trees' golden yellows. They blanket the mountain slopes, contrasting sharply with Evergreens and Blue Spruce. It's a stunning sight. I miss seeing them. It's been about eight and a half years since we left Colorado for Florida.

I've heard from more than one source that this year the Rocky Mountain West has more reds showing up, which is a remarkable change, and welcome, I'm sure. 

Here in Florida, we do have the four seasons, but (in my opinion) you have to live here for a few years to be able to notice the subtle changes from one to another. 

Now that I'm older, I do enjoy living here in this sub-tropical climate. In a future post I'll share a recent adventure where I took a lot of snapshots, including the one above this paragraph. We don't have the golden Aspen trees here, but we do have an abundance of jaw-dropping nature to enjoy. 

There is unique beauty and opportunity everywhere if we will just look around and open ourselves to the possibilities. 

Over the years of my entire life, I have lived in eleven states and one Canadian province. This particular scripture verse has taught me to choose acceptance and contentment when change was required:

... I have learned, 

in whatsoever state I am,

therewith to be content.

Philippians 4:11 KJV

The Apostle Paul, in saying "whatsoever state," was probably referring to whether he was free or in jail, but his words can apply to all of us as we face circumstances that may be other than what we would choose. 

Another verse that has been both instructing and comforting to me is this:

Now acquaint yourself with Him

and be at peace.

Job 22:21 NKJV

Until next time, grace and peace.

--------

Anonymous comments will be deleted unless the writer is identified in the body of the comment.