"Falter"

The following thoughts are from my first guest writer.  She has written her feelings about many of my blogs in emails and comments, and I would like to share this one with you.  Her thoughts and feelings about the oncoming of winter have a new twist. 

Falter

by: Pepper

Well...it finally happened. This morning there was frost on the truck, cold, crisp, clear, and frosty. At 6:15 am, I stood in my driveway staring up at the still night sky. So clear, every star that God has given us was out in all its beauty. The kind of sky that makes you feel like you could just reach up without effort, touch whatever’s out there, and bring it down and hold it. I guess that's what I did; I held what I saw in my heart and said a prayer. It felt good. It felt right. I thought if I can see through the sky without difficulty, could those in heaven see me as easily? It’s just another question in a mind so full of not knowing what to think about.

I don't really like this time of year. The leaves lie dead on the ground, cold, wet, and rotting into next year’s mess. The changing colors from summer to fall have all but gone now. The trees stand in their nakedness, looking sad in shades of black. They sleep without movement. Time stands still, as they wait for that blast of snow and the unforgiving winds that accompany it.

We have the four seasons, and I don't think I would be happy without them. We start with Spring rains, everything turning green and coming back to life. Summers...filled with warm days and nights and living outside in the sun...a special time of the year to gather at the lake and enjoy friends. Fall...the beautiful colors, warm days and cool nights, long walks in the woods, football and tailgating. Winter...cold days, and nights, cabin fever, and snowmen. Laughing with grandchildren while making snow angels, mugs of hot chocolate, and pots of hot soup...and the endless wondering if Spring will ever come again.

 But there's that time between seasons when Fall is done, and Winter hasn't shown up yet. That should be our 5th season. And, I think it should be called, "Falter.” The dictionary’s description of falter is, 1. "To move unsteadily, stumble, totter. 2. To hesitate in purpose or action. 3. To lose effectiveness." Yep... "Falter," 1/2 Fall...1/2 Winter.

Now I go to work each day, and come home to a dark house. I sit with a book and sleep through a movie, and feel the total, "lose of effectiveness." Bring on the snow...lets get it over with…I will be in a mood until it does!