Leaf Strewn Creek

The day after a night of rain and strong winds, I stood on a little stone bridge and looked down at the creek that runs under it. So many leaves had fallen that you could barely see the water. It was the autumn equivalent of lily pads covering a pond. A very dry summer has made this a tough year for the trees. Many have shed their leaves without the normal show of yellows and oranges. It's been a tough year for a lot of people as well. I stood on the bridge, thankful for the joyful colors of the trees and for the fact that whatever lies ahead, we will keep trying, keep going, keep doing our jobs, just like those trees. 

The Last Red Leaf

Oak Hill Cemetery is a quiet respite from the busier, more tourist-haunted parts of Georgetown. On an autumn afternoon, the trees glowed in the slanting light. With so many golden leaves all around her, the woman who stands on the Lanston memorial reached up for the last red leaf on the branch above her. There she was, arm perpetually raised, gazing at the leaf that remained just out of reach. For a moment, I searched for some mournful significance in this, but those rustling curtains of golden leaves all around me blew it away.

A Line Of Keys

A week ago, crowds at the Houston International Quilt Festival were looking at quilts and making purchases from the vendors. On the third floor, the last classes had been completed and the workers in the Education Office were going about their wrap-up tasks. I left just as the keys to the classrooms had been laid out in numerical order and checked to confirm that they were all there. That striped line represents many days of learning and inspiration shared by almost 150 teachers. A key can be both freedom and responsibility, unlocking the door to something new, then  keeping class equipment and personal possessions safe. It's good to have the key, but everyone is relieved when it rejoins collection.

A Pair Of Flags

As Americans, we have been trained from birth to respect our flag, to feel a sense of pride, ownership and unity at the sight of it. In the midst of the concrete and steel canyons of Manhattan, this pair of flags conspired with the sun and sky  to elicit all of those patriotic emotions. Very soon, the debating, shouting, editorial-writing and finally the voting will be over. The rest of the world admires the United States for our ability and determination to hold elections, then, whatever the results, work together for the good of the country.  I hope we continue to live up to what that pair of flags represents.