It is very true that Autumn can be one of the loveliest seasons of the year, as the leaves turn to yellow, red and brown. Even plants in the garden look lovely in their autumn array. The birds leave for warmer climes, but we still have many who stay to brave the winter.
As I was washing up recently I thought of how this chore has changed over the years. We have hot water, washing up liquid, dish cloths and scourers. Lots of people, young and old, never have to wash up as they have dish washers. When my children were young we had a rota on the wall in the kitchen (only for the main meal), and if the person for a certain day couldn’t do it, then they had to swap with someone else. It worked very well and just as I still do, they sang as they washed up.
Around the turn of the century in the southern states of America, the boll weevil was destroying cotton crops and the soil emptied of nutrients because cotton was planted year after year. George Washington Carver pioneered crop rotation and urged farmers to grow peanuts. Unfortunately their plentiful peanut crops decayed in the warehouses. They grumbled to Carver and he did what he always did – he prayed. He got up regularly at 4 am, walked across the woods and asked God to reveal to him the mysteries of nature. As a result Carver revealed more than 300 uses for peanuts – everything from shaving cream to glue to cosmetics, and many more.
Home is where there’s someone waiting when you need a kindly smile.
When you are feeling sad and weary and need to rest awhile. Home is where you’ll find a welcome with the love that someone bears.
Love that simply asks no questions, but in all your burdens, shares.
Wishing you all a joyous Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year.
Marie Cove